# First Login and Setup
This guide covers everything from receiving your invitation to being ready to work in PAI. If you're an organization admin setting up a new workspace, there's a section for you at the end.
## Step 1: Accept Your Invitation
Access to PAI starts with an email invitation sent by your organization's administrator.
- The invitation email comes from
[email protected]
- It contains a secure link unique to your account
- The link expires after 7 Days.
> [!tip]
> If you don't see the invitation, check your spam folder. Add
[email protected] to your safe senders list to ensure you receive future system notifications.
## Step 2: Create Your Account
Clicking the invitation link takes you to the account creation page. Your email address is pre-filled — you can't change it here.
1. Create a password that meets the following requirements:
- Minimum 8 characters
- At least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character
2. Accept the terms of service
3. Enter your profile information:
- First and last name
- Job title
- Phone number
> [!important]
> Your name, job title, and phone number appear in system-generated documents. Enter them exactly as you want them to appear.
## Step 3: Log In
Navigate to [app.paihq.com](https://app.paihq.com) and enter your email and password.
PAI uses two-factor authentication by default. After entering your credentials, a one-time code is sent to your email address. Enter the code to complete the login.
> [!note]
> If your organization uses Single Sign-On (SSO), you'll be redirected to your identity provider instead of the standard login screen. Follow your organization's instructions for SSO access.
## Step 4: Complete Your Profile
After your first login, take a moment to verify your profile information is complete and accurate.
1. Click your user icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen
2. Review and update:
- **Job Title** — appears on call sheets and other logistical documents
- **Phone Number** — appears on logistical documents
- **Notes** — optional, visible to your team only
## Devices and Browser Support
PAI is a web application designed for desktop use. Full functionality is available in the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For the best experience with PAI's data tables, a screen resolution of 1920×1200 or wider is recommended.
On tablets and mobile devices, only the Vendor Portal is optimized for smaller screens. The main application is not designed for mobile use.
---
## Admin Setup
If you're the administrator setting up a new PAI workspace, complete the following before any other users start working. Getting this right first means every project your team creates will inherit the correct defaults.
### Configure Organization Settings
1. Navigate to **Settings → Organization**
2. Enter your company information — this appears on all estimate and invoice documents:
- Company name and address
- Phone number and website
3. Upload your company logo (PNG or SVG with transparent background recommended; at least 300×100px)
4. Enter your EIN if applicable (optional, no downstream effects in the current version)
5. Set your organization defaults:
- **Minimum Hours** — default minimum hours for day-based line items across all new projects
- **Standard Templates** — boilerplate text for project scope, billing notes, and internal overviews
> [!important]
> Organization settings affect all users and all documents generated in your workspace. Only administrators should modify them.
For a full reference on everything configurable at the organization level, see [Organization Settings](../01-Organization-Setup/Organization-Settings.md).
### Set Up Your Rate Card
PAI includes a base rate card of approximately 300 common line items, so you're not starting from scratch. You can begin using it immediately and expand it over time — the most natural way to build it out is using the **Save to Rate Card** feature inside estimates, which adds new items as you create them.
If you'd prefer to configure it before your first project, see [Rate Cards](../01-Organization-Setup/Rate-Cards.md).
### Add Users
1. Go to **Settings → Users**
2. Click **Add User**
3. Enter the user's email, first name, and last name
4. Select their role — see [Users and Permissions](../01-Organization-Setup/Users-and-Permissions.md) for a full breakdown of what each role can access
5. Choose an invitation method:
- **Create Only** — adds the user to the system without sending an invitation. Use this for users who need to exist as contacts or assignees but don't need login access yet.
- **Create and Invite** — sends an invitation email immediately, prompting the user to create their account and access your workspace
---
## Troubleshooting
**Invitation link expired** — Links expire after 48 hours. Ask your organization's PAI administrator to resend the invitation.
**Not receiving the OTP code** — Check your spam folder. If the code still doesn't arrive, use the option on the login screen to resend it.
**Forgot your password** — Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page at app.paihq.com.
**Wrong email address** — You must use the exact email address the invitation was sent to. If you need to change it, contact your administrator.
**Browser issues** — Try a different browser or clear your cache. Chrome is recommended for the most consistent experience.
---
Once you're logged in and set up, see [Navigating PAI](./Navigating-PAI.md) for an orientation to the main sections of the application.