Quickstart Guide

Quickstart Guide

Get started with Global Watch in just 5 minutes. This guide walks you through the essential steps to create your first forest project.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• A valid email address for account registration
• Modern web browser (Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, or Edge 90+)
• Internet connection

Step 1: Create Your Account

1. Navigate to Global Watch
2. Click Sign Up in the top right corner
3. Enter your email address and create a password
4. Verify your email by clicking the link sent to your inbox

Password Requirements

Your password must meet these security requirements:

• Minimum 12 characters
• Mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• At least one number
• At least one special character
• Not a commonly used password

Step 2: Complete Onboarding

After signing in, you'll be guided through a brief onboarding process:

1. Profile Setup - Add your name and profile picture
2. Account Type - Choose between personal or team account
3. Preferences - Set your language and notification preferences

Account Types

Step 3: Create Your First Project

Once onboarding is complete, create your first forest project:

Using the Dashboard

1. Click the New Project button on your dashboard
2. Enter a project name (e.g., "Amazon Reserve North")
3. Add an optional description
4. Click Create Project

Adding Project Boundaries

After creating the project, define its boundaries:

1. Open your project from the dashboard
2. Navigate to the Map tab
3. Use the drawing tools to outline your forest area
4. The system automatically calculates the area in hectares

// Example: Project area is automatically calculated
const projectArea = calculateHectares(geometry);
// Returns: 1,250.5 hectares

Step 4: Add Your First Asset

Assets represent items within your forest project:

1. Navigate to the Assets tab in your project
2. Click Add Asset
3. Choose an asset type (e.g., Tree, Equipment, Marker)
4. Set the location on the map
5. Fill in the asset details
6. Click Save

Asset Types

Step 5: Invite Team Members (Optional)

If you're working with a team:

1. Go to Settings → Members
2. Click Invite Member
3. Enter their email address
4. Select their role (Owner, Admin, or Member)
5. Click Send Invitation

Quick Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

Navigation

URL Structure

Global Watch uses subdomain-based routing:

What's Next?

Now that you have your first project set up, explore these features:

• Projects Guide - Learn advanced project management
• Assets Guide - Deep dive into asset tracking
• Members Guide - Manage team permissions
• API Reference - Integrate with external systems

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

I didn't receive the verification email

Check your spam folder. If you still don't see it, click "Resend verification email" on the sign-in page. Make sure to add noreply@global.watch to your contacts.

The map isn't loading

Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. If the issue persists, try a different browser.

I can't create a project

Verify that you've completed the onboarding process. Check that you have the necessary permissions if you're part of a team account.

OAuth login fails

Ensure you're using the correct callback URL. For development, use http://app.localhost.direct:3000/auth/callback.

Need More Help?

• Read the detailed Installation Guide
• Explore the Features Guide for detailed documentation
• Contact support@global.watch