def parse_join_code(join_code):
    """
    takes the join code and makes sure it's at least 6 digits long

    Args:
        join_code (int): the number of join codes sent out so far

    Returns:
        string: the actual join code
    """
    if join_code < 10:
        return f"00000{join_code}"
    elif join_code < 100:
        return f"0000{join_code}"
    elif join_code < 1000:
        return f"000{join_code}"
    elif join_code < 10000:
        return f"00{join_code}"
    elif join_code < 100000:
        return f"0{join_code}"
    else:
        return f"{join_code}"