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

# Get your PlayaOS camp membership portal up and running

> Create your PlayaOS account, set up your camp organization, configure branding, and share your portal URL with applicants — step by step.

This guide walks you through the full setup path from a blank account to a live camp portal ready to accept applications. You'll create your organization, configure the basics, invite your admin team, and open your application form.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your PlayaOS account">
    Go to [playaos.app](https://playaos.app) and sign up. You can register with an email and password or use SSO if your organization supports it.

    Once you're signed in, you land on the platform dashboard where you manage your camp organizations.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your camp organization">
    Click **New organization** and fill in three fields:

    * **Camp name** — your camp's full display name (e.g., "Camp Sunrise Collective"). This appears throughout the portal and in emails to members.
    * **Slug** — the URL identifier for your camp (e.g., `sunrise-collective`). This becomes your portal address: `sunrise-collective.playaos.app`. Use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only.
    * **Preset** — choose the type that best describes your camp.

    | Preset         | Best for                                      |
    | -------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
    | Theme camp     | A Burning Man village or neighborhood camp    |
    | Art car        | A licensed mutant vehicle collective          |
    | Mutant vehicle | Same as art car — pick either                 |
    | Festival camp  | Non-Burning Man festival camps                |
    | Regional camp  | Regional Burning Man events                   |
    | Membership     | Dues-based membership organizations           |
    | Operations     | Infrastructure and service crews              |
    | Lite           | Simple member lists without the full workflow |
    | Other          | Anything that doesn't fit above               |

    The preset configures your camp's default features. You can adjust individual settings later.

    <Note>
      New organizations start on the Free plan, which supports up to 10 members and provides admin tools without a member-facing portal. Upgrade to the Camp or Network plan to unlock the full member portal and application workflow.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure camp branding">
    After your organization is created, go to **Settings → Branding** to set the details your members will see:

    * **Contact email** — where members can reach camp leadership
    * **Givebutter URL** — your Givebutter campaign link for collecting dues (required for payment features)
    * **Instagram handle** — optional; displays in member-facing pages

    Your camp name and portal URL are already set from step 2. If you want to update the display name without changing your slug, you can do that here too.

    <Tip>
      Set your contact email to a shared address (like `info@yourcamp.com`) rather than a personal inbox — it's what members see when they need help.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite your admin team">
    Go to **Settings → Team** and invite the people who will help you manage the camp. Enter each person's email address and assign their role:

    * **Admin** — can review applications, manage members, assign shelters, schedule shifts, and send emails
    * **Super admin** — everything an admin can do, plus access to billing, settings, and managing other admins

    Invitees receive an email with a link to join your organization. They'll need a PlayaOS account (or they'll create one when they accept).

    <Info>
      You are automatically assigned the super admin role when you create the organization.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the application form">
    Go to **Applications → Settings** and enable the application form. You can configure:

    * Which fields are required vs. optional
    * Whether applicants need a referral from an existing member
    * Custom questions specific to your camp

    While the form is closed, applicants who visit your portal URL will see a message that applications are not currently open. Open the form when you're ready to receive submissions.

    <Warning>
      The application form and member portal require the **Camp plan** (\$19/mo) or higher. On the Free plan, you can still manage members manually through the admin dashboard.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Share your camp portal URL">
    Your camp portal is live at `yourslug.playaos.app`. Share this URL with prospective applicants — it's where they'll apply, log in, and access their member dashboard once approved.

    Applicants visit the portal, click **Apply to join**, and complete the application form. Their submission lands immediately in your **Applications** queue.

    <Tip>
      Add your portal URL to your camp's social media profiles, website, and any recruitment posts before opening applications. PlayaOS doesn't have a public camp directory — applicants need to know your URL to find you.
    </Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What's next

With your portal live, explore the rest of the setup guides to get fully configured:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Plans and billing" icon="credit-card" href="/setup/plans-and-billing">
    Compare Free, Camp, and Network plans and upgrade when you're ready.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Payment integration" icon="money-bill" href="/setup/payment-integration">
    Connect Givebutter to collect dues directly through the member portal.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Managing applications" icon="inbox" href="/admins/managing-applications">
    Review submissions, schedule vibe checks, and approve members.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Branding and config" icon="palette" href="/setup/branding-and-config">
    Customize your portal's name, contact details, and display settings.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>