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

# Quickstart

> Install Vantic IQ and get to your first insight in under five minutes.

## Before you begin

Vantic IQ requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later. No integrations or prior configuration needed.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download and install">
    Download Vantic IQ from [vanticlab.com](https://vanticlab.com). Open the `.dmg`, drag Vantic IQ to Applications, and launch it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your account">
    Sign in with email and password, or request a magic link to your email address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Accessibility access">
    macOS will prompt you to grant Accessibility permission — the only permission Vantic IQ needs. This allows the application to detect which applications are active and when — not what those applications contain. If you miss the prompt, see [Accessibility permission](/install-setup/accessibility).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Answer six questions">
    Name, business name, sector, team size, and (optionally) what eats most of your time and your average team hourly rate. Takes about 30 seconds. These shape how Vantic talks to you — not what it measures.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Work normally">
    Vantic IQ is now running in your menu bar. You may see your first Friction Pulse signal within 24 hours. Your first complete Friction Score typically takes 3–5 days once the composite confidence gate is met.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What to expect on day one

When you open the conversational interface for the first time, Vantic greets you by name and presents three tappable questions specific to your sector. You do not need to prompt it or explain your workflows.

<Note>
  Vantic is quiet by default. No notifications, no prompts until it has something confident to say. This is by design.
</Note>

## First week (normal use)

* **Day 0** — Install, account, Accessibility grant, onboarding questions (above).
* **Within 24 hours** — You may see **Friction Pulse**-style signals in chat: single factual signals, not a headline Friction Score yet.
* **Typically day 3–5** — First **Friction Score** once the confidence gate is satisfied (longer if your week was atypical). See [How the Friction Score works](/concepts/how-the-friction-score-works).
* **Any time** — Tune exclusions and deletion in the [Privacy Hub](/privacy-data/privacy-hub). Add [Context Hints](/guides/add-context-hints) when you want answers framed to your role.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/vanticlab/to6QrL3JTkn4SLuw/images/first-week-timeline.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=to6QrL3JTkn4SLuw&q=85&s=db7f66d1c6ac7a80f72248e5c2c4c08c" alt="First week timeline" width="682" height="440" data-path="images/first-week-timeline.svg" />

## If something blocks you

* Permission or first-run issues → [Accessibility permission](/install-setup/accessibility) and [Troubleshooting](/help/troubleshooting)
* Understanding output → [Reading your Diagnostic](/guides/reading-your-diagnostic) and [Using the chat](/guides/using-the-chat)
* Data location and retention → [Data & retention](/privacy-data/data-and-retention)

***

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Friction Score" icon="gauge-high" href="/concepts/how-the-friction-score-works">
    How the score is calculated and what the four bands mean.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Privacy & data" icon="shield-halved" href="/concepts/your-privacy-guarantee">
    Exactly what Vantic detects, what it stores, and what you control.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>