# Getting started

> Try Flopinio safely in a demo workspace, then set up your first real client, project, and request.

Source: https://flopinio.com/help/getting-started · Last updated: 2026-10-29 · Status: Shipped

## Start with a demo, then go live

The fastest way to learn Flopinio is to explore a demo workspace first. It comes with a sample client, projects, tasks, tracked time, and a draft invoice, so you can click through the whole loop without emailing anyone or charging anything.

When you're ready, you set up your real client and repeat the same steps with real work.

## Your first 10 minutes in the demo

The demo option appears on the dashboard while your workspace is empty or still in first-time setup.

1. Open the dashboard and choose **Try a demo project - 1-click, no setup**.
2. Look around the generated Acme demo. It includes a client, a Website Revamp project, a Maintenance Retainer project, tasks, time entries, and a draft invoice.
3. Follow the checklist. Rename a task, start and stop a timer once, then preview the sandbox invoice.
4. Choose **Preview auto-invoice (sandbox)** to watch the sample invoice go through sending and a simulated payment. Nothing leaves Flopinio.
5. When you're done, choose **Convert this demo to a real project** to keep it, or **Discard demo** to remove it.

## Set up your first real client

1. Open **Clients** and choose **Add Client**. Add the company name, contact details, and billing terms.
2. Open **Projects** and choose **Add Project** for that client. The project is where the work is organized.
3. Capture the client's first ask as a [request](https://flopinio.com/help/requests), or confirm one that arrived in [External Inbox](https://flopinio.com/help/external-inbox).
4. When the request is clear, convert it into one or more [tasks](https://flopinio.com/help/tasks).
5. Track time against those tasks. See [Time tracking](https://flopinio.com/help/time-tracking).
6. Create the invoice from that tracked time. See [Invoices](https://flopinio.com/help/invoices).

## Example: A first week with Northstar Health Labs

You add Northstar Health Labs as a client and create a Patient portal launch project. On Monday, Northstar emails asking for rollback guidance before a steering call. You capture it as a request, link it to the launch project, and convert it into the task "Close rollback-checklist ownership gaps". You log 12.5 hours of coordination and 4 hours of preparation. At month end, you import those 16.5 hours into a July invoice, review it, and send it.

## Note: How AI fits in

AI features suggest and draft; they don't change records on their own. Request triage, note review, assistant drafts, invoice preparation, and automation recommendations all produce something you review and apply. AI features need plan access and a funding source, either hosted credits or an explicitly selected OpenAI or Anthropic key. If one is unavailable, check [Agent activity](https://flopinio.com/help/agent-activity) and [Company and billing](https://flopinio.com/help/company-and-billing).

## FAQ

### Does the demo send real emails or charge anyone?

No. The demo runs in a sandbox. Sending and payment in the demo are simulated and make no external calls.

### Can I keep the demo data?

Yes. Choose **Convert this demo to a real project** to keep it. Otherwise choose **Discard demo** to remove it.

### What should I set up first in a real workspace?

Start with one client and one project. Everything else (requests, tasks, time, and invoices) hangs off those two records.