> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trytalkvalue.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Access codes

> How the 6-character staff access code works and what staff can do with it.

<Note>
  Every event has a unique **6-character access code** (letters + digits) that lets your staff open the mobile check-in station without signing in to TalkValue. The code is scoped to one event and never grants dashboard access.
</Note>

TalkValue separates two Badge audiences. **Event managers** use the dashboard at `app.trytalkvalue.com` to import events, design templates, and pair printers. That requires a TalkValue login. **Check-in staff** use the mobile station at `app.trytalkvalue.com/badge/staff/<code>`. That requires only the 6-character access code, on any phone or tablet, with no login.

## What the code unlocks

When a staff member enters a valid access code at `/badge/staff`, TalkValue looks up the event the code belongs to and routes them to a mode picker for that single event. From there they can:

* Pick **Check-in mode** for mobile-optimized QR scanning and manual search check-in.
* Pick **Station mode** for a desktop print station that auto-prints badges as attendees are checked in from paired phones.

Staff never see other events, the workspace settings, or any data outside the event the code unlocks. The session is per-tab. Closing the browser ends it without persisting credentials.

## Where to find the code

Open the event page in the Badge dashboard. The **Staff Access** card shows:

* A QR code that links straight to `/badge/staff/<code>` (scan with any phone camera to skip typing).
* The 6-character code in a monospace block, with a **Copy** button next to it.
* The full staff URL formed as `app.trytalkvalue.com/badge/staff` (where staff type the code) or as a deep link via the QR.

Two action buttons in the page header — **Station mode** and **Check-in mode** — open the same mode directly from the dashboard, so you can preview what staff will see before handing the code over.

## Sharing with staff

Codes are short, case-insensitive (the staff input uppercases as you type), and safe to share in writing: Slack, SMS, or printed on the brief. The code stays valid for the life of the event; access ends when the event is deleted from the workspace.

For a longer share-and-handoff playbook (QR posters, day-of staffing tips), see [Get the access code](/badge/staff-stations/get-access-code).

## Security model

* One code unlocks one event. Staff cannot pivot to other events or workspace settings from the staff URL.
* Codes are not workspace-wide; every event has its own code.
* Codes are tied to the event record. Deleting the event invalidates the code; any staff session loaded from that code stops working on the next request.
* All staff actions (check-ins, prints) are logged against the event for the audit trail.

## Related

* [Get the access code](/badge/staff-stations/get-access-code). The day-of share, post, and handoff playbook for check-in staff.
* [Open on mobile](/badge/staff-stations/open-on-mobile). What staff see when they type the code on a phone.
* [QR scan check-in](/badge/staff-stations/qr-scan-checkin). The camera-based check-in flow.
* [Manual search check-in](/badge/staff-stations/manual-search-checkin). The fallback when the QR can't be scanned.