# Creating an account and workspace

> **What you will learn**
> Actually creating an account and opening a workspace. Follow along with the
> screens.

## 1. Create an account

Start at the [sign-up screen](/signup).

![Sign-up screen](/guide-assets/cn-signup.png)

Two ways.

| Method | Character |
|---|---|
| **Continue with Google** | fastest. No verification email |
| **Sign up with email** | name, email, password, then confirm the verification email |

### If you signed up with email

**One verification email is sent.** You have to click that link to complete the
login.

```
□ if it did not arrive, check spam
□ on a work address, check the external-mail blocking policy
```

## 2. Log in

If you already have an account, go to [log in](/login).

![Log-in screen](/guide-assets/cn-login.png)

## 3. Create a workspace

After logging in you get a screen to pick a workspace or create one.

Two things to decide.

| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| **Name** | the display name |
| **Handle** | the short name that becomes the address. Lowercase letters |

```
Name:    Sales
Handle:  sales
Address: /w/sales
```

> **Changing the handle later breaks links you shared.**
> Choose carefully, as covered in [workspaces](/guide/cn-workspace).

### Decide how to split them first

You do not need several from the start. **Start with one and add when needed.**

## 4. What you see inside

Entering a workspace drops you **straight into a chat box.** The menu is on the
left.

| Menu | What |
|---|---|
| New work | start a new thread; the ▾ beside it is **add groups** (new group · new section · browse groups) |
| Drive | the workspace file store (icon at the right of the New work row) |
| (conversation list) | your threads so far, filed under [groups](/guide/cn-groups); the rest sit under **My work** |
| Agents | things that run without you → [agents](/guide/cn-queue) |
| Tools | manage sub-agents and tools |
| System management | register your machine (admins only) |
| Settings | members, tools, usage, credits (gear at the right of the account row) |

> **Notifications are not in settings — they live inside the 🔔 in the header.**
> Worth knowing up front, because people look for them → [Getting
> notifications](/guide/cn-notifications)

**It is empty at first.** Start a conversation and the left-hand list fills up.

## 5. Bring the team in

If it is not just for you, invite members.

Invite by email under **Settings → Members**. Details in
[members and roles](/guide/cn-members).

## Next

You can go straight to [your first conversation](/guide/cn-first-chat), or if you
want the concepts first, start at [what Connect is](/guide/cn-what-is-it).

## Where people get stuck

### The verification email does not arrive

```
□ check spam
□ check the corporate mail policy (external mail blocked)
□ work around it with Google login
```

### I got an invite but the link will not open

Invite links **expire.** If it has, ask the person who invited you to send
another.

### I lose track of which workspace I'm in

The current workspace name is shown at the top left. Click it to switch.

---

## Check yourself

**1. What extra step does email sign-up require?**

<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>

**Clicking the link in the verification email** to complete the login. Google
login does not have this step.
</details>

**2. Why choose the handle carefully?**

<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>

**The handle is the address** (`/w/<handle>`), so changing it later breaks every
link you shared with the team.
</details>

**3. Should you create several workspaces from the start?**

<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>

No. **Start with one and add when needed.** Splitting is easier than merging.
</details>

---

Now your first conversation → [Your first conversation](/guide/cn-first-chat)