> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.activenow.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.activenow.io/en/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

Welcome to ActiveNow! Everything you need to get up and running is right here.

## Step 1 — Configure the basics

Before adding participants and instructors, set up the things that affect the whole system:

* [Add your school logo](/en/getting-started/adding-school-logo.md)
* [Set up how you bill your participants](/en/billing/billing-schedule-types.md)
* [Configure proficiency levels](/en/getting-started/managing-proficiency-levels.md)
* [Adjust the calendar to your school's working hours](/en/getting-started/calendar-and-season-settings.md)
* [Add the venues where you run your classes](/en/getting-started/venues-management.md)
* [Set up your SMS sender name](/en/communication/sending-sms-and-email-to-participants.md#setting-the-sms-sender-name)

## Step 2 — Add participants and instructors

* [Add participants to the system](/en/getting-started/adding-participants-to-the-system.md) — if you have them in an Excel file, read about [how we can import them into the system for you](/en/getting-started/import-data.md)
* [Add instructors to the system](/en/getting-started/adding-instructors-to-the-system.md)

## Step 3 — Create classes and assign participants

* [Create classes in the system](/en/getting-started/creating-new-classes.md)
* [Assign participants to classes](/en/getting-started/adding-a-participant-to-a-group-course.md)

## Step 4 — Pick what you need

The next steps depend on which features your school needs.

**Want to collect online sign-ups for courses?** → [Collecting Sign-Ups for Group Courses](/en/online-sign-ups/sign-up-table.md)

**Want to accept online payments?** → [Setting Up Online Payments (PayU)](/en/billing/payu-configuration.md)

**Want participants to report and make up for absences?** → [Reporting Absences and Making Up Lessons in Group Courses](/en/absences-and-makeup-classes/reporting-and-making-up-absences.md)


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