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

# Getting Started

> Sign in, set up a workspace, connect your repository, and run your first Patrol.

This guide walks through everything needed to go from a fresh sign-in to your first test run.

**1. Sign in**

Open your Watchtower workspace and sign in. If you don't have an account yet, use the sign-up link on the same screen to create one.

Watchtower keeps you signed in across visits, so you land straight on your Dashboard the next time you open it.

**2. Set up or join a workspace**

Watchtower gives every account a default workspace automatically, so you can get started right away. If a teammate has invited you to theirs, open the invite link (or the notification bell if you're already signed in) and click **Accept invite**.

To create an additional workspace of your own, use the workspace switcher at the top of the sidebar and choose **New workspace**. See [Workspaces](https://docs.watchtower.systems/v0.7.0/guides/workspaces.md) for invites, roles, and member management.

**3. Connect your repository**

On a brand-new workspace, the sidebar shows a **Connect Codebase** button instead of the usual sync button. Click it to open **Configuration**, then go to the **CI / Repos** tab.

Click **Connect GitHub** and follow the prompts to install Watchtower's GitHub App on your account or organization, then choose the repositories you want it to access.

> [!TIP]
>
> If your repository can't use the GitHub App (for example, a self-hosted GitLab setup), the **CI / Repos** tab also has manual setup instructions for GitHub Actions and GitLab CI. See [Connecting a Repository](https://docs.watchtower.systems/v0.7.0/guides/connecting-a-repository.md).

**4. Choose a test source**

Right after connecting, Watchtower asks **which repo should feed Test Center**. Only one repository can be the test source at a time; it gets the reporting workflow installed and its tests appear in Test Center. Pick a repository, or choose **None (Watchman analysis only)** if you only want AI review of pull requests without a tracked test inventory.

Any other connected repositories stay available for Watchman analysis only. You can switch the test source at any time from **Configuration → CI / Repos**.

**5. Sync your codebase**

Click **Sync Codebase** in the sidebar. Watchtower scans your test source for spec files and imports them into folders that mirror your repository's structure. Re-run sync any time; it also runs automatically whenever you load the app or reconnect a repository.

**6. Set up your environments**

If your team tests against more than one environment (staging, production, etc.), add them under **Configuration → Codebase → Environments**. Environments show up as filters throughout Watchtower and as a picker when you run Patrol.

**7. Run your first Patrol**

Open **Test Center → Patrol**, choose a test suite (or leave it on **All Tests**), pick an environment if you configured one, and click **Run Patrol**. Results stream into the console live, and pass/fail counts land on your Dashboard as soon as the run finishes.

## What's next

> [card] [Navigating Watchtower](https://docs.watchtower.systems/v0.7.0/navigating-watchtower.md)
>
> Get familiar with the sidebar, top bar, and main views.

> [card] [Test Center](https://docs.watchtower.systems/v0.7.0/test-center.md)
>
> Learn how tests are organized, prioritized, and triaged.


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