# Getting started

Source: https://meptools.com/docs/getting-started/

## What is MEP Tools

MEP Tools is a set of MEP calculators and layout tools for practising engineers, available in
English and Arabic. Everything runs in the browser — no install, no plugin.

## 1. Try a tool without an account

You do not need an account to try a free tool. Open the [tools catalog](/tools), filter by
**Free** access, and use any tool there directly.

As a guest you can browse the catalog, tool About pages, [pricing](/pricing), and this help
centre. Your work is kept **on this device** as you go — the chip in the tool header says so —
and it is still there when you come back in the same browser. You **cannot** save a project to
an account, open a saved project (you'll be redirected to sign in), or open a Pro tool. Guests
also see ads, and image exports carry a DRAFT watermark.

Once you have a result worth keeping, the home page and the tool's **Getting started** panel
offer **Create free account to save**.

## 2. Create an account

Sign in with **email and password**, or with **Google**. Signed-out visitors may also see
Google's one-tap sign-in prompt.

Password rules: **8–4096 characters, with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter,
one number, and one special character.** Registration also asks for a display name (2–64
characters). Disposable email addresses are not accepted.

Signing in claims the work you did as a guest in this browser for your new account — it is not
uploaded yet, but it is now yours.

## 3. Verify your email

A verification email is sent automatically when you register. If it doesn't arrive, resend it
from the banner at the top of the app, from the **Getting started** card on your dashboard, or
from the account page.

This is the step that trips up most new users: **saving a project, starting checkout, starting
a trial, and changing your plan all require a verified email.** You can sign in, browse, and use
tools before verifying — but your work stays on the device until you confirm your address.

The moment you verify, work you did as a guest is moved into your account as saved projects,
newest first, as far as your plan's project slots allow. See
[What happens when you verify](/docs/save-status#what-happens-when-you-verify).

## 4. Find your way around

- **[Dashboard](/dashboard)** — your signed-in home: getting-started steps, the project to
  resume, recent projects, unsaved work, quick-launch tools, usage, and activity. See
  [Your dashboard](/docs/dashboard).
- **[Tools](/tools)** — the catalog. See [Finding a tool](/docs/tools-catalog).
- **[Projects](/projects)** — everything saved to your account. See
  [Projects & saving](/docs/projects).
- **Account menu** (your avatar) — Account, My projects, Billing, Sign out.
- **Bell** — notifications. **Gear** — appearance, language, and reduce-motion settings.

## 5. Save your first project

Open a tool, make your changes, and choose **File → Save**. The **Free** plan includes
**3 projects**. Autosave is on by default, so once a project exists, later edits are saved for
you about ten seconds after you stop typing.

Watch the chip in the tool header: **Cloud saved** means the work is in your account;
**On this device** means it isn't yet. See [Save status & unsaved work](/docs/save-status).

## Choosing a plan

**Free** covers the free calculators, 3 saved projects, and browser-side exports (with a DRAFT
watermark on images). **Pro** removes the watermark, unlocks the Pro-only tools, raises the
project limit to 15, removes ads, and adds PDF, XLSX, DXF and IFC export. A **7-day trial** is
available on the paid plan you select — a payment card is required up front. See
[Plans & payments](/docs/plans-payments) for the full comparison.

## Where to go next

- [Your dashboard](/docs/dashboard) — what each card on the dashboard shows
- [Finding a tool](/docs/tools-catalog) — browse and filter the tool catalog
- [Projects & saving](/docs/projects) — the project library and limits
- [Save status & unsaved work](/docs/save-status) — the chip, autosave, and on-device work
- [Exporting & watermarks](/docs/exporting) — export formats and the watermark
- [Plans & payments](/docs/plans-payments) — Free vs Pro, the trial, and billing
- [Frequently asked questions](/docs/faq) — quick answers to common questions

## A note on results

MEP Tools produces engineering aids, not permit-ready output. Every tool shows its formulas and
assumptions so you can check them — verifying the result stays the engineer's responsibility.
See the [Engineering disclaimer](/engineering-disclaimer).