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

# Get started

> Choose Cloud, Docker, or desktop and create your first presentation.

Pick one path. If you only want to try Presenton, Cloud is the shortest route. Choose Docker or desktop when you want to operate the open-source application and configure providers yourself.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Cloud">
    **Before you start:** Prepare a short topic or a focused source document.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open Presenton Cloud">
        Sign in to the [Presenton dashboard](https://presenton.ai/dashboard).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Describe the result">
        State the audience, purpose, desired slide count, and must-include points. Add source material when it should ground the deck.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Review the outline">
        Correct the structure and remove repetition before generating slides.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Generate and verify">
        Select a suitable template, generate the deck, then review every slide for accuracy and visual fit.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Export">
        Download the result as PPTX for continued editing or PDF for fixed-layout review.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Card title="Cloud quickstart" icon="cloud" href="/cloud/quickstart">
      Follow the complete browser workflow.
    </Card>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Docker">
    **Before you start:** Confirm the [system requirements](/hosting/system-requirements) and decide which providers you will use.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Start a release-pinned container">
        Follow the self-hosted quickstart and mount `/app_data` for persistent application data.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure providers">
        Add a supported text provider. Configure image, search, storage, and authentication options as required.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Presenton">
        Visit the host and port mapped to the container, then create and verify a small test deck.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Card title="Self Host Presenton in Five Minutes" icon="docker" href="/hosting/overview">
      Install the documented release with persistent storage.
    </Card>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Desktop">
    **Before you start:** Choose a supported package for Windows, macOS, or Linux and have provider credentials ready if you will use a hosted model.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install the application">
        Download the correct package, install it, and open Presenton.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Choose a provider">
        Configure a supported hosted provider or a local model available to your machine.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create a test deck">
        Use a short prompt first. Confirm generation and export work before adding large documents or custom templates.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Card title="Desktop installation" icon="desktop" href="/self-hosted/tutorials/install-desktop-app">
      Download and verify the desktop application.
    </Card>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## A useful first brief

```text theme={null}
Create an 8-slide project update for executive stakeholders.
Focus on progress, risks, decisions needed, and next steps.
Use a concise, factual tone. Preserve all dates and figures from the source.
```

<Tip>
  A good brief names the audience, outcome, scope, tone, and facts that must not change.
</Tip>