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

# Use the dashboard

> Use the dashboard as the workspace entry point for setup progress, quick actions, and recent activity.

## Summary

The dashboard is not just a vanity landing page. In the current app, it is a state-aware workspace entry point that changes depending on how complete the account setup is.

That makes it important to document as a workflow surface, not just as a navigation destination.

## Who this is for

* New users orienting themselves after onboarding
* Operators checking workspace activity
* Teammates using the dashboard as the daily starting point

## Where to find it in the app

* **Dashboard**

## What the current dashboard actually does

### Setup-aware guidance

The dashboard switches between three different modes:

| Dashboard state  | What you see                                                                                               | What it means                                                            |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Getting started  | a step sequence for selecting a writer agent, selecting a reviewer agent, and testing the starter campaign | the workspace is not ready for normal operations yet                     |
| Going live       | a step sequence for sender identity, outgoing provider, and optional incoming email setup                  | the team has moved past first-agent setup but is not operationally ready |
| Operational mode | quick actions plus recent received and sent communications                                                 | the core setup flow is complete and the team can use the app day to day  |

That is a strong signal that the dashboard should be treated as a progress surface, not just a metrics screen.

### Metrics and activity

The dashboard also shows top-level counts for:

* total agents
* total campaigns
* total contacts
* total emails sent

Once setup is complete, it also surfaces:

* quick actions
* recent received communications
* recent sent communications

## How to read the dashboard correctly

### If you still see Getting Started

You are still in first-run mode. In the current flow, that usually means:

1. a writer agent has not been selected yet
2. a reviewer agent has not been selected yet
3. the starter campaign has not been test-run yet

Simple version: if the dashboard is still prompting you to generate your first message, do that work before worrying about advanced campaign operations.

### If you see Going Live

This means the product is telling you that agent setup happened, but delivery infrastructure is still incomplete. In the current app, that sequence is focused on:

1. email identity
2. outgoing provider
3. optional incoming email setup

### If you see Quick Actions and recent activity

This is the "normal operating mode" dashboard. At that point, the dashboard becomes a quick orientation layer rather than the main place to do detailed work.

## How to use it well

### During initial setup

Treat the dashboard like a checklist hub. It is telling you what kind of setup work is missing, so follow the step sequence instead of bouncing randomly through the sidebar.

### After launch

Treat the dashboard like a high-level pulse check. Use it to decide whether you need to jump into campaigns, contacts, communications, or analytics next.

## A practical operating loop

1. Open the dashboard first.
2. Identify whether you are in setup mode, going-live mode, or operational mode.
3. Use the metric cards to jump into the area that actually needs attention.
4. If recent communications look unusual, continue into **Communications** rather than trying to diagnose everything from the dashboard.
5. Return to the dashboard when you need a fast "what changed?" checkpoint.

## What the dashboard is not for

* it is not the best place to review a campaign in detail
* it is not the best place to troubleshoot communication history deeply
* it is not a replacement for the campaign, communications, or analytics workspaces

## Common mistakes

* treating the dashboard as if it should show every operational detail
* ignoring the setup sequence and jumping into campaign work too early
* assuming recent activity on the dashboard is enough context without opening the related communication or campaign
* using the dashboard as the only reporting surface instead of switching to **Analytics** when you need actual performance review

## Success checklist

* [ ] New users know whether they are still in setup mode or in normal operating mode.
* [ ] Teams understand that quick actions and recent communications appear after the core setup flow is complete.
* [ ] The metric cards are used as jump points into real work, not as the entire workflow.
* [ ] The dashboard is used as an orientation surface, not mistaken for the full operating workflow.

## Related pages

* [Quickstart](/getting-started/quickstart)
* [Connect email and SMS](/getting-started/connect-email-and-sms)
* [Manage communications](/workflows/manage-communications)
* [Create and edit campaigns](/workflows/create-and-edit-campaigns)