<section class="py-8 prose prose-invert max-w-none">
  <h1 class="font-display tracking-widest">Finding New Songs with BeatLeader</h1>
  <p>
    A fast, repeatable workflow to discover fresh maps using BeatLeader’s powerful search. It relies on
    supporter‑only unranked star ratings (<code>ShowAllRatings</code>) and sorts by <strong>techRating</strong> to surface interesting patterns.
  </p>

  <nav class="not-prose mt-4 flex flex-wrap gap-2">
    <a class="rounded bg-white/10 px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-white/20" href="#requirements">Requirements</a>
    <a class="rounded bg-white/10 px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-white/20" href="#search-setup">Search setup</a>
    <a class="rounded bg-white/10 px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-white/20" href="#workflow">Monthly workflow</a>
    <a class="rounded bg-white/10 px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-white/20" href="#shortcuts">Shortcuts</a>
    <a class="rounded bg-white/10 px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-white/20" href="#tips">Tips</a>
  </nav>

  <h2 id="requirements">Requirements</h2>
  <ul>
    <li><strong>BeatLeader supporter</strong> role on your BL account (Patreon/tipper/supporter/sponsor).</li>
    <li><strong><code>ShowAllRatings</code></strong> enabled on your BL profile. See <a href="/guides/beatleader-auth">BeatLeader Authentication</a> for how to sign in and enable it.</li>
  </ul>

  <h2 id="search-setup">Search setup</h2>
  <p>Use the BeatLeader maps search with these filters:</p>
  <ul>
    <li><strong>Date range</strong>: pick a single month (e.g., Dec 1 → Jan 1). Iterate month by month.</li>
    <li><strong>Stars</strong>: set a band to control density and overall difficulty (e.g., <strong>8–10</strong> for fun, <strong>6–8</strong> for warm‑ups).</li>
    <li><strong>Sort by</strong>: <strong>techRating</strong>.</li>
    <li><strong>Mode / Difficulty</strong>: <strong>Standard</strong>, <strong>ExpertPlus</strong> (adjust for your preference).</li>
  </ul>

  <div class="not-prose mt-3 grid gap-2 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3">
    <a class="btn-neon" href="https://beatleader.com/maps/all?stars_from=8&stars_to=10&sortBy=techRating&mode=Standard&difficulty=ExpertPlus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Open BL search (8–10★, techRating)</a>
    <a class="btn-neon" href="https://beatleader.com/maps/all/2?stars_from=8&stars_to=10&date_from=1735718400&date_to=1738396800&sortBy=techRating&mode=Standard&difficulty=ExpertPlus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Example: Dec 2024 window</a>
  </div>
  <p class="text-xs text-muted mt-1">Note: The example uses a specific month via <code>date_from</code>/<code>date_to</code>. Use the BL UI date picker to select your current month.</p>

  <h2 id="workflow">Monthly workflow</h2>
  <ol>
    <li>Pick a month and set the date filter to that exact window.</li>
    <li>Set stars to your target band (e.g., 8–10★). Leave <em>ranked</em> off so unranked stars show.</li>
    <li>Sort by <strong>techRating</strong>. You should see ~100 results for a typical month.</li>
    <li>Quick‑scan the list:
      <ul>
        <li>The very top often contains maps with ultra‑weird patterns.</li>
        <li>The bottom often contains very simple/boring patterns.</li>
        <li>The juicy middle (~70–80% of results) is usually worth considering.</li>
      </ul>
    </li>
    <li>For each candidate: preview audio, check the mapper, and watch replays to gauge fun factor and pattern quality.</li>
    <li>Repeat for the next month.</li>
  </ol>

  <h2 id="collecting">Collecting and downloading maps</h2>
  <ul>
    <li><strong>Download as you go</strong>: When you find a keeper, download the map immediately.</li>
    <li><strong>Playlist workflow</strong>: Use BeatLeader’s <em>Add to playlist</em> on each candidate to build a short list. Later, open that playlist and download it. In‑game, load the playlist, then use your playlist manager to download all songs in one go.</li>
  </ul>

  <h2 id="shortcuts">Shortcuts</h2>
  <ul>
    <li><strong>Friends‑played filter</strong>: add <code>mytype=friendsPlayed</code> to show maps your followed players have played. This turns your follow list into a taste‑making filter.</li>
  </ul>
  <div class="not-prose mt-2">
    <a class="rounded bg-white/10 px-3 py-1 text-sm hover:bg-white/20" href="https://beatleader.com/maps/all?stars_from=8&stars_to=10&sortBy=techRating&mode=Standard&difficulty=ExpertPlus&mytype=friendsPlayed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Open 8–10★ + friendsPlayed</a>
  </div>

  <h2 id="tips">Why this works</h2>
  <ul>
    <li><strong>Stars banding</strong> sets expectations for note density and cumulative pattern intensity.</li>
    <li><strong>Tech rating sort</strong> floats unusual patterning to the top and simpler maps to the bottom, leaving a large middle of promising, fun charts.</li>
    <li><strong>Monthly windows</strong> keep the set manageable and ensure you don’t miss new drops.</li>
  </ul>

  <p class="text-sm text-muted">Tip: Create two tabs — one for 8–10★ “fun picks” and another for 6–8★ warmups — and work month by month.</p>
</section>



