> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.seegov.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.seegov.org/start-here/your-first-visit.md).

# Your first visit

Your first Backstage session can be simple: choose a government, open a meeting, and follow one topic that interests you.

## A quick path through Backstage

1. Select the **Backstage** link to open **Meetings**.
2. If needed, choose **Manage Your Governments** and add the places or bodies you cover.
3. Select a meeting row to open it, or use its open-in-new-tab icon to keep the results alongside the meeting. Content searches first expand the row to show matching moments.
4. Scan the agenda items, votes, and moment summaries.
5. Click a moment to play the matching part of the meeting and see its transcript.
6. Search the transcript or notes for a person, place, proposal, or phrase.

That may be all you need. You can verify a quote, download a transcript, and return to your reporting.

On desktop, **Meetings** is the current step in the workflow header. **Find**, **Refine**, **Compose**, **Finalize**, and **Distribute** become available as you open a meeting and work through it. Use the **Meetings** link in that header to return to your meeting search.

If you have a community recording that the government does not make available, switch to the **Upload Recording** tab on Meetings. The [Find a meeting guide](/find-news/find-a-meeting.md#upload-a-contributed-recording) explains the form.

If you find a moment worth sharing, select the **plus** icon beside it and continue to **Next: Refine Highlights**. Backstage guides you through **Find**, **Refine**, **Compose**, **Finalize**, and **Distribute** without forcing you to publish.

## The first time you create

At the end of your first creation, SeeGov briefly asks you to complete your creator profile. Add:

* a profile photo;
* a short description;
* your location; and
* your acknowledgment of the Terms and Creator Guidelines.

Website and social profile links are optional. When you choose **Complete Creator Profile**, SeeGov returns you to the meeting and your unfinished video. There is no second approval period.

Before generating, follow [Create without publishing or posting](/guidance/experiment-without-publishing.md) if you want a private first try.


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# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.seegov.org/start-here/your-first-visit.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.