> 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. Open **Backstage → Meetings**.
2. If needed, choose **Manage Your Governments** and add the places or bodies you cover.
3. Open a meeting from **Find Meetings**. The meeting opens in a new tab so your results remain available.
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.

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 dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

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

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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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.