# Sessions and links
URL: https://docs.awellhealth.com/docs/embed-and-host/sessions-and-links

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.awellhealth.com/llms.txt).



Both **Hosted Pages links** and **sessions** solve the same problem: a care flow has produced an
activity that needs someone's attention, and that person needs a URL where they can complete it. The two
differ in who decides when that URL comes into existence.

## A link fits when enrollment and access happen at once [#a-link-fits-when-enrollment-and-access-happen-at-once]

Awell generates a link for a published care flow. Put it wherever patients will find it: a button on the
site, an email, a QR code.

Someone clicks, a care flow starts, and they land in their first activity. See
[Trigger with a Hosted Pages link](/docs/automate-with-events/trigger-with-a-hosted-pages-link).

## A session fits when the integrating system controls the handover [#a-session-fits-when-the-integrating-system-controls-the-handover]

Create a session through the API and get back a session URL.

Use a session when the patient already exists, the care flow is already running, and a specific person
has to be handed into a specific activity from inside the integrating application.

See [Hosted sessions in the API reference](/api-reference/reference/hosted-sessions).

## Start with a link; move to sessions when the app must control timing [#start-with-a-link-move-to-sessions-when-the-app-must-control-timing]

|                     | Hosted Pages link    | Session                              |
| ------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Created by          | Awell, per care flow | The integrating system, per handover |
| Starts a care flow  | Yes                  | No, the flow already exists          |
| Control over timing | Whoever clicks       | The integrating application          |
| Effort              | Almost none          | An API call                          |

A session adds an API call, which is worth it when only the integrating system knows the right moment.

## Next steps [#next-steps]

**Next:** [Embed or redirect](/docs/embed-and-host/redirect-or-embed) once a URL exists.