Use .start to request the normal countdown, .wait when you need a little more time, and .queue to see upcoming maps. If you are the only player, ready up for automatic starting; you can also explicitly request .start.
Commands go in lobby chat with a leading dot. Most voting and Mania selection controls require you to be an actual gameplay participant. Spectators do not count as players. See using commands and countdown help.
Follow practical session examples or the Mania style walkthrough. Find a command by name, alias, purpose, or lobby mode in the command reference.