---
title: Getting started
description: The path from a new studio to its first proposal, in seven steps.
---


Seven steps take a new studio from requesting access to sending its first proposal. Each step says where the control is, so you can find it again later.

## 1. Request access and open your studio

Millstone is opening to a few studios at a time. Go to `/signup`, enter your studio name, website and email, and press **Request access**. You will hear by email when your place comes up. Every studio starts on a 14-day trial, and nothing is charged until you choose a plan.

## 2. Brand it

Press the studio mark at the top of the rail, then **Studio settings**. The Brand pane opens. Upload an **Icon** (the square mark for the rail) and a **Logo** (the wide wordmark for documents). Pick an **Accent colour**, then set the **Interface tint** and **Roundness**. Choose an **Interface typeface**, or upload your own. Every control is described in [Settings](/docs/studio/settings).

![The Brand pane of Studio settings: studio name, custom URL, icon, logo, accent colour, tint, roundness and typeface.](/docs-assets/settings-brand.png)

## 3. Enter your business and payment details

In Studio settings, open **Business details**. Fill in the business name, address, email, phone, website and VAT number, and who signs for the studio. Under **Payment**, add the bank account, payment terms and a payment note. Documents copy these details when they are issued, so set them before you send anything.

## 4. Invite the team

Open **Accounts** in the rail, under Admin. Press **Invite to studio**, enter an email address and choose what they join as: **Team** can do the work; **Admin** can also change settings, billing and who else has access. Only an owner can invite. No email is sent: the dialog shows a join link once, and you pass it on. Nothing is granted until they open it and sign in as that address. Every role is described in [People, companies and contractors](/docs/work/people).

## 5. Add a client company and its people

Open :icon[Briefcase] **Companies** and press **New company**: a name, an optional email and a status. Then open :icon[UserCircle] **People** and press **New person**: a name, email, phone, the company they belong to and a type. A person with a company sits behind that company's projects, proposals and invoices. Leave the company blank for a lead or a freelancer who is not attached to a customer.

## 6. Create the first project

Open :icon[FolderOpen] **Projects** and press **New project**. Choose the company, or leave it as the studio's own internal work. Name the project and pick its **Stage**: Lead, Scoping, Production, Delivery, Ongoing or Complete, with Parked for a job that has stopped. Clients only see projects past scoping. Open the project for its Overview, Deliverables, Tasks, Documents and People tabs, and see [Projects](/docs/work/projects) for what each holds.

## 7. Send the first proposal

Open :icon[Signature] **Contracts** in the rail and raise one against the project. The proposal takes your business details and brand from steps 2 and 3, and the client signs it from a link. See [Proposals](/docs/work/proposals).

> **Tip** Home is where a day starts once the studio is set up. It lists what needs you, what is due and what you are waiting on. See [Welcome](/docs/start/welcome).

## In the app

- `/signup`
- `/admin/settings/brand`
- `/admin/settings/business`
- `/admin/accounts`
- `/admin/companies`
- `/admin/people`
- `/admin/projects`
- `/admin/contracts`