# Workshop Best Practices

## Instruqt Workshop Best Practices

This guide helps Instruqt admins and facilitators run smooth, scalable, and secure technical workshops, whether in person or virtual.

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### 1. Pre-event planning

#### Increase IP limits for on-site events

If your attendees share the same network (e.g., a classroom or conference Wi-Fi), raise the per-IP limits—or use an invite with a claim limit so IP limits don’t apply.\
Configure this under **Settings → Track limits**.

* [Track limits (IP/hour & concurrent per IP) ↗](https://docs.instruqt.com/settings/platform/track-limits)

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#### Pre-provision with Hot Start

Use Hot Start to preheat sandboxes so learners can launch instantly. Size the pool slightly above your expected audience to absorb spikes.

* [Hot start overview & best practices ↗](https://docs.instruqt.com/sandboxes/manage/hot-start)
* *Tip:* start provisioning \~30 minutes before the event; terminate 15–30 minutes after start to save costs.

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### 2. Invitations & access control

#### Create a dedicated invite for the workshop

Bundle all tracks into a single invite so learners have one link.\
For workshops, choose the **Live Event** invite type and set a start/end time.

* [Track invites (types, restrictions, setup) ↗](https://docs.instruqt.com/tracks/share/track-invite-links)
* [Live Events workflow & dashboard ↗](https://docs.instruqt.com/tracks/share/run-live-events)

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#### Security best practices

Gate access with a form and limit entry to expected attendees.\
Turn on email confirmation and (optionally) restrict to business emails.

* [Form Settings (confirm email, business-only) ↗](https://docs.instruqt.com/tracks/share/track-invite-links/form-settings)
* Access settings & invite restrictions 

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### 3. Day-of facilitation

#### Use the Live Event dashboard

Monitor progress, jump into learner sandboxes for help, and manage attendees directly from the dashboard.\
👉 [How to run a Live Event ↗](https://docs.instruqt.com/tracks/share/run-live-events)

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#### Performance tips

* Set Hot Start pool size slightly over expected attendees.
* If bandwidth is constrained, consider staggering start times by a minute or two.
* Have a fallback pool ready (duplicate your pool with a small size).

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### 4. Post-event wrap-up

#### Analyze results

Export the invite activity report to review attendance, attempts, and completion time. You can also export this information for further analysis in external tooling.<br>

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#### Shut down extras

* Terminate remaining Hot Start pools to control costs.
* Remove or tighten invites after the event.
* Reset concurrent IP limits

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### ✅ Quick checklist

* Create a **Live Event** invite with a single link for all content.
* Enable form gating; require email confirmation; optionally allow business emails only.
* Set invite access to the expected attendee list or domain(s).
* Increase **IP/hour** and **concurrent per-IP** limits, or set a claim and play limit for the invite.
* Create and schedule a Hot Start pool sized slightly above attendance.
* Start provisioning \~30 minutes before kick-off.
* Monitor via Live Event dashboard; be ready to inspect sandboxes.
* Export activity report and deprovision remaining Hot Start capacity.