# \&slotmode

Director Option! ([`&director`](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/director-parameters/director))

## Details

Adding `&slotmode` to a director's URL gives you the possibility to assign slots to the connected guests. While the layout switching options of the [Video Mixer](https://docs.vdo.ninja/steves-helper-apps/mixer-app) will be missing when doing this as a normal director, you can still specify [`&layout`](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/mixer-scene-parameters/and-layout) via the URL for multiple scenes that will obey the slot assignments (might interest advanced users or inspire user suggestions).

<figure><img src="https://2943598173-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MZHXv1G8N0MDxwotaT9%2Fuploads%2FsCBLCoEVBC1PDvzOWE2b%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9f90c9a1-4177-4f2f-80d4-9dddfb7f791a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Director Slot Behavior

By default, the director does **not** consume a slot when using `&slotmode`. This means:

* Guests are assigned slots starting from slot 1
* The director remains hidden from slot-based scene links (`&viewslot`)

If you want the director to appear in scenes and consume a slot, add [`&showdirector`](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/director-parameters/and-showdirector) to the director's URL:

```
&director=roomname&slotmode&showdirector
```

This is useful when the director is also a performer who should appear in slot-based layouts.

### Excluding Guests from Slots

Guests can use [`&slot=0`](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/settings-parameters/and-slot) to join the room without consuming a slot. This is useful for instructors, musicians, or control room operators who should not appear in slot-based scenes.

## Related

{% content-ref url="../../steves-helper-apps/mixer-app" %}
[mixer-app](https://docs.vdo.ninja/steves-helper-apps/mixer-app)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="../settings-parameters/and-slot" %}
[and-slot](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/settings-parameters/and-slot)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="../mixer-scene-parameters/and-layout" %}
[and-layout](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/mixer-scene-parameters/and-layout)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="director" %}
[director](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/director-parameters/director)
{% endcontent-ref %}