Help & FAQ

deshelved is a free board game night planning and voting app. The host syncs their BoardGameGeek collection, creates an event, invites guests, and everyone votes on which game to play and which night to meet.

Documentation

Getting started

Why sign up? — what a free account unlocks vs guest access
Mobile apps — the Android and iOS apps, and how they differ from the web

Your games

Your collection — adding games, filtering, card backs, rulebooks, sharing
BoardGameGeek sync — import your collection, log plays, complexity data

Crew

Your crew — adding people, your crew link, what a crew entry allows

Game nights

Hosting an event — create an event, add games and guests, run the vote, pick a date
Joining as a guest — no account needed; claim your slot, vote, mark availability
Voting & results — Want / OK / Pass, scoring, when results are shown
Availability & dates — marking free dates, group summary, conflict detection

Playing

Play log — logging plays, scores, rounds, stats and export

Guides & tips

Sharing a shelf with your family — step by step: one collection for everyone in a household

Account

Passwords & security — how passwords and sessions work, what data is stored

Frequently asked questions

Why is deshelved free? Are there ads?

No ads — now or ever. I built it for my own game group and opening it up was the natural next step. There's nothing being sold here.

Do my guests need an account?

No. Guests just open the link, pick their name, and vote — no sign-up, no email, nothing to install.

What about my privacy?

No third-party trackers or advertising networks. Your data is never sold or shared.

Can guests bring their own games?

Yes. A signed-in guest can suggest games from their own collection for the host to approve.

Can I add an event to my calendar?

Yes. Once a date is set, an Add to calendar link appears that works with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, and any standard calendar app.

What is the cheat sheet?

Attach a rulebook PDF to any game and deshelved generates a short AI quick-reference card — setup, turn order, key rules, end game, quick tips. You can edit and save it.

→ See all frequently asked questions