# Quick Start Guide

> Create and send your first document for signature in under 5 minutes.

edition: both
Edition: Lite + Pro
AI note: This page applies to Lite and Pro. Call out Lite limits (PDF only, max 2 signers, email OTP, local timestamp) when they apply. Do not invent Pro-only features.
HTML: https://docs.wpsigner.com/getting-started/quick-start/
Markdown: https://docs.wpsigner.com/md/getting-started/quick-start.md
Source file: getting-started/quick-start.md

---

This guide walks you through creating and sending your first document for signature. By the end, you'll have a fully signed PDF with a complete audit trail.

> **Lite limits**
**Lite** accepts **PDF only** and a maximum of **two** invited signers, with email OTP and local timestamps. Prefer the dedicated **[First Document on Lite](/getting-started/first-document-lite/)** guide if you installed from WordPress.org. **Pro** removes those limits — see [Lite vs Pro](/getting-started/lite-vs-pro/).

## What You'll Create

In this tutorial, you'll:
- Upload a PDF document
- Add a signer
- Place signature fields
- Send the document
- View the signed result

**Time required**: ~5 minutes

---

## Step 1: Access the Document Wizard

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Click **WPsigner** in the left sidebar
3. Click **New Document** (or the "+" button)

You'll see the 4-step document creation wizard.

---

## Step 2: Upload Your Document

**Supported formats**: PDF, PNG, JPG

### Option A: Drag & Drop
1. Drag your PDF file into the upload area
2. Wait for the upload to complete

### Option B: Click to Browse
1. Click the upload area
2. Select your file from your computer
3. Click **Open**

After upload, you'll see a preview of your document.

> **tip**
For best results, use PDF files. They maintain formatting across devices and support multiple pages.

**Click "Next"** to continue.

---

## Step 3: Add Signers

Now add the people who need to sign this document.

### Add Your First Signer

1. Enter the signer's **Name** (e.g., "John Smith")
2. Enter their **Email** address
3. (Optional) Enter their **Phone** number for SMS notifications

### Multiple Signers

To add more signers:
1. Click **Add Signer**
2. Fill in their details
3. Repeat for each signer

### Signing Order

Choose how signers will receive the document:

| Mode | Description | Best For |
|------|-------------|----------|
| **Parallel** | All signers receive emails at the same time | Quick signatures, co-signers |
| **Sequential** | Signers receive emails in order (1st, then 2nd, etc.) | Approval chains, contracts |

> **tip**
For contracts that need to be signed in a specific order (e.g., employee → manager → HR), use **Sequential** mode. The first person you add is Signer #1 (their signature fields).

On **Pro 3.2.0+** you can type two characters to pick a WordPress user, check **Add me as signer #1**, or require a matching WordPress login on a row. Details: [Creating Documents](/core-features/creating-documents/#wordpress-users).

**Click "Next"** to continue.

---

## Step 4: Place Signature Fields

This is where you tell WPsigner where signers should sign.

### The Field Toolbar

On the left side, you'll see available fields:

| Field | Icon | Purpose |
|-------|------|---------|
| **Signature** | ✍️ | Full signature capture |
| **Initials** | AB | Smaller initial signature |
| **Date** | 📅 | Current date (auto-filled) |
| **Text** | Aa | Free-form text input |
| **Checkbox** | ☑️ | Yes/no options |
| **Dropdown** | ▼ | Select from options |

### Placing Fields

1. **Click** on a field type in the toolbar
2. **Click** on the document where you want to place it
3. **Drag** the field to adjust its position
4. **Resize** using the corner handles

### Assigning Fields to Signers

When you have multiple signers:
1. Click on a placed field
2. Select which signer should complete it
3. Each signer has a unique color for easy identification

### Multi-Page Documents

- Use the page navigation at the bottom
- Place fields on any page
- Scroll through pages using the arrows

**Click "Next"** to continue.

---

## Step 5: Review & Send

Before sending, review your document setup:

### Review Checklist

- ✅ Document uploaded correctly
- ✅ All signers added with valid emails
- ✅ Signature fields placed in the right locations
- ✅ Fields assigned to the correct signers

### Add a Personal Message (Optional)

1. Enter a custom message for your signers
2. This appears in the signing request email

### Send the Document

1. Click **Send Document**
2. Confirm the action
3. Emails are sent immediately to signers

---

## What Happens Next

### For You (Document Owner)

1. You'll see the document in your dashboard
2. Status shows as "Sent" or "Pending"
3. You can track who has viewed/signed

### For Signers

1. They receive an email with a secure signing link
2. They click the link (no account needed)
3. They complete their assigned fields
4. They submit their signature

### When Complete

1. All parties receive a copy of the signed document
2. A Certificate of Completion is appended to the PDF
3. The document is digitally sealed

---

## Viewing Your Signed Document

After all signers complete their signatures:

1. Go to **WPsigner → Documents**
2. Find your document (status: "Completed")
3. Click to open the document
4. Click **Download** to get the signed PDF

### What's Included

The completed PDF contains:
- All original content
- Rendered signatures in place
- Certificate of Completion page with:
  - Document ID and hash
  - All signer details
  - Timestamps and IP addresses
  - QR code for verification

---

## Example Walkthrough

Let's create a simple NDA:

### Scenario
You need "Jane Doe" (jane@example.com) to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

### Steps

1. **Upload**: Drag your NDA.pdf into WPsigner
2. **Signer**: Add "Jane Doe" with email jane@example.com
3. **Fields**: 
   - Place a **Signature** field on the signature line
   - Place a **Date** field next to it
4. **Send**: Click "Send Document"

Jane receives an email, clicks the link, signs, and you both get the completed NDA automatically!

---

## Common Questions

### Do signers need an account?
No. Signers receive a secure one-time link. No login required.

### Can I edit a document after sending?
No. Once sent, documents are locked to ensure legal validity.

### What if a signer doesn't receive the email?
1. Check their spam folder
2. Use the **Resend** option in your dashboard
3. Verify the email address is correct

### How do I cancel a sent document?
1. Open the document
2. Click **Actions → Void Document**
3. All signers are notified

---

## Next Steps

Now that you've sent your first document:

- **[Signer Workflows](/core-features/signer-workflows/)** - Sequential vs parallel signing
- **[Field Types](/core-features/form-fields/)** - All available field options
- **[Email Templates](/customization/email-templates/)** - Customize signing emails
- **[Appearance](/customization/appearance/)** - Logo, signing buttons, and portal
- **[Bulk Send](/core-features/bulk-send/)** - Same template, many emails from a CSV
- **[Branding](/customization/whitelabeling/)** - Add your company logo