Documentation

Getting Started

Creating Your Account

Sign up at app.bandpilotapp.com with your email address. You'll get a confirmation email to verify your account. Once confirmed, you're ready to go.

The free tier gives you unlimited songs, up to 3 setlists, and 1 band. No credit card required.

Installing the App

BandPilot is a Progressive Web App (PWA), not a native app from the App Store or Google Play. It runs in your browser but can be installed to your home screen for a full-screen, app-like experience.

On iPhone / iPad (Safari)

1. Open app.bandpilotapp.com in Safari (this won't work in Chrome or other browsers on iOS)
2. Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow pointing up)
3. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen"
4. Tap "Add" in the top right

On Android (Chrome)

1. Open app.bandpilotapp.com in Chrome
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right
3. Tap "Add to Home screen" or "Install app"
4. Confirm by tapping "Install"

On Desktop (Chrome / Edge)

1. Open app.bandpilotapp.com
2. Look for the install icon in the address bar (or click the three-dot menu)
3. Click "Install BandPilot"

Adding Your First Songs

Head to the Songs page and tap "Add Song." Enter the title and artist at minimum. You can also add:

• Key — major and minor keys (sharps only, e.g. C#, F#m)
• BPM — tempo for quick reference on stage
• Duration — to track set lengths automatically
• Lyrics — for display and auto-scrolling in Stage Mode
• Notes — arrangement details, cues, or reminders (shown in Stage Mode)
• Tags — organize by genre, mood, energy level, or whatever you like
• Spotify / YouTube URLs — quick links for rehearsal reference

Building a Setlist

Go to Setlists and tap "New Setlist." Give it a name, optionally set an event type (wedding, bar, corporate, festival, or other), then add songs from your library. Drag and drop to reorder. BandPilot tracks total duration automatically so you know exactly how long your set runs.

You can organize songs into sets (Set 1, Set 2, etc.) with breaks in between for multi-set gigs. Each set's duration is tracked separately.

Understanding the Interface

Here's a reference for the icons you'll see throughout BandPilot and what they do.

Primary Actions

Navigation

Stage Mode

Sync & Connection

Status & Indicators

Data & Sharing

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Song Library

Song Details

Every song in your library can hold the following information:

• Title and Artist (required)
• Key — select from major and minor keys
• BPM — numeric tempo value
• Duration — used for setlist time calculations
• Lyrics — full text with chord annotation support
• Notes — performance notes visible in Stage Mode (shown in orange)
• Tags — any number of custom tags for filtering and organization
• Spotify URL and YouTube URL — quick reference links
• Auto-fit override — per-song control over whether lyrics auto-size to fit the screen

Your song library supports sorting by name, duration, key, BPM, average crowd rating, and last modified date. You can also filter by tags and rating level.

Quick View

Tap any song in your library to open Quick View — a read-only overlay that shows the full song details, lyrics, and average crowd rating at a glance. From Quick View you can:

• Scroll through lyrics with keyboard shortcuts (Arrow keys, Page Up/Down, Space)
• Adjust font size with + / - keys
• Open the edit form to make changes
• Close with Escape

Importing Songs

CSV Import

Import songs from a spreadsheet by uploading a CSV file. BandPilot auto-detects column mapping based on header names (title, artist, key, bpm, duration, notes, tags, etc.). If auto-detection doesn't match, you can manually remap each column before importing.

JSON Import

Restore a full backup from a previously exported JSON file. This preserves all song fields exactly as they were.

RTF Import

Bulk import from RTF files or ZIP archives containing multiple RTF files — useful if you have lyrics documents from other apps.

BeatBuddy Import

Upload a BeatBuddy .zip export file. BandPilot reads the folder structure, uses fuzzy matching to connect songs to existing entries in your library, and automatically creates setlists matching your BeatBuddy folder organization. For each song you can choose to match to an existing song, create a new one, or skip it.

Exporting Songs

Export your library from Settings > Data in two formats:

• CSV — compatible with spreadsheets and other apps. Includes title, artist, duration, key, BPM, notes, tags, and URLs.
• JSON — full backup format with every field preserved. Ideal for backups or migrating between accounts.

AI Autocomplete

When adding or editing a song, tap the AI button to auto-fill missing details. Enter a title and artist, and BandPilot's AI will look up the key, BPM, duration, and lyrics. The AI shows a confidence level for lyrics (verified, low confidence, or not found) and how many sources were used. Costs 1 AI credit per use.

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Setlists

Setlist Builder

The Setlist Builder is where you assemble and arrange your set. Key features:

• Drag and drop — reorder songs by dragging them into position
• Search and add — fuzzy search your library to add songs quickly
• Live duration — total and per-set duration updates in real time as you add, remove, or reorder songs
• Song numbering — each song shows its position in the set
• Event type — tag setlists as wedding, bar, corporate, festival, or other for easy filtering
• Favorites — star your go-to setlists for quick access
• Duplicate — clone a setlist (with or without songs) as a starting point for a new gig

Set Breaks & Dividers

Insert dividers between groups of songs to organize multi-set gigs. Each divider can have a custom label (e.g. "Set 2", "Break", "Acoustic Set"). Duration tracking resets per set so you can see exactly how long each portion runs.

In Stage Mode, dividers display a large centered message with the next three upcoming songs, so your band knows what's coming after the break.

Sharing & Printing

Share any setlist with a public link — no login required for viewers. Generate a share link from the setlist menu, then copy and send it to anyone. The shared view shows the setlist name, band, song count, duration, and full song list in read-only mode. You can revoke the link at any time.

For paper copies, use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P / Cmd+P). BandPilot has print-optimized styles that strip away the UI and format your setlist cleanly for paper.

AI Setlist Tools

BandPilot includes three AI tools for building better setlists:

• Optimize Order (2 credits) — rearranges your setlist for optimal flow based on key proximity, tempo progression, and energy arc. Add optional gig context (e.g. "wedding reception, older crowd") for smarter suggestions.
• Suggest Songs (2 credits) — recommends songs from your library to fill a target duration. Tell it how many minutes you need and the gig context, and it ranks your songs by fit.
• Generate Setlist (3 credits) — creates a complete setlist from scratch based on gig type, target duration, and your criteria.

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Stage Mode

Overview

Stage Mode is a distraction-free performance view designed for live use. It takes over the full screen and shows your setlist in large, readable text with no notifications, no UI clutter — just your music. To enter Stage Mode, open any setlist and tap the Stage Mode button.

Navigation & Controls

Move through your setlist with swipe gestures (mobile) or keyboard shortcuts (desktop):

• Previous / Next song — swipe left/right, arrow keys, or J/K keys
• Song counter — shows "Song X / Total" so you always know where you are
• Exit — tap the X button or press Escape

Header Controls

The Stage Mode header gives you quick access to:

• Chord toggle — show or hide inline chord annotations
• Lyrics toggle — hide lyrics entirely (useful for instrumental sections)
• Font size +/- — step through 5 size levels to find what's readable from your position on stage
• Sync — start or join a band sync session
• Switch-Up — search your library for an on-the-fly song swap

On mobile, the header is minimal to maximize screen space. On desktop, all controls are visible in the top bar.

Lyrics & Chords

Stage Mode renders your lyrics with several display options (configurable in Settings > Appearance):

• Auto-fit — automatically sizes text to fill the screen. Can be overridden per song (always, never, or use global setting).
• Font size nudge — fine-tune the auto-fit size with +/- adjustments that persist per song
• Text alignment — left, center, or right
• Chord display — inline chord annotations shown in brackets, toggled on/off
• Section collapsing — optionally collapse repeated sections (e.g. show "Chorus" label instead of repeating all chorus lyrics)
• Break on slash — start a new line before chords beginning with /

Performance notes appear below the song metadata in orange italic text, so you can see arrangement cues at a glance.

Switch-Up Mode

When someone in the crowd asks "Can you play...?" mid-gig, Switch-Up has you covered. Activate it from the Stage Mode header to search your entire library with fuzzy matching. Songs already in your setlist are marked "In Set," and songs you've already played show a "Played" badge.

Select a song to play it immediately, then return to your setlist exactly where you left off. Switch-Up tracks every song swap so you can review crowd requests after the gig.

Crowd Ratings

Rate the crowd's response after each song or at the end of each set. BandPilot offers two rating modes:

• Per-song prompt — a quick 5-star rating overlay appears after you advance past a song (can be disabled in settings)
• Set-end summary — after each set break, rate all songs from the completed set at once. An "All Good (4 stars)" button lets you quickly rate everything and move on.

Over time, ratings build a picture of which songs get the best crowd reactions. Use this data to build stronger setlists — filter your library by top-rated songs (4+ stars) or sort by average rating.

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Band Sync

How Sync Works

Band Sync connects your setlist across all band members' devices in real time. The leader (session owner) controls which song is active, and all synced devices follow along automatically.

• Leader — the person who starts the sync session. Controls playback position.
• Synced users — everyone else. Can be authenticated band members or anonymous guests.
• No account needed — guests join by scanning a QR code or entering a session code. No signup required.

Joining a Session

The leader starts a sync session from Stage Mode. Band members and guests join by:

1. Scanning the QR code — the leader's screen displays a QR code that links directly to the session
2. Entering the session code — a short alphanumeric code (e.g. "ABC23") that can be shared verbally

When joining, you'll be asked for your name so the leader can see who's connected. This is optional — you can leave it blank to join as Guest. Once connected, your device enters Sync Mode and automatically follows the leader's position. If you close the browser and reopen within 24 hours, BandPilot will auto-rejoin your last session.

Sync vs Browse Mode

• Sync Mode — your device automatically tracks the leader's current song. When the leader advances, you advance.
• Browse Mode — navigate the setlist independently. Useful for checking upcoming songs or reviewing lyrics without affecting what others see. Tap "Sync to Leader" to snap back to the leader's position.

Connection status is shown in the header with a colored indicator: the leader sees their sync status, and synced users see their connection state. If the leader goes offline, a banner notifies connected users.

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Bands & Members

Multi-Band Support

If you play in multiple bands, BandPilot lets you manage them all from one account. Your song library is personal — songs belong to you, not to a specific band. Setlists, however, are band-specific.

Switch between bands from the sidebar menu. Each band has its own setlists, members, and sync sessions. Band limits depend on your plan: Free allows 1 band, Plus allows 3, Pro allows unlimited.

Managing Members

Add band members from Settings > Band. Each member has a name and instrument. Members who accept an invite and create an account appear in the member list and can access band setlists from their own devices.

Inviting Members

Invite members by generating an invite link from Settings > Band. You can configure:

• Expiry — 7 days, 30 days, or no expiry
• Max uses — limit how many people can use the link
• Role — member or admin

Copy and share the link. Invitees can accept and join the band by creating an account or logging in. You can revoke any pending invite at any time.

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Offline & PWA

Offline Mode

BandPilot works offline after your first visit. Your songs, setlists, and lyrics are cached locally on your device. Stage Mode, lyrics display, and setlist navigation all work without an internet connection.

Real-time features like Band Sync require a connection. When you're back online, any changes you made offline will sync automatically.

For the best offline experience, install BandPilot to your home screen (see Installing the App above). The installed version loads faster and behaves like a native app.

App Updates

BandPilot updates automatically in the background. When a new version is available, you'll see an "Update available" notification. Tap it to reload and apply the update. The app checks for updates every 15 minutes and whenever you switch back to the tab.

If you've installed BandPilot to your home screen, updates still happen automatically — just make sure you open the app while connected to the internet periodically.

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AI Features

Overview

BandPilot includes AI-powered tools to help you build better setlists and fill in song details. All AI features require a Plus or Pro subscription. Available tools:

• Song Autocomplete (1 credit) — auto-fill key, BPM, duration, and lyrics from a title and artist
• Optimize Order (2 credits) — rearrange a setlist for optimal flow
• Suggest Songs (2 credits) — recommend library songs to fill a target duration
• Generate Setlist (3 credits) — create a complete setlist from scratch
• Discover Songs (1-3 credits) — find new songs to learn based on your library, with YouTube links
• Bulk Metadata — fill missing key, BPM, and duration across your entire library at once

Credit System

AI features use a credit system. Each tool costs 1-3 credits per use (shown before you confirm).

• Plus — 20 credits per month, included with subscription
• Pro — 50 credits per month, included with subscription
• Credit packs — buy 50 additional credits for $4.99 (purchased credits never expire)

Monthly credits reset each billing cycle. You can view your usage and remaining credits in Settings > AI Tools. A low-credit warning appears when you're down to 5 credits.

AI requests are rate-limited to 10 per hour per user.

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Settings

Appearance

Customize the look and feel from Settings > Appearance:

• Theme — Light, Dark, or System (matches your device preference)
• Color scheme — Orange (default) or Blue accent color
• Stage Mode text alignment — Left, Center, or Right
• Lyrics options — fit to screen, show/hide chords, section collapsing, break on slash
• Rating preferences — show/hide per-song rating prompts, show/hide crowd ratings in the library

Account

From Settings > Account you can:

• View your current plan and subscription status
• Upgrade or downgrade your subscription
• View billing history and download invoices
• Change your password
• View AI credit balance and usage
• Log out or delete your account

Data Management

Settings > Data gives you full control over your data:

• Import — CSV, JSON, RTF, or BeatBuddy .zip files
• Export — download your library as CSV or JSON
• Bulk metadata — use AI to fill missing key, BPM, and duration for all songs
• AI history — review all AI actions from the last 30 days with full request/response details

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Account & Billing

Plans & Pricing

BandPilot offers three tiers:

• Free: Unlimited songs, 3 setlists, 1 band. No credit card.
• Plus ($29.99/yr or $3.99/mo): Unlimited setlists, up to 3 bands you create, Stage Mode, Band Sync (5 devices), Switch-Up, Crowd Ratings, 20 AI credits/month.
• Pro ($59.99/yr or $6.99/mo): Unlimited everything, 10 synced devices, 50 AI credits/month, priority support.

The leader pays — band members are always free. Band limits (1/3/unlimited) only count bands you create. Joining another leader's band via invite never counts against your limit. Stage Mode sync features (real-time navigation, Switch-Up) are governed by the leader's plan — if they're on Pro, everyone in the session benefits. AI features are tied to each user's own plan. See full details on the pricing page.

Managing Your Subscription

Go to Settings > Account to view your current subscription, upgrade, downgrade, or cancel. Annual plans save significantly over monthly billing. All payments are handled securely through Stripe.

You can view your billing history (last 5 invoices) and download receipts directly from the account page.

Deleting Your Account

Go to Settings > Account > Delete Account. This permanently deletes all your songs, setlists, band data, and AI history. This action cannot be undone.

We recommend exporting your data (Settings > Data > JSON Export) before deleting your account.