# Quick start (/docs/quickstart)



This walkthrough works for any template in your library. You can fill and preview public templates without paying. You need to sign in before you can download a PDF, use cloud features, or open private forms enabled for your account or team.

```text
Pick template -> Fill sections -> Validate -> Review -> Preview -> Download
```

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Sign in or start as a guest [#sign-in-or-start-as-a-guest]

    You can open public templates without an account. Guest and Free work saves in this browser only. Sign in when you are ready to download.

    <Callout type="info" className="docs-callout-info my-4">
      Solo and Team accounts can save cloud drafts so you can move between phone, tablet, and computer.
    </Callout>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Set your state and trade [#set-your-state-and-trade]

    On first sign-in, choose your state and trade. Tradie Forms uses this to show recommended templates on **Overview**, **Templates**, and **New form**.

    You can change this later in [**Settings**](https://tradieforms.com.au/app/settings).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Pick a template [#pick-a-template]

    Open [**Templates**](https://tradieforms.com.au/app/templates) or select **New form** in the sidebar.

    * Recommended forms appear first when they match your profile
    * The full template library is searchable and filterable by state, trade, category, and visibility
    * Private forms appear only after they are enabled on your account or team
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Fill each section [#fill-each-section]

    Work through the sections in order. The form shows progress, required fields, and validation messages.

    Use section help links when available. Complex compliance forms have detailed [Form guides](/docs/form-guides).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Use shortcuts where they fit [#use-shortcuts-where-they-fit]

    Solo and Team users can speed up repeat work with saved details, presets, Fill with AI, address search, ABN lookup, in-form licence search, the standalone Licence check tool, and import from ServiceM8, Fergus, or Xero where supported.

    Connect from [**Connections**](https://tradieforms.com.au/app/integrations), then use the link icon beside supported fields or **Connect import** to pull in a whole job, contact, or project. See [Connections](/docs/features/integrations).

    Use **Fill with AI** from the toolbar when it appears. Describe the job, paste notes, attach a photo, or dictate into the chat, then check every value it fills. The assistant does not sign, attach photos to form fields, lodge, email, or submit the PDF for you.

    Always check imported or reused values before download.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Validate, review, and preview [#validate-review-and-preview]

    Select **Validate** to find missing or invalid fields. Open **Review** to scan your answers, then **Preview** to check the PDF layout.

    Preview does not use a Free download allowance.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Download the PDF [#download-the-pdf]

    Select **Download** when the preview looks right. Free accounts include 3 downloads per calendar month. Solo and Team include unlimited downloads.

    If **Store completed form data** is on, the finished record appears under [**Completed**](https://tradieforms.com.au/app/completed).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Good first checks [#good-first-checks]

* Check names, addresses, licence numbers, dates, readings, and serial numbers
* Confirm customer address and job site address are in the right places
* Make sure signatures and diagrams appear in the PDF preview
* Review anything filled by AI, saved details, lookups, or integrations before download
* Lodge, send, attach, or complete the PDF through the correct authority, customer, or connected app process

<Cards className="docs-cards docs-cards-cols-2 my-6">
  <Card title="Starting a form" icon="hugeicons:play" href="/docs/features/starting-a-form">
    Guest fill, local drafts, cloud drafts, and Start fresh.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Completing a form" icon="hugeicons:clipboard-check" href="/docs/features/completing-a-form">
    Validation, review, toolbar actions, and autosave.
  </Card>

  <Card title="PDF downloads" icon="hugeicons:pdf" href="/docs/features/pdf-export">
    Preview, download, regenerate, and PDF history.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connections" icon="hugeicons:plug" href="/docs/features/integrations">
    Connect ServiceM8, Fergus, or Xero and import job details.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="hugeicons:help-circle" href="/docs/support/troubleshooting">
    Fix common save, access, and download issues.
  </Card>
</Cards>