> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Complete the Setup Guide

> Open the in-app Setup Guide, track onboarding progress, and finish the six setup steps your facility needs before daily work.

Use the [Setup Guide](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/onboarding/v2) when you want a clear view of what your facility still needs before customers and staff rely on the app every day.

The Setup Guide is the same page as the **onboarding wizard hub**. It shows six large cards — Facility, Customers, Cars, Contracts, Billing, and Team — so you can finish setup one topic at a time.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Setup Guide vs. onboarding wizard**
>
> **Setup Guide** ([Setup Guide](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/onboarding)) — a checklist with **Set up** buttons that jump to any settings page. Good when you want to pick tasks in any order.
>
> **Onboarding wizard** ([Onboarding wizard](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/onboarding/v2)) — a guided six-step flow (facility, customers, cars, contracts, billing, team). Good when you prefer one topic per screen after first sign-in.
>
> See [Complete the onboarding wizard](/docs/basics/complete-the-onboarding-wizard.md) for the guided path.

New to the app? Read [Getting started overview](/docs/basics/overview.md) first for the full first-week path.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Hub vs. step-by-step guide**
>
> This guide explains **how to use the Setup Guide page** and track progress.
>
> For **detailed instructions inside each step**, read [Complete the onboarding wizard](/docs/basics/complete-the-onboarding-wizard.md).

## What you will accomplish

You will learn how to open the Setup Guide, read progress, open any setup step, and know when your facility is ready for daily work.

![Setup Guide page titled Let's set up your account with six step cards for Facility, Customers, Cars, Contracts, Billing, and Team](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS/images/basics/setup-guide.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS\&q=85\&s=e190fb335fa8f879881a4b961451f606)

*The Setup Guide shows six setup areas as large cards. Completed steps display a green check mark.*

![Setup Guide checklist page showing Setup Progress percentage and grouped sections with Set up buttons](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS/images/basics/setup-guide-v1-page.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS\&q=85\&s=f8e1c727c8d6bdbee42a86bc5f5e2525)

*Each section lists related tasks. Click **Set up** beside a task to open the correct settings page.*

## Before you start

* You need a staff login for your facility.
* Your account should have permission to update facility settings.
* If you are not sure about a setting, ask the facility owner or manager before changing it.

## Open the Setup Guide

**1. Sign in to the dashboard**

Go to [Create event](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard) or any staff page.

**Expected result:** You see the main sidebar on the left.

**2. Open Setup Guide**

Use any of these paths:

* Click **Setup Guide** in the left sidebar (it may show a number badge when steps are incomplete).
* Open the direct link [Setup Guide](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/onboarding/v2).
* On some settings pages, click **Open setup guide** in the banner at the top.

**Expected result:** The page title area says **Let's set up your account**.

**3. Read your progress**

When at least one step is finished, the hub shows a progress line such as **2 of 6 complete** with a green bar.

**Why this matters:** You do not need to finish every step in one sitting. The hub remembers what you already completed.

## Work through the six setup steps

Each card on the hub opens one setup area. You can start with **Facility** and move in order, or jump to whichever step your manager assigned.

| Step | Card name | What it covers |
| - | - | - |
| 1 | **Facility** | Name, address, logo, and brand colors |
| 2 | **Customers** | Import a spreadsheet or add customers by hand |
| 3 | **Cars** | Import or add vehicles in your care |
| 4 | **Contracts** | Upload a storage agreement PDF (optional) |
| 5 | **Billing** | Connect Stripe for online payments (optional) |
| 6 | **Team** | Email invites for coworkers |

**1. Click a step card**

Click the card for the setup area you want to work on.

**Expected result:** A focused screen opens for that topic with **Save & continue** at the bottom.

**2. Complete the fields on that screen**

Fill in the information you have ready. Use **Skip for now** on optional steps if your manager says billing or contracts can wait.

**Why this matters:** Wrong public details can confuse customers on invoices, forms, and emails — double-check facility name and address on Step 1.

![Facility setup step showing facility name field, address search, and logo upload area](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS/images/basics/onboarding-wizard-facility-step.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS\&q=85\&s=f3b068cfcd8323fe839aca3e9a935741)

*The **Facility** step combines name, address, logo, and colors on one screen. Save before you leave so customers see the right business name on emails and portal pages.*

**3. Save and return to the hub**

Click **Save & continue** when the step looks correct.

**Expected result:** You return to the hub and that card shows a green **Complete** badge.

**4. Repeat until your manager is satisfied**

You do not need all six steps before adding real customers and cars. Many teams finish **Facility**, **Customers**, and **Cars**, then return later for billing and contracts.

![Setup Guide hub with completed Facility and Customers steps showing green check marks](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS/images/basics/onboarding-v2-hub.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YaZhPyY4b9Fq3hyS\&q=85\&s=fa42480ec60cd1d63a2cc224e3a29e03)

*Return to the hub anytime. Green check marks show finished steps; open any card again to review or update information.*

For field-by-field help on each step, read [Complete the onboarding wizard](/docs/basics/complete-the-onboarding-wizard.md).

> [!TIP]
>
> **You do not need 100% to start working**
>
> Many teams add their first customer and car while billing or contracts are still open. Use [Prepare your first customer and car](/docs/basics/prepare-your-first-customer-and-car.md) as soon as facility basics look correct.

## When the Setup Guide disappears from the sidebar

The **Setup Guide** menu item hides automatically after all six steps are marked complete.

That does not mean setup is frozen — you can still change branding, billing, and team access anytime in [Settings](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings).

### Import existing customers and cars (optional)

If your facility already has a spreadsheet of customers or vehicles, you can import many records at once instead of typing each one by hand.

**1. Open Import settings**

Go to [Import Data](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/import).

**Expected result:** The page title mentions import or bulk upload. You see options to upload a file or download a template.

![Import Data page showing tabs to upload customers, cars, events, and photos from spreadsheets](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I/images/basics/import-data-page.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=JR8mbbyqpigpoy1I\&q=85\&s=0c25ed2a1e10220c69181a36cab5611a)

*Open [Import Data](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/import) to upload a spreadsheet. This is optional — many new facilities start with one manual customer and car, then import a full list later.*

**2. Download the template when offered**

Use the facility’s template so column names match what the app expects.

**Why this matters:** A mismatched spreadsheet causes rows to fail or create duplicate records.

**3. Upload and review results**

Upload your file and read the success or error summary before you close the page.

**Expected result:** New customers and cars appear in [Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts) and [Cars](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/cars). Search for a few names to confirm.

For a full walkthrough, read [Import customers and cars](/docs/contacts/import-customers-and-cars.md).

## Helpful tips

* Start with information customers will see: facility name, logo, address, phone, and email.
* Do not invite every teammate until core records and permissions are ready.
* Use [Search your facility quickly](/docs/basics/search-your-facility-quickly.md) (**Ctrl+K** or **⌘K**) to confirm new customers and cars saved correctly.
* Keep setup notes in a shared place if more than one manager is helping.

## Troubleshooting

> [!TIP]
>
> **I clicked a step but I do not know what to enter**
>
> Pause and ask the person who owns that part of the business. For example, ask accounting about billing, ask operations about cars and customers, and ask management about team invites.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **A step still looks incomplete after I saved**
>
> Reopen that step from the hub and confirm you clicked **Save & continue**. Some steps need a successful upload (logo or contract PDF) before they mark complete.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **I do not have permission to open a setup page**
>
> Ask a facility owner or manager to update your access in [Settings > Team](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/team), or ask them to complete that step for you.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **I cannot find Setup Guide in the sidebar**
>
> Use the direct link [Setup Guide](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/onboarding/v2). The sidebar item only appears while onboarding steps are still incomplete.

## What success looks like

* The hub shows green check marks on the steps your team finished (or your manager knows which steps are intentionally deferred).
* Facility name, logo, and time zone look correct on [Settings > Branding](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/branding) and [General](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/general).
* At least one customer and one car exist for daily practice.
* Staff can find records with [Search your facility quickly](/docs/basics/search-your-facility-quickly.md).

## What to do next

After you understand the Setup Guide, read [Getting started overview](/docs/basics/overview.md) for how setup fits into your first week.

Then read [Learn the dashboard](/docs/basics/learn-the-dashboard.md) so your team knows where daily work lives.

When vehicles arrive, open [Use the Create event home page](/docs/basics/use-the-create-event-home.md).

When managers want a single screen for schedule, parking, and inbox, read [Customize your Overview dashboard](/docs/basics/customize-your-overview.md).


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.