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

# Get Started with Lumber AI

> Set up LumberFlow and send your first AI-powered RFQ in 15 minutes

<Card title="Not a LumberFlow user yet?" icon="rocket" href="https://lumberflow.com/sign-up">
  **Start your free trial** — no credit card required. Get your AI procurement agent running in minutes.
</Card>

Follow these steps to set up LumberFlow and create your first procurement plan.

## Step 1: Complete Organization Profile

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Settings">
    Go to **Settings** → **General** in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill Company Information">
    * Company name and address
    * Primary contact details
    * Business registration information
    * Logo upload (optional)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Settings">
    Click **Save Changes** to update your profile
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Your organization profile information is used in AI-generated RFQ emails and purchase orders. A complete profile helps the AI produce professional, accurate communications.
</Note>

## Step 2: Connect Your Gmail Inbox

Connect Gmail so the AI agent can monitor supplier replies automatically — no manual forwarding required.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Integrations">
    Click **Settings** → **Integrations** in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Gmail">
    Click **Connect Gmail** and complete the Google OAuth flow
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Connection">
    The system uses Gmail push webhooks for instant delivery — quotes appear the moment a supplier replies
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Gmail integration enables real-time quote processing. Without it, LumberFlow falls back to polling every 15 minutes. Connect it first for the best experience.
</Tip>

## Step 3: Add Your First Supplier

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Supplier Management">
    Click **My Suppliers** in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Supplier Details">
    * Company name and shipping location
    * Multiple contact persons with email addresses
    * Special notes or preferences
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Supplier">
    Your supplier is now ready for RFQ communications
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Have a large supplier contact list? Use **Bulk Import** to upload a CSV, XLSX, or VCF file. The system auto-detects email domains and matches contacts to existing suppliers.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Email addresses must be accurate and current. The AI monitors these addresses for incoming quote replies — wrong emails mean missed quotes.
</Warning>

## Step 4: Create Your First Procurement Plan

<Warning>
  Make sure you have at least one supplier added before creating a procurement plan.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start New Buy">
    Navigate to **Start New Buy** for the planning interface
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Plan Details">
    * Plan name: "My First Buy"
    * Description: Brief context for your sourcing event
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Line Items">
    Use the spreadsheet interface to add:

    * **Dimension** (2x4, 2x6, 2x8, etc.)
    * **Species** (SPF, Douglas Fir, SYP, etc.)
    * **Grade** (Construction, Stud, Select Structural, etc.)
    * **Target Price** per MBF
    * **Quantities by length** (8ft, 10ft, 12ft, etc.)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review & Create">
    Preview how items are grouped into sourcing requests, then confirm
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Items with identical dimension-species-grade combinations are automatically grouped into single sourcing requests for efficient management. Each resulting Kanban card tracks one SKU through your entire pipeline.
</Tip>

## Step 5: Send Your First RFQ

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Kanban Board">
    Go to **My Sourcing** to see your sourcing requests as Kanban cards
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Cards in TO SOURCE">
    Click a card or use **Bulk Select** to pick multiple cards
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send RFQ">
    Click **Get Quotes**, select your suppliers, review the AI-generated email drafts, and send
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor Progress">
    Cards move to **QUOTING** status automatically. When suppliers reply, quotes appear in your board in real time.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  **Congratulations!** You've sent your first AI-generated RFQ using LumberFlow. Supplier responses will be automatically processed and appear in your Kanban board — ready for your review and validation.
</Check>

## What Happens Next

When a supplier replies, the AI agent:

1. Detects the email in your connected Gmail inbox (via push webhook — instant delivery)
2. Extracts pricing, specifications, terms, and quantities from the email body or attached PDF/spreadsheet
3. Surfaces a validation screen so you can review and correct the AI extraction
4. Stores the approved quote and moves your card to **QUOTING**

You can then compare quotes side-by-side, send counter-offers with AI-drafted negotiation emails, and create a purchase order when you're ready to commit.

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Dashboard Overview" href="/user-guide/dashboard-overview" icon="chart-bar">
    Learn to navigate the Kanban board and your live procurement KPIs
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Features" href="/user-guide/ai-features" icon="brain">
    Understand how the AI processes supplier responses and generates intelligence
  </Card>

  <Card title="Supplier Management" href="/user-guide/supplier-management" icon="users">
    Build and manage your supplier network with bulk import
  </Card>

  <Card title="Best Practices" href="/user-guide/best-practices" icon="lightbulb">
    Optimize your AI-powered procurement workflows
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Card title="See LumberFlow in action" icon="play" href="https://lumberflow.com/solutions/lumber-ai">
  Learn how the full AI procurement workflow works — from email to purchase order.
</Card>