BTI Siddur — User Guide

Everything you need to know about using the siddur app and running live services.

Getting Started

The BTI Siddur works in your browser at siddur.btfila.org and as an Android app on Google Play. No account is required.

1
Open the app
You'll see the cover page. Tap Enter to start from the beginning, or Continue from last position to resume where you left off.
2
Browse by section
Tap the ≡ Browse button (top-left on desktop, bottom-left on mobile) to open the table of contents. Sections collapse and expand — tap a section name to open it, then tap a prayer to navigate.
3
Choose your language
Use the language controls (top-right on desktop, bottom Language button on mobile) to switch between Hebrew, Transliteration, English, Español, or any combination.
💡 Tip:Your last position, language, dark mode, and favorites are saved automatically in your browser. They'll be there when you return.

Display Modes

Switch between 11 display modes. Single-language modes show one language at a time; combined modes show two or three languages in columns side by side.

Hebrew
Full Hebrew text with nikud
Transliteration
BTI phonetic pronunciation
English
English translation
Español
Spanish translation

Multi mode (the "Multi" button or purple pill): choose from 7 two- or three-column combinations, such as Hebrew + English or Hebrew + Transliteration + Español.

💡 Tip:Text size can be adjusted (Normal / Large / X-Large) in the desktop header or in the mobile Language sheet.

Live Service Mode

Live Service Mode lets a service leader control what prayer every participant sees — in real time, across all devices. Followers see the same prayer the leader navigates to, automatically.

Leader

Setting Up as Service Leader

1
Build your lineup
Open Siddur Studio at studio.btfila.org. Add prayers in order, set melodies and keys, save the lineup with a name and date.
2
Start Live Service
In Siddur Studio, tap the Export button, then Start Live Service. If your lineup isn't saved yet, it will auto-save first.
3
Share the QR code
A QR code appears. Share it with participants — they scan it with their phone camera to join. You can also copy the short link and send it via WhatsApp, email, or chat.
4
Open leader view
Tap Start as Leader. The main siddur opens in leader mode. A red border appears around your screen, and a "Leader · Live" badge shows in the header.
5
Start the service
You'll see the service cover screen with your lineup name. When ready, tap ▶ Start Service Now. Everyone's screen immediately shows the first prayer.
6
Navigate
Use the Next › and ‹ Prev arrows in the service bar (or keyboard arrow keys on desktop) to move through the prayers. Every participant's screen follows automatically.
💡 Tip:Want to start at a scheduled time? Tap ⏰ Schedule for a time… on the cover screen. A countdown appears on all participant screens.
Follower

Joining as a Participant

1
Scan the QR code
Open your phone camera and point it at the QR code on screen. Tap the link that appears — the siddur opens automatically in your browser.
2
Wait for the leader
You'll see the service cover screen with the lineup name and a pulsing dot: "Service will start soon…" When the leader taps Start, your screen moves to the first prayer.
3
Follow along
As the leader navigates, your screen updates automatically. No action needed.
💡 Tip:If you want to look at a different prayer temporarily, tap ✋ Manual mode in the service bar. To resume following the leader, tap 👁 Following mode.
💡 Tip:Joined late? The app automatically syncs you to the current prayer — no need to scroll.
Both

Other Ways to Join

Service button
Tap the ▶ Service button in the header (or Service tab in the mobile nav) to open the "Join a Service" modal. Live services appear automatically — tap Join →. You can also paste a short link or UUID manually.
Direct URL
Opening siddur.btfila.org/?service=LINEUP_ID joins the service immediately.
Join link QR
A permanent QR code at siddur.btfila.org/?join=1 automatically opens the Join modal — useful for projecting a standing QR code at the entrance.
Both

Ending the Service

Leader: tap ✕ Exit in the service bar. All followers are notified and the session ends.

Followers: can leave at any time by tapping ✕ Exit. A "Rejoin" banner appears if you want to reconnect to the same service.

Siddur Studio

Siddur Studio (studio.btfila.org) is the service planning tool. Sign in with Google to save lineups to the cloud.

Browse panel
Search and browse the siddur. Click + to add a prayer to your lineup, or click the title to preview it.
Lineup panel
Your service order. Drag to reorder. Set melody, key, and notes per item. Multi-select with Ctrl/Cmd+Click, Shift+Click.
Preview sidebar
Preview any prayer in all 4 languages. Add sheet music PDFs directly from here.
Export
Print the service order, print prayer texts, export PPTX slides, download a sheet music set, or start Live Service.
Custom items
Add items not in the siddur (songs, readings, blessings). Optionally generate AI translations.
Block shortcuts
Type "קבלת שבת" in the search to add a pre-built block of prayers in one click.
💡 Tip:Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac) undoes the last structural change to your lineup — add, delete, or move.

Favorites & Personal Notes

❤️ Favorites

Tap the heart icon on any prayer to favorite it. A Favorites button appears at the top of the sidebar with a count badge. Tap it to show only favorited items. Clear all favorites with the "clear" link (requires confirmation).

✏️ Personal Notes

Tap the pencil icon on any prayer to add a private note. Your note appears as a gold-bordered italic block below the prayer's badge row. Notes are saved on your device only.

💡 Tip:Favorites and notes are stored in your browser's local storage. They are not synced across devices.

More Features

🌙
Dark Mode
Moon/sun icon in the header or mobile nav. Persists across sessions.
א
Text Size
Three sizes (Normal / Large / X-Large). Desktop header or mobile Language sheet.
↗
Share a Prayer
Share button on each prayer — share as text+link or as a postcard image.
⛶
Fullscreen
Expand icon hides the header and nav for a distraction-free reading experience.
🏷
Tag Drawer
Click any keyword or theme tag to see all prayers tagged with it.
🎵
Sheet Music
Available in Siddur Studio. Download PDFs per prayer or as a full service set.
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