Microsoft Teams User Guide
Getting Started with SimuLive Runbooks for Automated Microsoft Teams Meetings and Webinars
Also using Zoom or Google Meet? See the Zoom User Manual and the Google Drive & Meet User Manual.
Getting Started
Before creating SimuLive runbooks for your automated Microsoft Teams meetings and webinars, you need to connect your Microsoft Teams and Google Drive accounts. These integrations allow SimuLive to create and manage your Teams events automatically.
Connect Your Microsoft Teams Account
Link your Microsoft 365 work or school account to enable SimuLive to create and run automated Teams meetings and webinars on your behalf.
- 1Go to Dashboard → Integrations → Microsoft Teams.
- 2In Public Client, click the Connect to Teams button.
- 3Sign in with your Microsoft 365 work or school account.
- 4Review the permissions on the Microsoft screen and click Accept.
- 5You will see Active status when connected.
If Microsoft shows an approval required message, your organization requires an administrator to approve new apps. Ask your Microsoft 365 administrator to approve SimuLive, then connect again. Teams webinars and meeting chat features require a work or school account whose Microsoft 365 plan includes them.
Connect Your Google Drive
Link your Google Drive to store and access video content (.mp4), chat messages (messages.xlsx), and participant configurations (participant-names.xlsx) for your automated Teams meetings and webinars. Google Drive is required for all SimuLive platforms. For details on Google Drive setup, see the Google Drive & Meet User Manual.
- 1Go to Dashboard → Integrations.
- 2Click Connect Google Drive.
- 3Allow SimuLive access on the Google screen.
- 4You will see Active status when connected.
Creating a Runbook
A SimuLive runbook is your automated Teams meeting or webinar configuration. It contains all the settings needed to run your event automatically, including video content and scheduled chat messages. Creating a runbook has two steps: Config and Details.
Step 1: Config
Configure the technical settings for your automated Teams meeting or webinar, including which accounts and content to use.
- 1Go to Dashboard → Runbooks and click Create Runbook.
- 2Click to select your Subscription from the list.
- 3Click to select your Microsoft Teams Account from the list.
- 4Click to select your Google Drive Account from the list.
- 5Your content folders will appear in the Google Drive Tab. Expand and select a folder containing your meeting or webinar assets.
- 6If you do not have content yet, go to the Upload Files Tab.
- 7Click Next to continue.
Uploading Files
Prepare your automated Teams meeting or webinar content files. Need sample files? Download and templates.
| Subscription | Files You Need |
|---|---|
| Silver | Video file (.mp4) |
| Gold | Video file (.mp4) |
| Platinum or Diamond | Video file (.mp4) + messages.xlsx + participant-names.xlsx |
Drag and drop your files into the Upload Files Tab. After upload, your new folder will appear in the Google Drive Tab ready for your automated Teams meeting or webinar.
Step 2: Details
Set up the scheduling and event details for your automated Teams meeting or webinar.
- 1To reuse a Teams meeting or webinar you already scheduled, turn on Import from Existing Event and pick it from the list. Each event shows a Meeting or Webinar badge.
- 2Enter a Title for your meeting or webinar runbook.
- 3Enter a Description (this will be the meeting or webinar agenda).
- 4Select Event Type: Meeting or Webinar.
- 5Set the Date, Time, and Timezone for your meeting or webinar.
- 6Select Duration (based on your subscription credits).
- 7Choose Schedule Type: Scheduled, Recurring (with fixed times), or Recurring (without fixed times).
- 8Click Create Runbook.
Schedule time must be at least 05 minutes in the future for both automated meetings and webinars. When you choose Webinar, SimuLive creates a real Teams webinar for one time schedules. If you choose a recurring schedule or turn on Registration, SimuLive creates a Teams meeting instead.
Starting a Teams Webinar
Microsoft Teams only lets the organizer start a webinar and choose who attendees see. Microsoft does not offer an API for apps to do this, so for every Teams webinar run SimuLive emails you the steps below, even if runbook notifications are turned off. Teams meetings do not need these steps.
- 1Open the email Action Required: Start your Teams webinar and click Open Webinar in Teams. Use the Microsoft account that organizes the webinar.
- 2Select Start meeting at the top of the meeting window. Until you do, attendees wait and cannot see anything.
- 3Open People, find Host, select the three dots next to it, and choose Bring on screen.
- 4SimuLive starts your content from the beginning as soon as Teams lets Host share.
If you do not see Bring on screen, open Meeting options, go to Engagement, turn off Manage what attendees see, and then make Host a presenter.
Adding Live Stream
Extend your automated Teams meeting or webinar reach by broadcasting to external platforms. SimuLive supports multi streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously, allowing you to reach a wider audience across different channels.
Supported Platforms
SimuLive supports multi streaming to all major platforms. Stream to one or multiple destinations at the same time:
Stream Quality
Live stream quality for your automated Teams meeting or webinar depends on your SimuLive subscription plan:
| Subscription | Resolution | Multi Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 720p HD | Up to 5 destinations |
| Gold | 1080p Full HD | Up to 5 destinations |
| Platinum | 1440p QHD | Up to 5 destinations |
| Diamond | 4K Ultra HD | Up to 5 destinations |
Setting Up Live Stream
After creating a runbook, configure your live stream destinations for your automated Teams meeting or webinar:
- 1Open your meeting or webinar runbook.
- 2Click Schedule Live Stream.
- 3Set the stream start time (must be within plus or minus 1 minute of your runbook start time).
- 4For each platform, enter your Stream Key and Stream URL.
- 5Optionally set a Display Name and enable Active Speaker Name overlay.
- 6Click Save All to save your configuration.
Getting Stream Keys
Each platform requires a stream key and RTMP URL. Here is where to find them:
TikTok
TikTok Studio, then Go Live, then Get Stream Key (requires 1,000 or more followers)
View DocumentationCustom RTMP
Use any RTMP compatible service with your own stream URL and key
Live Stream Controls
During your automated Teams event, you can control streams in real time:
- Start or Stop Source: Control the main encoder that powers all streams
- Start or Stop Individual Streams: Toggle each platform independently
- Start All or Stop All: Control all destinations at once
- Live Status Indicators: See which streams are active in real time
You must start the Source Encoder before starting any individual stream destinations.
When Your Runbook Runs
At your scheduled time, SimuLive automatically handles everything for your automated Teams meeting. For a Teams webinar, SimuLive does the same as soon as you start the webinar and bring Host on screen.
At your scheduled time, everything starts automatically:
- The SimuLive host joins your Teams meeting or webinar as Host
- Your video and audio play from the beginning
- Live streaming begins to all configured platforms (if scheduled)
- Scheduled chat messages from messages.xlsx are posted in the meeting chat (Platinum and Diamond only)
- SimuHost answers attendee questions in the meeting chat, if you set it up (Platinum and Diamond only)
Host leaves when your event ends. You can Abort a running meeting or webinar runbook at any time if needed.
SimuHost in Teams Chat
SimuHost is the optional AI co-host that answers attendee questions in your Teams meeting chat using your own AI provider key. Set it up from the SimuHost window on your runbook. See the AI Brain & BYOK Manual for skills, guardrails, and keys.
Asking SimuHost a Question
Attendees ask SimuHost a question directly in the Teams meeting chat:
- Type /ask followed by the question, for example /ask What will we cover today?
- Reply to a message in the chat and type /ask in the reply to ask about that message.
- If you set a custom @handle in your profile, attendees can type @yourhandle followed by the question.
Live Captions
In Teams meetings, SimuLive can create captions of what is said aloud so SimuHost can answer from what was actually said. Captions are only sent to your AI provider when you turn on Share live session details with SimuHost in the SimuHost window. Attendee emails and other chat messages are never shared.
Editing a Runbook
Update your automated Teams meeting or webinar settings, schedule, or content at any time before the event runs.
- 1Go to Dashboard → Runbooks.
- 2Click on the meeting or webinar runbook you want to edit.
- 3Click Edit.
- 4Make your changes and save. SimuLive updates the Teams meeting or webinar to match.
You cannot edit a meeting or webinar runbook while it is running.
Deleting a Runbook
Remove SimuLive meeting or webinar runbooks you no longer need. You have several options depending on whether you want to keep the associated Teams event.
- 1Go to Dashboard → Runbooks.
- 2Click on the meeting or webinar runbook you want to delete.
- 3Click Delete.
- 4Choose your deletion option:
| Option | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Delete Runbook Only | Removes from SimuLive, keeps the Teams meeting or webinar |
| Delete Associated Event | Removes the runbook AND cancels the Teams meeting or webinar |
| Delete Current Occurrence | For recurring meetings: removes only this one |
| Delete All Occurrences | For recurring meetings: removes the entire series |
Disconnecting Accounts
Remove linked accounts if you need to switch to different Microsoft Teams or Google Drive accounts for your automated meetings and webinars. Disconnecting deletes the stored Microsoft credentials from SimuLive.
- Go to Dashboard → Integrations
- Click Disconnect next to the account
- Confirm when prompted
Deleting Your Account
Permanently remove your SimuLive account and all associated automated meeting and webinar data.
- Go to Dashboard → Settings → Delete Account
- Your account will be deactivated immediately
- Permanent deletion completes within 30 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SimuLive runbook for Microsoft Teams?
A SimuLive runbook is an automated Teams meeting or webinar configuration that runs your event on autopilot. It stores your video content, scheduled chat messages, SimuHost settings, and scheduling details so your Teams event runs automatically at the scheduled time.
Does SimuLive support both Teams meetings and Teams webinars?
Yes. Select Meeting or Webinar as the Event Type during the Details step. SimuLive creates a real Teams webinar for one time schedules. If you choose a recurring schedule or turn on Registration, SimuLive creates a Teams meeting instead.
Why do I need to start my Teams webinar myself?
Microsoft Teams only lets the organizer start a webinar and choose who attendees see, and Microsoft does not offer an API for apps to do this. SimuLive emails you the steps for every Teams webinar run. Teams meetings start automatically.
Who is Host in my Teams event?
Host is the SimuLive host. It joins only the events scheduled by your SimuLive account, plays your pre recorded content, and leaves when your event ends.
Microsoft says approval is required when I connect. What do I do?
Your organization requires an administrator to approve new apps. Ask your Microsoft 365 administrator to approve SimuLive, then go to Dashboard → Integrations → Microsoft Teams and connect again.
Is Google Drive required for automated Teams meetings and webinars?
Yes. Google Drive is required for all SimuLive platforms including Microsoft Teams. It stores your video files (.mp4), messages.xlsx for scheduled chat messages, and participant-names.xlsx. See the Google Drive & Meet User Manual for full Google Drive setup details.
Can I stream my automated Teams event to YouTube and Facebook at the same time?
Yes. SimuLive supports multi streaming to up to 5 destinations simultaneously from your automated Teams meeting or webinar, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, TikTok, and any custom RTMP endpoint. Stream quality goes up to 4K Ultra HD on the Diamond plan.
How far in advance do I need to schedule a Teams runbook?
Your runbook schedule time must be at least 05 minutes in the future at the time of creation. This applies to both automated Teams meetings and Teams webinars.
Need Help?
Cannot find what you are looking for? Our support team is here to help.
support@simulive.us