# Getting Started with Tillage

This guide walks you through setting up Tillage and sending your first quote. Most users complete their first quote within 15 minutes of signing up.

## Creating Your Account

1. Visit https://app.tillage.ai/signup
2. Sign up with your email or Google account
3. No credit card required—the free tier is fully functional

## Initial Setup Steps

### Step 1: Set Up Your Team Profile

After signing up, you'll be prompted to set up your team:

1. Enter your company name
2. Add your business address
3. Upload your company logo (optional but recommended)
4. Set your brand colors for professional documents

### Step 2: Configure Business Settings

Navigate to Settings to customize your experience:

- **Quote Defaults:** Set your default variance buffer (typically 10-20%) and profit margin
- **Invoice Numbering:** Customize your invoice number format (e.g., INV-2025-001)
- **Quote Numbering:** Customize your quote number format (e.g., QT-2025-001)
- **Payment Terms:** Set default payment terms (e.g., Net 30 days)
- **Currency:** Choose your currency and formatting preference

### Step 3: Connect Payment Processing

To collect payments, connect your Stripe account:

1. Go to Settings > Payments
2. Click "Connect with Stripe"
3. Complete the Stripe onboarding process (takes about 5 minutes)
4. Once connected, you can accept credit cards and bank transfers

### Step 4: Import Your Clients (Optional)

You can add clients manually or import them:

**Manual Entry:**
1. Go to Clients > Add Client
2. Enter company name and contact details
3. Add multiple contacts per client if needed

**Import from Harvest:**
1. Go to Settings > Integrations
2. Connect your Harvest account
3. Click "Import Clients" to bring over all your existing clients and contacts

## Creating Your First Quote

### Option 1: AI-Assisted Quote Generation (Premium)

1. Click "New Quote" from the dashboard
2. Select a client (or create a new one)
3. Enter a project name
4. Click "Generate with AI"
5. Describe your project in plain English
6. Review and customize the generated line items
7. Adjust quantities, pricing, and variance as needed
8. Send to your client

### Option 2: Manual Quote Creation

1. Click "New Quote" from the dashboard
2. Select a client
3. Enter a project name
4. Add line items manually:
   - Enter a description
   - Set quantity (hours, units, etc.)
   - Set unit price
   - Set variance buffer (risk percentage)
5. Set your global profit margin
6. Preview and send

### Option 3: Use a Template

1. Click "New Quote"
2. Select "Use Template"
3. Choose from your saved templates
4. Customize as needed
5. Send to client

## Sending Your Quote

1. Click "Preview" to see how your quote will look
2. Click "Send Quote"
3. Enter the recipient's email address
4. Customize the email subject and message (optional)
5. Click "Send"

Your client receives an email with a secure link to view and respond to the quote.

## After Quote Approval

When your client approves a quote, you have several options:

### Generate a Contract
1. Click "Create Contract" from the approved quote
2. The Contract Wizard guides you through:
   - Selecting contract type
   - Configuring payment schedule
   - Adding terms and conditions
   - Setting up signatures
3. Send the contract for digital signature

### Create an Invoice Directly
1. Click "Create Invoice" from the approved quote
2. The invoice is pre-populated with quote line items
3. Set the due date and send

## Setting Up Recurring Billing

For retainer clients or ongoing services:

1. Create a contract with an "Ongoing Services" block
2. Configure:
   - Billing frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually)
   - Start date
   - Auto-send preferences
3. Invoices generate automatically on schedule

## Next Steps

Once you're comfortable with the basics:

- **Create Service Templates:** Save frequently-used services for quick quote creation
- **Set Up Contract Templates:** Create reusable contract templates for different project types
- **Configure Invoice Reminders:** Automate follow-ups for overdue invoices
- **Explore Analytics:** View cash flow projections and revenue metrics

## Getting Help

- **Documentation:** https://tillage.ai/docs
- **Email Support:** support@tillage.ai
- **In-App Help:** Click the help icon in the bottom-right corner

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*Related: [Pricing](/llms/pricing.txt) | [AI Quoting](/llms/features/ai-quoting.txt) | [Contracts](/llms/features/contracts.txt)*