How to Add Custom Docks and Chat to OBS Studio

Streamers often need to monitor chats, alerts, and stream statistics without leaving their broadcasting software. This article explores how to add custom docks and chat windows directly into the OBS Studio interface, highlighting both the built-in native features of the software and third-party plugins designed to enhance your streaming workflow.

Native OBS Studio Custom Browser Docks

You do not actually need to install third-party plugins to add custom web pages, chats, or widgets to OBS Studio. The software includes a powerful native feature called Custom Browser Docks that allows you to integrate any web-based URL directly into the user interface.

To set up a native custom dock: 1. Open OBS Studio and navigate to the top menu. 2. Click on View, hover over Docks, and select Custom Browser Docks… 3. In the window that appears, enter a memorable name for your dock (e.g., “Twitch Chat” or “Stream Alerts”). 4. Paste the URL of the site or widget you want to display (such as your Twitch chat pop-out URL or a YouTube Live chat link). 5. Click Apply and close the window.

The new dock will appear as a floating window. You can drag and drop this window anywhere within the OBS Studio interface, docking it securely alongside your preview screen, audio mixer, or scene transitions.

Dedicated Plugins for Advanced Integration

If you require features beyond simple web viewing—such as deeper moderation tools, consolidated multi-platform chats, or direct stream control—several plugins and software integrations can elevate your setup.

1. StreamElements OBS.Live

OBS.Live is a popular plugin developed by StreamElements. Once installed, it seamlessly integrates your Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming chat directly into OBS Studio. It also adds a dedicated activity feed widget, allowing you to view and manage subscribers, donations, and cheers in real-time, all within a unified interface.

2. Streamlabs Desktop / OBS WebSocket Plugins

For those utilizing Streamlabs widgets, you can generate custom widget URLs from the Streamlabs dashboard and insert them into the native OBS Browser Docks. Alternatively, advanced users leverage OBS WebSocket plugins to connect external chat moderation tools and bot controllers directly to the OBS interface.

3. Multi-Platform Chat Docks (Restream.io)

If you stream to multiple platforms simultaneously, using a service like Restream allows you to generate a single chat link. By inputting this combined chat URL into a Custom Browser Dock, you can read and interact with viewers from Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook in one single window inside OBS Studio.