---
title: "Quickstart"
url: https://developers.dagio.ai/quickstart/
---

# Quickstart

   
                   
                                                                                 
                  
              
         
   

## Create your account

Open the [Surface account portal](https://account.dagio.ai/register), enter your name, email address
and a password of at least 12 characters, then confirm your address using the emailed link.
Sign in to check that your space is ready. Your account starts on Free without a payment card.
The tenant connection key stays inside Surface services; you do not need to copy or configure a key.

## 1. Create your workspace

Sign in to Surface and choose the account you want to open, even if only one account is listed. Then create a Workspace from a Model. Choose a client management app or describe the need to AI: “I want to track clients, their contact details and the next sales actions.” Review the proposed structure before using it.

When your interface offers **Describe a need with AI**, choose whether to find an app, adapt an authorized Model or create one. Describe your goal and expected outcome. This request opens the conversation without selecting a version or creating a Workspace. Check the choices and consequences in the native review before confirming creation or launch.

Compare the exact versions, inputs, deliverables and access conditions of the available choices. A declaration inspection or preview is not a running Flow; after changing the proposal, review a fresh preview before confirming.

Name the Workspace **Clients** and place it in your business Portfolio. A Portfolio brings Workspaces and their shared context together. Inside Clients, a Data Space holds records, a Knowledge Space holds procedures, and a Work Space holds follow-ups requiring several steps.

## 2. Add your first client

Choose **New client**. The creation form requests the information needed to make a valid record. Context notes and supplementary information remain accessible in the record after creation.

| Information | Example value                           | Purpose                         |
| ----------- | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Company     | North Studio                            | Record title and search result  |
| Email       | contact@example.com                     | Contact information             |
| Status      | Active                                  | Filter and visual indicator     |
| Notes       | Needs a proposal for annual maintenance | Editable context in the Surface |

Open the new record. Edit notes directly below their heading. Use **Settings** for Fields that configure the record rather than belong in its main content.

## 3. Organize the collection

In the table view, display Company, Email, Status and Last updated. Add **Status = Active** and sort by company name. The Query defines the requested collection; columns determine which information the table presents.

```text
Clients
  Data → Active clients → North Studio
  Knowledge → Qualification procedure
  Work → Prepare North Studio follow-up
```

## 4. Connect quotes

Add a **Quotes** Workspace. In its integration configuration, link clientId to the Client record identifier. A quote can now select North Studio through search, and the North Studio record presents associated quotes in its side panel.

Continue with [Fields](https://developers.dagio.ai/fields/) to adapt the record, [integrations](https://developers.dagio.ai/workspace-links/) for links, and [Flows](https://developers.dagio.ai/flows/) to prepare an AI-assisted proposal.

<!-- surface-examples:start -->

## Applied examples : Create the first client

Connect the creation Form to its Action, then open the North Studio record after confirmation.

### Configuration

Fragment placed in `forms[]`. [Properties and accepted values](https://developers.dagio.ai/reference/workspace-model-foundation/).

```json
{
  "contract": "WorkspaceForm@2",
  "key": "new-client",
  "label": "New client",
  "actionKey": "create-client",
  "targetDefinitionPath": "workspace/clients/surface/client",
  "mode": "create",
  "fields": [
    {
      "contract": "WorkspaceFormControl@2",
      "repeatable": false,
      "key": "company",
      "label": "Company",
      "input": "text",
      "binding": {
        "kind": "field",
        "fieldKey": "company"
      },
      "required": true,
      "ruleKeys": [],
      "options": []
    },
    {
      "contract": "WorkspaceFormControl@2",
      "repeatable": false,
      "key": "status",
      "label": "Status",
      "input": "choice",
      "binding": {
        "kind": "field",
        "fieldKey": "status"
      },
      "required": true,
      "ruleKeys": [],
      "options": [
        "prospect",
        "active"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "ruleKeys": []
}
```

### Variation and connection

Fragment placed in `actions[]`. [Properties and accepted values](https://developers.dagio.ai/reference/workspace-model-foundation/).

```json
{
  "key": "create-client",
  "label": "Create client",
  "targetDefinitionPaths": [],
  "kind": "semantic-command",
  "operationKey": "create-client",
  "formKey": "new-client",
  "ruleKeys": [],
  "contextPolicyKey": null,
  "minimumRole": "member",
  "confirmation": true
}
```

### UI layout example

The illustrative layout below places this configuration in the Clients/Quotes app. Insert each fragment at the stated location, with Field, Query and Action references matching the Model declarations.

1. Company *
2. Status *
3. Notes
4. Create client

<!-- surface-examples:end -->