Doxa - Pocket MD app icon

User guide

How to set up your library, run a service set, and cue the band with Doxa - Pocket MD.

1. App overview

Doxa - Pocket MD has three main tabs:

  • Set — Your active service or rehearsal playlist. Tap a song to open its chart.
  • Live Cue — Connect the music director and band for live visual cues over local Wi‑Fi.
  • Library — Your full song catalog, PDF charts, and song metadata.

Library vs Set: Library holds your canonical songs and PDFs. Sets are playlists that reference those songs. Removing a song from a Set does not delete it from Library.

2. Song library

Add songs

  • Import PDF chart — Tap + → Import PDF chart. A new song is created with the PDF attached.
  • Add blank song — Tap + → Add blank song. Enter title, key, artist, and notes, then attach a PDF later from the chart screen.

Manage songs

  • Tap a song to open its chart.
  • Swipe or long-press for Edit, Attach/Replace PDF, Remove PDF, or Delete song.
  • Use search to filter by title, artist, key, or notes.
  • Tap the info button (top-left) for About & legal, including chart copyright and privacy details.

Sample public-domain hymns (Amazing Grace, Holy, Holy, Holy, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing) are included on first install to help you explore the app.

3. Sets

The Set tab shows your current set—the ordered list of songs for this service or rehearsal.

  • Switch sets — Tap the set title at the top to choose another set or create a new one.
  • Add songs — Tap + to add from Library, import a new PDF, or add a blank song.
  • Reorder — Tap Reorder, then drag songs into performance order.
  • Remove — Swipe to delete a row from the set (the song stays in Library).

4. Charts & PDFs

Open any song from Set or Library to view its chart.

  • If a PDF is attached, it displays as your primary stage chart.
  • Use the Auto / PDF / Text picker to switch views when a PDF is present.
  • Tap ⋯ (top-right) to edit song details, attach or replace a PDF, or remove the PDF.

You are responsible for the rights to any PDF charts you import. Only import charts you are licensed to use.

5. Live Cue

Live Cue lets the music director send visual cues to band members on the same local Wi‑Fi network—replacing the need for talkback microphones in many worship settings.

Music director

  1. Open the Live Cue tab.
  2. Ensure Music Director is selected at the top.
  3. Tap Start hosting.
  4. When band members connect, their names and instruments appear in the roster.
  5. Send cues from the Live Cue list or from the cue rail while viewing a chart (see below).

Built-in cues

Transitions: Intro, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Tag, Ending, Instrumental

Dynamics: Build, Big, Drop, Pull back, Half time feel, A cappella breakdown

You can also create custom cues with your own label, color, and icon from the Live Cue tab.

6. Sending cues while leading

While browsing the Set tab or viewing a chart as Music Director:

  • iPhone — Swipe inward from the right edge to reveal the cue rail. Tap a cue to send it, then the rail collapses.
  • iPad — The cue rail stays visible on the right while you read the chart—Transitions and Dynamics are always one tap away.

Cues are sent to all connected band members. The focused song title appears at the bottom of the rail so the band knows which chart you’re leading from.

7. Band member setup

  1. Open the Live Cue tab.
  2. Select Band Member.
  3. Enter your display name and instrument (optional but helps the MD identify you).
  4. Tap Join session. The app searches for the director’s session on the same Wi‑Fi.
  5. When a cue arrives, a full-screen banner appears—even if you’re on the Set or Library tab.

Keep the app open or in the foreground during service for the most reliable cue delivery. Local network permission may be requested the first time you use Live Cue—allow it so devices can discover each other.

8. Share import

Import a PDF from another app without opening Doxa first:

  1. Open the PDF in Mail, Files, Safari, or another app.
  2. Tap Share → Doxa - Pocket MD.
  3. Choose which song in your library should receive the PDF.
  4. Tap Send to Doxa - Pocket MD. The main app opens and attaches the chart.

If the song list is empty, open Doxa - Pocket MD once so your library syncs to the Share extension, then try again.

9. iPad tips

  • Rotate to landscape for a wider PDF chart view during rehearsal or service.
  • The persistent cue rail on the right is ideal for leading from the chart without switching tabs.
  • Sets, Library, and Live Cue use the same tab bar layout as iPhone for a consistent experience.

10. Troubleshooting

Band can’t find the MD session

  • Confirm all devices are on the same Wi‑Fi network (not guest Wi‑Fi isolated from the main network).
  • Ensure the MD has tapped Start hosting before band members join.
  • Check that local network access is allowed for Doxa - Pocket MD in Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network.
  • Restart hosting on the MD device if the session was idle for a long time.

PDF didn’t attach

  • From the chart screen, use ⋯ → Attach PDF and pick the file again.
  • For Share import, open the main app after sharing so the import can finish.

Cues not appearing on band devices

  • Confirm the band member selected Band Member (not Music Director).
  • Check the connection status on the Live Cue tab shows connected peers.
  • Ensure the band member’s app is not force-quit during the set.