# Getting Started

> How to create a Plauder.Party account, open Cinny, and send your first Matrix message; optional voice/video via LiveKit.

Explains what Plauder.Party is (Matrix + Cinny + LiveKit), requirements (email, modern browser), registration, joining rooms, and next steps.

Create an account and send your first message on Plauder.Party


## What is Plauder.Party?

Plauder.Party is an open platform for community chat - text, voice, and video in one place. Under the hood it uses the Matrix protocol: your messages are not locked to a single vendor, and you can (with some limits) use other Matrix clients too.

For day-to-day use we recommend **Cinny** in the browser or as a desktop app. Voice and video run through **LiveKit** inside supported rooms.

## Requirements

- A valid **email address** (for registration and password reset)
- A modern browser (Firefox, Chromium, Safari) or the Cinny desktop app
- Optional: a Matrix client on your phone (e.g. Element or FluffyChat)

## Create an account

1. Open the Plauder.Party web client (e.g. [app.plauder.party](https://app.plauder.party)).
2. Choose **Register** / **Create account**.
3. Pick a **username** and a **strong password**.
4. Enter your **email address** and confirm it if prompted.

After registration you receive a Matrix ID in the form:

```text
@yourname:plauder.party
```

This ID is your unique address on the platform - keep it handy if you sign in with another client later.

{{% alert context="info" text="Usernames often cannot be changed later. Pick a name you are comfortable keeping." /%}}

## First login

1. Sign in with your username (or full Matrix ID) and password.
2. On first launch, Cinny may ask you to **back up encryption keys** - important for encrypted rooms (see [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting.html)).
3. Browse the room list or follow an invite link from the community.

## Join your first room

Find public rooms via:

- the **room list** / **Explore** feature in the client
- **invite links** (`matrix.to` links or room URLs) shared by the community
- direct search for room aliases, e.g. `#welcome:plauder.party`

Tip: if a welcome room exists, start there - you will often find rules, announcements, and help from moderators.

## What to learn next

| Step | Page |
| --- | --- |
| Set up a client on your phone | [Matrix Account & Clients](matrix-account.html) |
| Rooms, DMs, and mentions | [Rooms & Chat](rooms-and-chat.html) |
| Start voice or video | [Voice & Video](voice-and-video.html) |
| Something is not working | [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting.html) |

## Community guidelines

Before posting content, read the guidelines in the [Terms of Use](/en/terms.html). Respectful behaviour, no harassment, and no spam apply across the platform.