# Your First 5 Minutes

**Having trouble getting started?** This guide walks you through your first successful experience with AgenticFlow, step-by-step, with actual screenshots and no assumptions about your technical background.

> **🎯 Goal**: By the end of these 5 minutes, you'll have created and tested your first AI agent, understand how credits work, and know exactly what to do next.

***

## Before You Start

**What You Need:**

* An AgenticFlow account (if you don't have one, [sign up here](https://agenticflow.ai))
* 5 minutes of uninterrupted time
* No technical skills required!

**What You'll Learn:**

* How to navigate the AgenticFlow dashboard
* How to create your first AI agent in under 2 minutes
* How to test your agent with a simple task
* How the credit system works
* Where to get help when you're stuck

***

## Step 1: Your Dashboard Tour (30 seconds)

When you first log into AgenticFlow, you'll see the Marketplace:

<figure><img src="https://487764224-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3ppnJjAH1qBNXEYnDPA%2Fuploads%2F1JhnTLzZ14jCjgHOelHQ%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=80030f83-0565-4875-84b6-fd2cba06d921" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Key Areas to Know:**

1. **Top Bar**: Quickly search templates and manage your profile and projects.
2. **+ Create Buttons**: Blue buttons to create new agents or workflows.
3. **Left Sidebar**: Navigate Marketplace, AI Studio (Agents, Workflows, Connections), AI Chat, Documents, and Settings.
4. **Credits Remaining**: See how many credits you have left to run agents and workflows.
5. **Main Area**: Browse, select, and use templates.
6. **Copilot chat**: AI Assistant helps answer your questions about AgenticFlow based on system documentation.

> **💡 Tip**: If your screen looks different, you might be in a different section. Click "Home" in the left sidebar to get to your dashboard.

***

## Step 2: Create Your First Agent (2 minutes)

Let's create a simple AI assistant. AgenticFlow has a sophisticated agent system, but we'll start simple.

### 2.1 Start Creating an Agent

1. **Click the "+ Create Agent" button** in the top right corner
2. **Enter basic information**:
   * **Agent Name**: `My Writing Assistant`
   * **Description**: `Helps me write better emails and content`
3. **Click "Create Agent"**

<figure><img src="https://487764224-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3ppnJjAH1qBNXEYnDPA%2Fuploads%2FiGt7way3I04575jVrtep%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=49de41ec-6c7d-46eb-b048-c1d7b946680f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 2.2 Configure Your Agent (The Real Power)

After creation, you'll see the agent configuration interface with multiple tabs. For now, we'll just set up the basics:

1. **Click the "System Prompt" tab**
2. **Replace the default prompt with this**:

```
You are a helpful writing assistant. You help users:
- Write professional emails
- Improve their writing style  
- Check grammar and tone
- Suggest better word choices

Always be friendly and constructive in your feedback.
```

3. **The system auto-saves** - you'll see a checkmark when saved

<figure><img src="https://487764224-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3ppnJjAH1qBNXEYnDPA%2Fuploads%2F2JZYGWu7P1AMC0MRx2cc%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=24628723-54b5-4ed5-9db1-1bd05e4b84d0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

> **💡 Advanced Note**: AgenticFlow agents can do much more (connect to 300+ tools, use knowledge bases, manage tasks, etc.) but we're starting simple.

***

## Step 3: Test Your Agent (1 minute)

Now let's make sure your agent actually works.

### 3.1 Start a Conversation

1. **Click "Chat" or "Test"** to open the chat interface
2. **Type this test message**: "Help me write a professional email to thank a client for their business"
3. **Press Enter or click Send**

<figure><img src="https://487764224-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3ppnJjAH1qBNXEYnDPA%2Fuploads%2FFIclnLr7rY9WZXuF3V9B%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=28083bec-34c7-4b6d-870b-6986e6dbd12b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 3.2 See the Magic Happen

Your agent should respond with a helpful email template within 10-20 seconds.

<figure><img src="https://487764224-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3ppnJjAH1qBNXEYnDPA%2Fuploads%2Fu5yfcZO8Uh0FxplgdMt6%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a0165772-0b10-4649-98a7-2dfa8b80ac44" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 3.3 What If Nothing Happens?

**If your agent doesn't respond:**

* Check your internet connection
* Make sure you have credits remaining (top right corner)
* Try a shorter, simpler message like "Hello"
* If still stuck, [join our Discord](https://qra.ai/discord) for instant help

***

## Step 4: Understand Credits (30 seconds)

Notice the credit counter in the bottom left? Here's what you need to know:

<figure><img src="https://487764224-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3ppnJjAH1qBNXEYnDPA%2Fuploads%2FSAEcSOw40TTToFVsVih4%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=91388da7-941f-4d51-a33e-0fa35279d1c6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**How Credits Work:**

* Each agent interaction costs 3-4 credits
* You get free credits to start with
* Different actions cost different amounts
* You can see your usage in Settings > Billing

**Don't Worry About Running Out:**

* The platform will warn you before you run out
* You can purchase more credits or upgrade your plan
* Free tier is generous enough for learning and testing

To view usage details, go to **Settings** (click your profile avatar or the bottom-left gear icon) → **Usage**.

<figure><img src="https://487764224-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FZ3ppnJjAH1qBNXEYnDPA%2Fuploads%2FQtdwhqFGcMZPhuwaQxiI%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1c5ac166-d510-418b-b80e-fe683cc9bbd3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## Step 5: What's Next? (1 minute)

Congratulations! You've successfully:

* ✅ Created your first AI agent
* ✅ Tested it with a real task
* ✅ Understood how credits work

### Immediate Next Steps

**Try These Simple Tasks with Your Agent:**

* "Help me write a follow-up email"
* "Make this text more professional: \[paste some text]"
* "What's a better way to say 'please let me know'?"

**When You're Ready for More:**

1. **Explore Templates**: Click "Templates" to see pre-built agents
2. **Create a Workflow**: Try the visual workflow builder
3. **Add Tools**: Connect your agent to Gmail, Slack, or other apps
4. **Join the Community**: [Discord](https://qra.ai/discord) for tips and help

***

## Getting Help

**If Something Doesn't Work:**

1. **Check the FAQ**: Common issues and solutions
2. **Join Discord**: <https://qra.ai/discord> - Real people, real-time help
3. **Email Support**: <support@agenticflow.ai>
4. **Community Forums**: <https://community.agenticflow.ai>

**Documentation that Actually Helps:**

* [Agents Quickstart](https://docs.agenticflow.ai/get-started/agents-quickstart) - Deeper dive into agents
* [Workflows Quickstart](https://docs.agenticflow.ai/get-started/workflows-quickstart) - Visual automation builder
* [Templates](https://docs.agenticflow.ai/get-started/templates) - Ready-to-use solutions

***

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

### "I can't find the Create Agent button"

* Make sure you're on the main dashboard
* Look in the top right corner for blue buttons
* Try refreshing the page

### "My agent isn't responding"

* Check you have credits remaining
* Try a simpler message first
* Check your internet connection

### "The interface looks different from the screenshots"

* We update the interface regularly
* Core functionality remains the same
* [Contact support](mailto:support@agenticflow.ai) if you're completely lost

### "I'm out of credits already"

* Free tier includes substantial credits for testing
* Check Settings > Billing to see usage
* Consider upgrading if you're using it actively

***

**🎉 Success!** You've completed your first 5 minutes with AgenticFlow. You now know more than 80% of new users and have a working AI agent you can improve and expand.

**Questions?** We're here to help - [join our Discord](https://qra.ai/discord) and say hello!