> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://softr.gitbook.io/softr-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://softr.gitbook.io/softr-documentation/getting-started.md). # 👋 Getting Started Welcome to Softr knowledge base! In this section you’ll find everything you need to get started. We’re happy to begin the journey with you. Let’s go! ## **Basic Concepts** Softr's core concept is the **building** **block**. You have the freedom of arranging the blocks in any order, grouping them into **pages** and defining a particular set of links and relationships within your **application** as well as with [external parties](/softr-documentation/integrations.md). Another key concept is the **database**, which allows you to display a collection of data to your users or collect some data from them instead. Softr uses [Airtable](/softr-documentation/guides/airtable.md) for that purpose, which is a powerful and easy-to-use tool. ## Dashboard After logging in, you'll be taken to the [Dashboard](/softr-documentation/workspaces.md). The **Dashboard** is where all your apps live. This is where you organize all your projects and invite others to collaborate with you. It is also the starting point for creating new apps. ![Dashboard](https://3426011356-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M0NiyhsmXAcV5u1c6XK%2F-Me_UJgLe-AWSou1oZ9Y%2F-Me_Uz5SNZH4HkhbfI0p%2Fdashboard-b.png?alt=media\&token=4ca0ba7b-00e0-4c31-90e9-7d12cd35144b) ## **Creating Your First Application** On your **Dashboard**, you'll see the **New Application** button as well as some template suggestions next to it. ![Adding a new application](https://3426011356-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M0NiyhsmXAcV5u1c6XK%2F-Me_UJgLe-AWSou1oZ9Y%2F-Me_WEeriH4mmUfLjtuB%2Fadd-new-application-b.png?alt=media\&token=5ee366da-d7e6-42fc-88bc-e631869761bd) After hitting the **New Application** button, a pop-up will appear, where you can either select the **Blank** option or choose from the variety of templates from different categories. We'll discuss creating apps from templates separately, so let's choose the **Blank Application** option now.

In the screen that follows, you'll be prompted to enter your [Airtable API key](/softr-documentation/guides/airtable/how-to-find-airtable-api-key.md) to be able to link your Airtable database when building your app. You also have the option of [skipping this step](#undefined) and adding the key later on when you actually need it. Next, you'll proceed to a screen where you can add a few pre-built [pages](/softr-documentation/studio/pages.md) to your application that include such [building blocks](/softr-documentation/building-blocks.md) as a [List](/softr-documentation/building-blocks/listings.md), [List Details](/softr-documentation/building-blocks/listing-details.md), [Form](/softr-documentation/building-blocks/form.md), [User Profile](/softr-documentation/memberships/user-accounts-blocks/user-profile.md) and others.

Adding pre-built pages to your new application

So, choose the pages that you want to add and hit **Create Application** to finalize the setup. Then, you'll be immediately taken to your new Softr application and can start working on it. ### If Airtable API key setup was skipped If you had skipped the Airtable API key step in the initial application setup, you'll see a **Setup Airtable** button when you view any of the dynamic block (i.e. a block that is linked to an Airtable database) settings. So, you can just click the button, [add your Airtable API key](/softr-documentation/guides/airtable/how-to-find-airtable-api-key.md), and start configuring the block. The following gif illustrates this.

### Setup Checklist Lastly, when you navigate to [Studio](#studio) after setting up your application, you'll see a **Follow Me** button in the bottom right corner of the screen, which will open the list of tasks you need to complete to have a fully-functional app. Clicking on the task will help you quickly navigate to the corresponding section of your app or will show you how to configure it. See below.

That's all you need to know to get started from scratch. Next, we'll see what it looks like when you create a new application from a template. ## Creating an Application from a Template When you hit **Create a New Application**, you'll enter the template gallery where you can navigate the different categories or use the search bar if you know what you're looking for. ### Step 1: Selecting a Template On hovering the template thumbnail, you'll see a **Preview** button. Click the button to select the template.

The template page has a detailed description of the template with all of its features and functionality as well as an image gallery with some screenshots. The gallery also includes an interactive screen with a preview of the template's Airtable database (**if the template comes with one**), and there's also a button that opens a pop-up with two options: * **Open Application.** This option will open the **template preview** app, where you can actually navigate the template and try out its features. * **View Airtable Base**. This one (again, you'll see this option only if the template has a database linked to it, which is not always the case), in turn, will open the template's Airtable database, which you can play around with as well.

### Step 2: Airtable Setup If the template comes with a database, your next step will be the Airtable setup, where you need to [add your Airtable API key](/softr-documentation/guides/airtable/adding-airtable-api-key.md). You can also choose to [Connect Later](#undefined). ### Step 3: Select Base Lastly, you need to copy the template's database to your Airtable account to make it your own and be able to customize it as you wish. As soon as you copy the base, it will be automatically selected in your template setup, and you can hit **Create Application** to complete the setup and proceed to your template. The following gif demonstrates the steps.

Copying the base and creating the application

### If the "Connect Later" option has been chosen If the Connect Later option has been chosen when setting up the template, you can connect Airtable later on from within your application by clicking on any of the dynamic blocks (i.e. those that work with an Airtable base) and choosing **Setup Airtable**.

Setting up Airtable from your application

After completing the setup and navigating to your application, you can start customizing the template and will also have a [setup checklist](#setup-checklist) the same way you did when creating an app from scratch. ## Studio ![Softr Studio](https://3426011356-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M0NiyhsmXAcV5u1c6XK%2F-Me_pIrrk7wML_5Kvp_S%2F-Me_pVbOcuRmY84b797s%2Fstudio-b.png?alt=media\&token=bd75ff0e-bb40-4674-b84f-488110fa2c27) The [Studio](/softr-documentation/studio.md) is your workspace where you design and build your app. Let's check how the navigation is organized here. In the **left toolbar,** you can access [Pages](/softr-documentation/studio/pages.md), [Blocks](/softr-documentation/building-blocks.md), [Data](/softr-documentation/memberships.md#data-section), as well as the app [Settings](/softr-documentation/studio/application-settings.md). On the left-hand side of the **top navigation bar**, you see the page you're currently editing and its path. In the center, you have the option to switch to tablet or mobile views to see what your page would look like on smaller screens. In the upper right corner, you have the **Preview** button, which can be used to preview your app at any moment, and the [**Publish**](/softr-documentation/publishing-applications.md) button. {% hint style="info" %} Please, note that on all the pages you have the **live chat button** in the bottom left corner, which you can use to get in touch with us whenever you have a question, complaint, or a suggestion. {% endhint %}