> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://walkingman.gitbook.io/the-walking-man/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://walkingman.gitbook.io/the-walking-man/groups.md).

# Walking groups

## Rules

* **Max 10 walkers** per group. Hard cap, enforced at the database level.
* **Unique group names.** Case-insensitive. First come, first served.
* **One creator.** Whoever creates the group cannot leave it (they'd orphan the group).
* **Open membership.** Anyone signed in can join any non-full group via its slug or invite link.

## Creating a group

On the Groups page, enter a name (3–40 chars) and an optional description. The group gets a unique ID and a shareable invite link that you can copy and share with friends.

## Inviting walkers

On any group page, hit **Copy invite link**. Share it anywhere — Discord, X, group chat. Anyone who opens it and is signed in can hit *Join group* directly.

You can also share the raw **Group ID** (a UUID); walkers can paste it into the search bar on `/groups` to find the group.

## Why a 10-person cap

So bonuses per member stay meaningful, and so the group leaderboard isn't dominated by 200-person mega-groups. With 10 walkers and a Marathoner bracket, a group distributes 20,000 bonus steps per cycle — substantial without breaking tier inflation.

## Strategy

* A 5-person group of dedicated walkers will out-bracket a 10-person group of casuals.
* Bonuses settle per cycle, not per tier. Showing up to multiple cycles compounds.
* Coordinate walks. Two members hitting 5k each before the cycle closes is what flips a Strider group to Marathoner.