# Quick Start Guide

Ready to get started? We created a quick start guide to help you get into the flow of using Kosmo. Below you'll find the recommended steps to get an overview of the complete platform. For a deep dive into each feature, check out the menu items on the left.

## Signing Up for Kosmo

Signing up for Kosmo is completely free and you don't have to enter your credit card information to get started. After entering your email address and password, you'll be taken to your Kosmo dashboard. If it's your first-time logging in, you'll see a **Complete Signup** form. Enter your information like **name, company name, title,** and **address**. This information will be used to pre-fill invoices, contracts, and proposals and to streamline your workflow. 

## Dashboard

Your dashboard shows your most important stats like **hours worked, latest projects** and gives an overview of **received, outstanding,** and **overdue income.** You can also set your **monthly income** goal which is automatically updated through paid invoices. When you just get started with Kosmo, you'll also see four onboarding steps to guide you through the platform. The onboarding cards will prompt you to **add a client, create a project, set up payments** and **create an invoice**. To get to know the features even if you don't have an active job, we suggest using sample data for the client, project, and invoice to get familiar with the platform.

![Kosmo Dashboard](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2FmE1YPx1qVc8MbCW5yBTo%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-13%20at%2012.45.46%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=286d8514-0ac2-4a40-a579-42639efd4a4d)

## Settings

To speed up your workflow, we recommend heading to your settings first. In your settings, click on **branding** and upload your **logo, brand color,** and **header.** Your branding materials will be added automatically to your invoices and proposals, so you don't have to adjust the template styles every time. 

![Branding in Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2Fm1iGSWiaQesxpALuuX3v%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-12%20at%204.01.10%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=8ed11279-f63d-444d-afee-56f34b443b1b)

While you're in your settings, also click on **payments** to set up your preferred payment methods for your invoices. You can link your Stripe account to accept payments via credit cards, debit cards, and ACH, or enter your PayPal email address to request payment through PayPal. If you prefer to get paid via a different payment method not listed here, enter the details under **other payment option**. These instructions will then display on your invoice.

## Clients

To add a new client, click "Add Client" and enter some basic information, like **client name** and **client email.** Once you created a client, you'll be taken to the client overview. The overview shows the invoices and projects that are associated with the client. You can also add more details by clicking the edit buttons. For example, add the client's **address** and **website**. This information will later be pulled to pre-fill client data for invoices, proposals, and contracts.

![Client overview in Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2FROvKkrWWLgyF3pCZG3yR%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-09%20at%204.25.05%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=f6c7311c-9355-420f-9001-e6d3bece682a)

## Project

Next, let's create a project for the client. Click "New Project". Enter a **project name** and choose a **client** from the drop-down or add a new client by clicking the + icon. You can also already set the **currency** and indicate the **hourly rate**. These settings will later be used to automatically fill out parts of the contract, invoice, and proposal. After clicking "create", you'll be taken to the **project overview.**  Here you can find stats related to the project such as invoices, time tracked, notes, files, and documents. You'll also see a little menu on top where you can see and create the project's **tasks**, as well as **notes** and see the project's **invoices** and **tracked time** in more detail. 

![Project overview in Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2FistxHh8XwzItKp3JiKoN%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-09%20at%205.05.37%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=194efa9e-75e9-4794-8fe4-aaaca15954b0)

## Proposal

Once you're ready to pitch your client your offer for a new job, click "New Proposal". Choose a **client** and a **project** or create new ones by clicking the + icon. You'll be guided through 4 easy steps. 

1. Enter **general information,** for example, **proposal title** and **recipient name**.
2. List your **proposal items**. What are you planning to do for the client and how much will it cost?
3. Fill out or hide c**ustom sections** like the **timeline** or **additional services** you might offer.
4. Choose a **style**. Decide what template works best for your proposal and if you'd like to add branding. 

Finally, review the proposal and sent it out to the client. The client will receive the proposal via email and can sign it to approve the proposal. When the client submitted their signature, you'll get notified via email and can start the work.

![Proposal preview in Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2Fzut2AtlQxm4jG8QWDca9%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-11%20at%205.12.25%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=d7c9c137-5881-4177-888f-0050044150f1)

## Contracts

To make sure you're protected, and that the client understands the terms of the work, you can create a contract on Kosmo and have it signed digitally. Click "Create New Contract" and read the contract notice. You can choose between a **standard** and **custom contract.** The standard contract will guide you through 4 simple steps:

1. **Client info,** like **recipient name** and **address.**
2. **Deliverables,** to explain what you are hired to do.
3. **Timeline and location** of the work agreement.
4. **Project payment**, to specify the payment terms such as **rate** and **late fees.**

Review and sign the contract online and send it via email to your client. As soon as the client digitally signed the contract, you'll receive a notification via email. Both you and the client will also receive a signed PDF copy of the contract along with an activity log.

![Standard contract on Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2Fd9RtrpEZXi5WQb9GPGB2%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-11%20at%202.48.25%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=6164442b-e0ed-4688-98a4-69f9e91826d9)

If you'd like to make changes to the standard contract or use your own, choose the **custom contract** option after clicking "create new contract". You'll see the standard contract in an editor that can be modified to suit your needs. The custom contract can also be signed digitally and comes with an activity log as well.

![Custom contract on Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2F7fWAGQYJPPeqxiDZrEJF%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-11%20at%203.44.03%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=285d6754-9958-47e1-9d8a-9cbe7102873d)

## Tasks

Instead of clicking into a project to add a task, you can also see and manage all to-do items by clicking the **tasks** menu item. To generate a new task, click "add task" and enter a **title**. You can also link the task to a **project** and give it a **due date.** If you have to do the same task regularly, mark the to-do item as **recurring** and choose the frequency. You can also add a **note** to explain the task a bit more.

You can see **all tasks** or check what tasks are already **done** and which ones are due **today** and **tomorrow**. 

To mark a task as complete, click the square next to the task name.  

![Tasks on Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2FuBN6PxTvYjKbG1NdR0Bk%2Ftasks%20on%20kosmo.png?alt=media\&token=b2e4d3b2-0f54-4694-b517-9e8b32052d64)

## Time Tracker

When you're ready to start your work, you might want to track your time so you can later bill the client for the time spent on the project. You can start the time tracker from multiple places on Kosmo, such as the **dashboard** and **project**. One location that is always visible is in the **top menu.**

![](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2FY0D4fYIhi4QTLRcy8Tj6%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-05-12%20at%204.42.20%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=d46358cf-96e7-42b4-8481-61531d1d93ca)

Click the "Track Time" button. You can choose a **project** and a **task.** If no task is selected, you can still name the work session so it's easier to find later in your timesheet. Please note that in order to add a timed work session to an invoice, you'll need to choose a project from the time tracker drop-down. 

To **stop** the time tracker, click the stop button. \
You can see all your tracked sessions in the **Time Tracker** menu item and edit them here to adjust the time or project. 

If you forgot to start the time tracker, you can **add hours manually.** Click the "Add Hours" button and fill out some information like the associated project and the date for this work session.

![Time tracker overview on Kosmo](https://442784952-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F8Wz1psyFYFlr2IanSQzC%2Fuploads%2F0fDAIXH1o5fwPocaNyfE%2Ftime%20tracker%20on%20kosmo.png?alt=media\&token=92e00783-ac71-48d7-9248-810c5730a2f6)

## Invoices

Ready to bill your client? Head over to **Invoices.** Here you can see and manage all drafted, sent, and paid invoices. To create a new invoice, click the "New Invoice" button. You can create an **invoice based on a project** or create a **manual invoice**. If you want to just send a quick invoice that is unrelated to a project, click the **"**Manual Invoice**"** button. Enter the client details and invoice items (you won't be able to add tracked time). 

To create an **invoice for a project,** choose the project from the drop-down. You can complete an invoice in 4 quick steps:

1. Enter **general information**, such as **sender** and **client address.**
2. Add your **invoice items**. You can either enter your invoice items **manually** or choose **tracked worked sessions.** 
3. Choose your preferred **payment method** and enter any **conditions and notes.**
4. Decide on a **style.** Some styles are more minimalistic while others allow you to add your logo and header.

Once you're ready, send the invoice to your client's email address. The client can then view and pay the invoice via your indicated preferred method of payment. You'll also receive a notification that the invoice was paid.

## Welcome on Board

We're excited that you are part of the Kosmo community. If you ever run into any issues or have ideas on how the platform could be improved, please feel free to reach out to us by sending an email to <support@joinkosmo.com>