How-to guide
Set visibility and sharing
Use the visibility selector in the map editor to choose Private, Group, or Public. After you change visibility, click “Save map”. For public maps, use “Copy link” to share the URL.
Use private while you are still deciding
A private map is best when stop order, timing, or volunteer coverage is still changing. It lets the owner work without confusing families with half-finished information.
If you expect several edits over a week or two, keep the map private until the route shape and stop names are stable. Families build trust when the first link they see already looks intentional.
- In the map editor, set visibility to “Private”.
- Click “Save map” to apply the change.
Move to group visibility for internal collaboration
Group visibility is useful when co-leaders, school staff, or planning partners need to review the route before public release. It keeps the conversation inside your organizing team while avoiding shared passwords.
Use this stage to ask others to confirm crossing assignments, stop wording, and whether the final route matches school-site expectations.
- In the map editor, set visibility to “Group”.
- Add one or more groups, then click “Save map”.
- Share with people who are actively helping review the route.
- Make sure collaborators know which changes are still under discussion.
- Treat group review as a final check before broader release.
Publish once families can rely on it
Switch to public when the map answers the core questions a family will ask: where to meet, when to meet, and what to expect along the way. Public maps are designed for easy browser viewing without requiring an account.
Once public, click “Save map”. Then use “Copy link” and reuse that same URL in newsletters, flyers, QR codes, and reminder messages so families always reach the latest map instead of an outdated screenshot.
- Set visibility to “Public”.
- Click “Save map”.
- Use “Copy link” to copy the public map URL (it starts with `/map/`).
Plan for updates after sharing
A public link can stay the same even as you update stop details. That is helpful, but it also means your team should have a clear habit for announcing meaningful changes such as new meeting times or moved stops.
If you make a change that affects arrival routines, send a short explanation in the same channel where families first received the link. The map is the source of truth, but communication still matters.
- Make edits, then click “Save map” so the public view updates.
- Reuse the same link instead of sending new versions.
- Announce major timing or stop-location changes directly.
- Keep screenshots secondary to the live map.