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

# Getting started

> Create your establishment and set up your first item in a few minutes.

All you need is a Need Alert account. The same account lets you subscribe to items and run establishments.

**1. Create your account**

Sign up with your name, email, and password, and confirm your address through the link you receive: creating an establishment requires a confirmed email. If you already have an account, sign in.

**2. Create the establishment**

In the menu, click **Create establishment** and then **Get started**. Fill in the unit's name and time zone. For your first unit, also pick the **Chain country**: it sets the currency of the credit packages and can't be changed later. Click **Save establishment**. Category, description, phone, and address are optional.

You can complete the details, location, and logo later in **Settings**. The category helps people find you in search.

**3. Add your first item**

Open **Items** and click **New item**. Give it a name, choose the alert type, and save. The QR code is generated right away. See [Items and QR codes](https://docs.needalert.app/en/establishments/items-and-qr-codes.md).

**4. Put up the QR code**

Download the QR code or click **Print poster** and place it where customers can see it: window, counter, shelf, front desk.

**5. Send the alert**

When the item becomes available, open it and click **Send alert**. See [Send alerts](https://docs.needalert.app/en/establishments/send-alerts.md).

> [!TIP]
>
> When you create your first establishment, your chain gets a welcome bonus of credits so you can try your first dispatches. See [Credits](https://docs.needalert.app/en/establishments/credits.md).

## The establishment dashboard

After you create an establishment, **My establishments** shows up in the menu. Inside each establishment you'll find:

| Section | What it's for |
| - | - |
| **Overview** | The unit's status, identifier, time zone, and category |
| **Items** | What your customers can wait for, with each item's QR code and subscribers |
| **Dispatches** | History of alerts sent and scheduled dispatches |
| **Catalog** | Products shared by every unit in the chain |
| **Credits** | Balance, package purchases, and statement |
| **Team** | Members and invites |
| **Roles** | What each team member can do |
| **Integrations** | API keys for your chain's system to use Need Alert. See [Integrations](https://docs.needalert.app/en/establishments/integrations.md) |
| **Settings** | Details, address, location, logo, and search visibility |

**Team**, **Roles**, **Integrations**, and **Settings** only show up for the owner. **Credits** only shows up for the owner and for anyone with the **Manage billing** permission. In the other sections, what you can do depends on your [permissions](https://docs.needalert.app/en/establishments/team-and-roles.md).

## Showing up in search

Need Alert users can search for establishments by name, category, or proximity. In **Settings**, the **Show in search** option controls whether your unit appears.

* When it's off, the unit disappears from search, but the direct link and QR codes keep working.
* Without a location, the unit appears when searching by name and category, but not in **Near me**.

## Multiple units

If you have more than one shop, create one establishment per unit. They all belong to the same chain, share the credit balance and the catalog, and each has its own items, subscribers, and team. To switch units, use **Switch establishment** in the menu.


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