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

# Getting Started

> Create a department and finish the setup wizard.

***

## What You Need

* A parent server where you're the owner or have the Administrator permission.
* A free department slot on that server, or be ready to buy a plan. See [Plans & Billing](/Department/plans).
* An icon for the department.
* Optionally, a Discord server for the department where you have the Discord Administrator permission.

***

## Create a Department

Start from your dashboard by clicking **New**, then **Department**. You can also click **Create department** in **Departments → Overview** on the parent server, which picks that server for you.

<Frame caption="Create New Department">
  <img className="block" src="https://mintcdn.com/melonly/i1rqxQ5i7_nEi96Y/images/Departments/GettingStarted/create.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=i1rqxQ5i7_nEi96Y&q=85&s=ee6c2826f379574cf6cd34ee85fbdc0e" alt="The Create New Department form with Department Name, Department Icon, Parent Server and Link Your Discord Server fields" style={{ borderRadius: '0.75rem' }} width="1918" height="989" data-path="images/Departments/GettingStarted/create.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Fill in the Details">
    Enter a name, upload an icon, pick the parent server and, if you like, a Discord server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Department">
    If the parent server has no free slot, you'll be asked to [buy a plan](#no-free-slot) first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite the Bot If Asked">
    If the Melonly bot isn't in your Discord server yet, you're sent to Discord to add it, then brought back.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish the Setup Wizard">
    You land on the department's Home page and the [setup wizard](#onboarding-wizard) opens.
  </Step>
</Steps>

| Field | Description |
| - | - |
| Department Name | 3 to 100 characters, with at least one letter. You can rename it later. |
| Department Icon | Required. You can change it later. |
| Parent Server | The server that owns the department. Only servers you own or administer are listed. This can't be changed later. |
| Link Your Discord Server | Optional. The department's own Discord server. |

<Warning>
  A Discord server can only be linked to one Melonly server or department. If yours is already linked, run `/unlink` in that Discord server first.
</Warning>

A new department starts with you as its only member, one rank called First Rank with no permissions and a random join code. Rename that rank and set its permissions in [Ranks](/Department/roster/ranks).

### No Free Slot

If the parent server has no free slot, the create page shows the Departments plans.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Subscribe">
    Pick monthly or annual billing and a plan. Checkout opens in a new tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate It on the Parent Server">
    Click **Manage subscriptions** on your dashboard and activate the plan on your parent server. See [Activate a Subscription](/Department/plans#activate-a-subscription).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the Department">
    Come back and click **Create Department**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Plans bought from the parent server's Departments page are attached to that server automatically, so you can skip activation.
</Tip>

***

## Onboarding Wizard

The setup wizard opens for administrators right after the department is created.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Pick a Department Type">
    Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, DOT, Dispatch or Civilian. This decides which CAD panel your members use. See [Department Types](/Department/Introduction#department-types).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Link Discord (Optional)">
    Pick a Discord server and a shouts channel. Shouts then sync both ways between Melonly and that channel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite Your Members">
    Copy your join link and share it. See [Joining a Department](/Department/joining).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save** to finish.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Next Steps

| Task | Where |
| - | - |
| Set up ranks and permissions | [Ranks](/Department/roster/ranks) |
| Add custom roster columns | [Roster Settings](/Department/settings/roster) |
| Add pinned buttons to Home | [Pinned Buttons](/Department/settings/general#pinned-buttons) |
| Set up shift logs, roles and nicknames | [Discord Integration](/Department/settings/discord) |
| Control who can use the join code | [Join Code](/Department/settings/general#join-code) |

***

## Joining a Department

Members join with your join link or join code. See [Joining a Department](/Department/joining) for how requests and auto-join work.

***

## Convert an Existing Server

Already running a team as its own Melonly server? You can turn it into a department and keep its members, roles and most data. See [Converting a Server](/Department/converting).

***

<Card title="Need help?" icon="headset" href="https://melonly.xyz/discord">
  Still have questions? Join our Discord server for support from the Melonly Team.
</Card>


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