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

# Quickstart

> Go from a new Terminus Hub account to your first short URL: start from a template, publish a revision, make a submission, and approve it into a record.

This is the fastest path to value. You will start a governance model from a ready-made template, publish it, fill in a submission, and approve it into a record that carries a short URL. It takes about ten minutes, and most of the setup is done for you by the template.

<Tip>
  Prefer to build a model field by field, with picklists and computed fields explained as you go? Follow the [Campaign URL Builder tutorial](/tutorial) instead. This quickstart takes the shortcut.
</Tip>

## Prerequisites

You need a Terminus Hub account. If you do not have one yet, sign up first (it takes a minute). See [authentication](/authentication) for the sign-up and email-confirmation flow. Signing up also creates your first workspace, named **Main**, so you will not need to create one here.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a governance model from a template">
    A **governance model** holds the fields, picklists, and taxonomies that describe your campaign data.

    From the dashboard, open **Build your governance model**, then browse the [template gallery](/guides/templates-playground). Use the **Business** and **Structure** filters to narrow the list, preview a card to see its fields and example values, and pick one. **Simple UTM Starter** is a good first choice.

    Click **Create Governance Model**. Terminus imports the template as a brand-new model in your account and drops you into it. Everything in it is now yours to edit.

    <Note>
      You can also start from scratch (**Start from scratch**) or paste an exported model (**Import from JSON**). Creating a model requires an account admin role.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish a revision">
    A **revision** is an immutable snapshot of the model. Submission forms always run against a published revision, so this step is what makes the model usable.

    Open the model's **Revisions** page and click **Publish**. Terminus validates the model first; if it reports any issues, fix them and publish again. Add optional release notes to describe what is in this version.

    See [publishing a revision](/guides/publish-revision) for what validation checks and how later edits stage the next revision.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect a taxonomy to your workspace">
    A **taxonomy** is the form people fill in. The template comes with at least one.

    Open your **Main** workspace settings, find the **Taxonomies** section, click **Add taxonomy**, and choose the template's taxonomy. The workspace can now collect submissions against it.

    <Note>
      The **Add taxonomy** option needs a published revision. If it is unavailable, return to the model and publish first.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make a submission">
    In your workspace, start a **New submission** and pick the taxonomy. The form is generated from the published revision, so every field you configured appears as an input.

    Fill in the fields, including a destination URL. Computed fields (a tagged URL, a short URL slug, a QR code) fill themselves in as you type. When the rows are valid, save the submission.

    For the three fill modes (quick, form, and grid for many rows at once) see [fill modes](/concepts/form-vs-grid-mode).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve it into a record, with a short URL">
    Approving a submission turns its rows into **records**: validated, read-only campaign data.

    Approve the submission. If the taxonomy requires review, submit it for review first, then approve. On approval Terminus creates the record and activates its short URL (for example `ter.link/aB3xZ`) and QR code.

    Open the workspace's **Records** page to see your approved record. From here clicks and scans start flowing into [analytics](/guides/analytics).
  </Step>
</Steps>

You have run the whole Terminus Hub flow: model, revision, submission, approval, short URL. Everything you imported is a normal, editable governance model, so the next step is to make it yours.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Campaign URL Builder tutorial" icon="graduation-cap" href="/tutorial">
    Build a governance model from scratch, with picklists, cascading dropdowns, and computed fields.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Start from a template" icon="grid-2" href="/guides/templates-playground">
    Browse, preview, and import the ready-made governance models.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Publish a revision" icon="git-commit-horizontal" href="/guides/publish-revision">
    Understand validation and how revisions snapshot your model.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key-round" href="/authentication">
    Sign in, confirm your email, and create an API key.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>