Polaris Sync

Polaris Sync is where Nova and the host compare notes. It shows the host’s default display mode, the launch profile the host keeps for this device, and the two host controls that shape every launch, and it lets you push one side to the other without guessing which one is in effect.

Where it lives

In the Library, open System and choose Polaris Sync.
In a game’s Play Setup, switch the scope pill to Every Game. The same host rows appear there, because a choice for one game is meant to be compared against what every game inherits.

What the sheet shows

Status. Synced when the host answered, Syncing while a change is on its way, Unavailable when this host does not offer client settings (an older Polaris, or a host that is not Polaris).

Stream Display. The host’s mode catalog, in the host’s order. Desired is what was saved, Effective is what the host will actually use for the next launch; the two differ until a relaunch, and the row says so with “Saved, applies after relaunch”. A mode the host cannot offer stays visible and disabled with the host’s reason, so a grey Host Virtual Display tells you what is missing instead of hiding.

Launch Profile. Nova’s own profile (display mode and bitrate) beside the profile the host keeps for this device, and whether they match. Four actions:

Match Nova appears when the profiles differ and saves Nova’s display mode and bitrate to the host. Push Nova does the same write from a matched state, for when you changed Nova and want the host to follow.
Pull Polaris saves the host’s profile into Nova’s own stream settings.
Clear Profile removes the host’s display mode and bitrate for this device, so launches follow the host default again.

Host Controls. Launch preset turns the host’s automatic quality control on or off for this device. Auto Match This Server keeps the profile matched to Nova on its own for this host, so you do not repeat the match after every change.

The rules

A normal launch never rewrites the host default. Leaving the mode unset in Play Setup means “follow the host”.
A per-game choice in Play Setup wins over the profile for that game and changes nothing here.
A change to the host mode applies after the next launch. The sheet says so rather than pretending it applied now.

When something is off

Unavailable: the host is not a Polaris host, or it is older than Nova’s client-settings contract. Update Polaris; standard Moonlight hosts never offer this sheet.
Sync failed: the host refused the change. Open the host’s Doctor page for the reason; the usual one is a mode the host cannot offer right now.