> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.openreview.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.openreview.net/reference/stages/comment-stage.md).

# Comment Stage

#### What it Does 

The Comment Stage creates [Comment Invitations](/reference/default-forms/default-comment-form.md) for all submissions with custom participants. The Comment forms have a dropdown menu where users can select the intended readers of their comments. 

#### When to Use it

Double blind venues can only run the Comment Stage after the submission deadline has passed. Single-blind venues can run the Comment Stage before the submission deadline if they first run Post Submission Stage. 

#### Options

<details>

<summary>Commentary Start Date</summary>

* When comment invitations will open for selected participants, in GMT
* Optional&#x20;
* Defaults to now

</details>

<details>

<summary>Commentary End Date </summary>

* When comment invitations will close for all participants, in GMT
* Optional&#x20;
* Defaults to never

</details>

<details>

<summary>Participants</summary>

* Selection of who will have access to comment invitations
* Required&#x20;

</details>

<details>

<summary>Email Program Chairs About Official Comments</summary>

* Determines whether PCs will be notified of each comment.&#x20;
* Required

</details>

<details>

<summary>Enable Chat Between Committee Members</summary>

* An experimental feature that allows committee members to chat with each other. Only the selected participants that are members of the reviewing committee will be using this feature. Default is "Yes, enable chat between committee members".&#x20;
* Optional

</details>


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