#getting-started #dashboard #navigation When you log in to PAI, you'll be greeted by your dashboard, which serves as your home screen. This guide will help you understand the dashboard layout and key functionality. ### Welcome Header The top section provides: - **Personal Greeting**: Shows your name and current date/time - **Theme selector:** Click to customize your dashboard's color theme - **Quick Actions**: "Add New" button, quickly create new projects, campaigns, or add new clients or vendor records. - **Global Search**: Quick access to find projects, vendors, or other resources (also accessible via Cmd+K/Ctrl+K) ## Getting Started from the Dashboard ### For New Users 1. **Explore Quick Links**: Use the bottom section to familiarize yourself with PAI's main areas 2. **Review Recent Projects**: See what projects you have access to 3. **Check Upcoming Days**: Understand your production schedule ### For Returning Users 1. **Access Recent Work**: Use project cards for quick access to active projects 2. **Review Schedule**: Check upcoming production days for planning 3. **Manage Tasks**: Update your personal task list ### Creating New Items 1. Click the "Add New" button in the top right 2. Select from the dropdown options: - **Project**: Create a new production project - **Client**: Add a new client to your CRM - **Vendor**: Add a new crew member or vendor - **Campaign**: Create a new campaign for grouping projects 3. Complete the creation form for your selected item ### Core Dashboard Widgets PAI comes with this standard widget set: > [!abstract] Jump to Project > You can quickly access the last four projects you have created or are shared on that have been updated. > [!abstract] Upcoming Days > This widget shows a 10-day forecast of all project days you have been assigned to as a contact. For project creators, project days are shown regardless of day assignment. > [!abstract] My Tasks > This widget shows upcoming tasks that you have created or have been assigned to you by another user, and their due dates. You can add a task directly by clicking the "Add Task" line. Tasks can be given dates, by default the task due date will be set to the next day. > [!abstract] Org Timeline > This widget shows a forecast of upcoming projects in a timeline style layout. The widget includes filtration to show specific day types. You can select the Staff view to see staff assignments across upcoming projects. > [!abstract] My Projects > This widget shows all projects you have created or are assigned to in order of most recently updated. The list displays the projects name, reference number, its last update date, User assignments, and its status. ### Quicklinks Navigation These provide access to: **Projects**: Manage all production projects [[Projects & Estimates]] - View all projects in list or calendar format - Create new projects - Access project workspaces - Manage project status and metadata **Sales**: CRM and sales pipeline management [[Client CRM & Pipeline]] - Client database management - Contact tracking - Opportunity pipeline **Crew**: Vendor database and crew finder [[Vendor CRM & Crew Finder]] - Crew list and vendor management - Geographical crew search - Vendor portal integration - Vendor classification **Insights**: Analytics and reporting [[Insights]] - Financial performance metrics - Comparative project analysis - Custom reporting **Payroll**: Organization-wide accounts payable [[Accounts Payable]] - Invoice processing across projects - Payment scheduling - Vendor payment tracking **Expenses:** Organization-wide Expense Table - Expense tracking across projects - Expense Reporting > [!note] > Your access to these sections depends on your user role and permissions. Not all users will see all sections. ## Related Topics - [[User Interface|User Interface]] - [[Reference Numbers & Job Codes|Project Reference Numbers]] - [[Projects & Estimates|Projects and Estimates]] © 2025 PAI Tech, Inc. [paihq.com](https://www.paihq.com/)