> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stackshift.cloud/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create your account

> Create an account, verify access, and understand the first-run requirements before deploying anything.

<Tip>
  **Live.** This area is documented as current, user-reliable behavior.
</Tip>

## Goal

Get to a usable dashboard state with the right account and plan context.

## Prerequisites

* Access to the StackShift control plane URL

## Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Create an account and complete email verification if prompted.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Confirm you can sign in to the dashboard and reach the main navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Review your plan and any first-run gating banners before proceeding.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What this unlocks

* Access to the dashboard and product navigation
* Visibility into plan and account context
* The ability to continue into GitHub, node, and deployment setup

## What to check before moving on

* You can sign in consistently without getting bounced back to auth screens.
* Your plan and account context look correct in the dashboard.
* You can reach the main product areas without missing-access errors.

## Expected result

<Check>
  You can reach the dashboard and start platform setup work.
</Check>

## Related guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Connect GitHub" href="/getting-started/connect-github">
    Link GitHub so project-style deployments can pull repositories and deployment metadata cleanly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect your first node" href="/getting-started/connect-your-first-node">
    Bootstrap a Linux host into StackShift and verify it is healthy enough to host workloads.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>