Get Started
===========

Connect a saved asset, confirm live telemetry, and reach the main operating
view in GCS-beXStream.

**Navigation:** App launch > ``Comm Links``

Before You Start
----------------

- Make sure the target aircraft or simulator is already reachable through a
  saved comm-link.
- Keep the aircraft in a safe state before connecting.
- If more than one comm-link is available, confirm which entry belongs to the
  asset you want to use.

Steps
-----

1. Open GCS-beXStream and confirm the app starts on **Comm Links**.

.. figure:: ../_static/images/gcsbexstream/01-quick-start/01-app-entry.png
   :alt: Comm Links entry
   :align: center

   Step 1: Comm Links entry

2. Open the main menu with the hamburger button in the top-right corner to
   review the primary work areas.

.. figure:: ../_static/images/gcsbexstream/01-quick-start/02-open-menu.png
   :alt: Open the main menu
   :align: center

   Step 2: Open the main menu

3. Click the saved comm-link for the aircraft you want to operate so its
   details appear in the editor panel.

.. figure:: ../_static/images/gcsbexstream/01-quick-start/03-select-link.png
   :alt: Select the saved comm-link
   :align: center

   Step 3: Select the saved comm-link

4. Turn on the connection toggle for the selected comm-link and wait for
   **Active Asset** to show the connected aircraft name.

.. figure:: ../_static/images/gcsbexstream/01-quick-start/04-connect-link.png
   :alt: Connect the selected asset
   :align: center

   Step 4: Connect the selected asset

5. Open **Monitor** from the main menu and confirm the live monitoring
   workspace loads for the connected asset.

.. figure:: ../_static/images/gcsbexstream/01-quick-start/05-open-monitor.png
   :alt: Open the monitor workspace
   :align: center

   Step 5: Open the monitor workspace

Expected Result
---------------

The selected asset appears in **Active Asset**, the app opens the monitoring
workspace, and live telemetry widgets begin updating.

Troubleshooting
---------------

- If **Active Asset** stays empty after connecting, return to **Comm Links**
  and verify the saved IP and port.
- If the connection drops within a few seconds, confirm the aircraft is
  sending MAVLink heartbeats and reconnect.
- If **Monitor** opens without live data, wait a few seconds for the link to
  stabilize before troubleshooting stream or telemetry details.

Related Tasks
-------------

- :doc:`Manage Comm Links <comm_links>`
- :doc:`Monitor the Active Asset <monitor>`
- :doc:`Configure GCS Settings <gcs_settings>`