Creating stories
Article Content
Stories are short video recordings up to 30 seconds long. They're perfect for quick updates, celebrations or sharing moments with your team.
Opening the story camera
To create a story, you need to open the story camera.
Tapping the plus icon
- Go to any tab that shows the stories row (Shifts, Work, or Leaderboard)
- Find the stories row at the top of the screen
- Tap the + icon on the bottom-right of your profile circle
- The camera screen opens
The + icon is always visible on your own story circle.
Camera and microphone permissions
The first time you open the story camera, Pilla checks for camera and microphone permissions. If permissions haven't been granted:
- A screen explains that camera and microphone permissions are required to record stories
- Tap Continue to trigger the permission prompts
- Grant both camera and microphone access
Without these permissions, you cannot record stories.
If you denied permissions
If you previously denied permissions and can no longer be prompted:
- A screen explains which permissions were denied
- Tap Open Settings to go to your device settings
- Find Pilla in the app list
- Enable Camera and Microphone permissions
- Return to Pilla and try again
Alternatively, tap Close to exit the camera screen.
Recording a story
Starting the recording
- Open the story camera (the front-facing camera is used by default)
- Frame your shot in the preview
- Tap the record button (large circle at the bottom centre)
- A 3-second countdown appears on screen: 3, 2, 1
- Recording starts automatically after the countdown
The countdown gives you time to prepare before recording begins.
Recording time limit (30 seconds)
Each story can be up to 30 seconds:
- Recording automatically stops at 30 seconds
- A progress bar at the bottom fills from left to right showing your recording time
- A countdown timer appears on screen during the last 5 seconds
- You can stop earlier by tapping the record button again
Switching cameras (front/back)
To flip between front and back cameras:
- While on the camera screen, before recording starts
- Tap the camera flip icon (top-right corner)
- The view switches between front and back cameras
The flip button is hidden during recording and during the countdown.
Stopping early
To stop before 30 seconds:
- Tap the record button (which now appears red)
- Recording ends immediately
- The preview screen appears
If a countdown is in progress, tapping the button cancels the countdown instead and returns to the ready state.
Closing without recording
Tap the X button in the top-left corner to close the camera and return to the previous screen. The close button is disabled during recording, processing, and the countdown.
Previewing your story
After recording, you can preview your story before sharing it.
Automatic preview playback
When recording stops:
- The preview screen appears automatically
- Your recorded video starts playing in a loop
- Preview appears at the top of the screen
- Audio plays if you recorded with sound
Retaking the story
If you want to try again:
- Tap the Retake button (bottom-left, with a rotate icon)
- You return to the camera
- Record a new video
- The previous recording is discarded
You can retake as many times as you need.
Uploading your story
Tapping upload
When you're happy with your story:
- From the preview screen, tap Upload (bottom-right, with an upload icon)
- The screen closes immediately and you return to the previous screen
- Upload continues in the background
Video compression
Before uploading:
- Your video is compressed automatically
- Compression targets 720p resolution at 1.5 Mbps bitrate
- This reduces file size for faster uploads
- Compression happens before the upload begins
You don't need to do anything -- compression is automatic.
Background uploading
Upload continues even after you leave the camera screen:
- The screen closes as soon as you tap Upload
- Upload runs in the background
- You can continue using the app normally
When your story goes live
After upload completes:
- Your story is processed on Mux servers
- It appears in the stories row on the Shifts, Work, and Leaderboard tabs
- Team members can start viewing it
- This usually takes just a few seconds
Upload errors
If upload fails:
- Check your internet connection
- Try recording and uploading again
- Ensure you have mobile data or WiFi
You must be part of at least one team to upload stories. If you have no teams, an alert explains this.
Story visibility
Stories are visible based on team membership. Your stories are automatically shared to all teams you belong to.
Who sees your stories
Your stories are visible to:
- All members of teams you belong to
- Both staff and managers on those teams
- Anyone who joins those teams while your story is active
If you belong to multiple teams, your stories are visible to all team members across all your teams.
No team selection needed
- Stories automatically share to all your teams
- No need to select which teams see your story
- Team changes affect story visibility immediately
Tips for good stories
- Keep stories focused on one topic
- Use the countdown to prepare
- 30 seconds goes quickly -- plan what you'll say
- Shorter stories often work better
- Good lighting makes a big difference
- Always preview before uploading
- Check that audio recorded properly
- Retake if the lighting or framing is off
- You can't edit after uploading -- get it right in preview