# Quickstart Overview (/start/quickstart.md)
  # Quickstart Overview [#quickstart-overview]

Send your first message in minutes. A verified email address and phone number are enough to start; compliance paperwork comes later.

<Callout type="success">
  **Light onboarding is live.** All you need is a verified email and phone number to access the API, 6 pre-built templates, and 500 sends/day per template. Compliance comes later, when you're ready to create your own templates or send from your own number.
</Callout>

<VideoCarousel items={playlistFor(VIDEOS.onboarding)} defaultVideoId="onboarding" />

## Start Here [#start-here]

<Cards>
  <Card
    href="/start/try-sent"
    title="⚡ Try Sent: Quick Start"
    description="Verified email + phone number. First send in ~2 minutes. 6 pre-built OTP templates, 500 sends/day per template, full API access."
  />
  <Card
    href="/start/quickstart/first-message"
    title="🚀 Quick API Start"
    description="Already set up? Jump straight to sending your first message via the API."
  />
</Cards>

---

## Ready for Production? [#ready-for-production]

When you want to create your own templates or send from your own number, complete the full setup:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Account Setup [#account-setup]

    Create your account and complete KYC verification. [Learn more →](/start/quickstart/account-setup)

    <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">⏱️ ~10 minutes</span>

    - Sign up at [app.sent.dm](https://app.sent.dm)
    - Verify your phone number via WhatsApp
    - Complete business verification (KYC)
    - Set up billing
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Channel Setup [#channel-setup]

    Configure your SMS, WhatsApp, and RCS sender. [Learn more →](/start/quickstart/channel-setup)

    <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">⏱️ ~5 minutes</span>

    - Select your business phone number
    - Connect WhatsApp Business account
    - Enable RCS messaging
    - Configure payment methods
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Create Your First Template [#create-your-first-template]

    Build a custom message template. [Learn more →](/start/quickstart/first-template)

    <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">⏱️ ~5 minutes</span>

    - Choose from samples or build from scratch
    - Add dynamic variables
    - Submit for approval
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Send Your First Message [#send-your-first-message]

    Make your first API call. [Learn more →](/start/quickstart/first-message)

    <span className="text-sm text-muted-foreground">⏱️ ~2 minutes</span>

    - Get your API keys from the dashboard
    - Send via API, SDK, or Playground
    - Track delivery status
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What Full Setup Unlocks [#what-full-setup-unlocks]

| | Light Onboarding | Full Setup |
|---|:---:|:---:|
| Pre-built templates (OTP & verification) | 6 | 6 + custom |
| Sends per day (per template) | 500 | Unlimited |
| REST API | Yes | Yes |
| Custom templates | No | Yes |
| Your own sender number | No | Yes |

## Next Steps After Setup [#next-steps-after-setup]

- **[Explore the Dashboard](/start/quickstart/dashboard-walkthrough)**: Learn all dashboard features
- **[Set up Webhooks](/start/webhooks/getting-started)**: Receive real-time delivery notifications
- **[Install an SDK](/sdks)**: Integrate Sent into your app
- **[Read the Concepts](/start/concepts)**: Understand the architecture

## Need Help? [#need-help]

- [Troubleshooting](/start/reference-guides/troubleshooting): Common issues and solutions
- [email support](mailto:support@sent.dm): contact the Sent team

---