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

# Quickstart

> Create an Eternum vault and prepare recovery in the right order.

Use this guide to set up a vault that can be recovered later by your beneficiaries.

## Prerequisites

* An Eternum account
* A PIN or password you can remember
* At least two trusted contacts you can reach outside Eternum
* At least one beneficiary email address

## Set up your vault

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create an account">
    Sign up and choose a PIN or password. Eternum uses this credential only in your browser to derive your vault key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete onboarding">
    The onboarding flow creates recovery shares and shows a bootstrap key for trusted contacts. Save the bootstrap key before closing the tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add vault items">
    Add passwords, documents, notes, crypto wallet instructions, or other records. Files and text are encrypted before upload.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add trusted contacts">
    Trusted contacts help verify your status and release recovery shares after death verification.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign recovery shares">
    Go to Security and assign trusted-contact shares. A trusted contact must activate their share before it can be released later.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add beneficiaries">
    Beneficiaries receive claim access after death verification completes. Allocation percentages are informational and must total 100% or less.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check in periodically">
    Regular check-ins keep your account active and prevent the verification pipeline from escalating.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The free Seed plan is intended to let you test the full recovery flow with limited item, contact, and beneficiary counts.
</Note>

## What to read next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Vault items" icon="vault" href="/eternum/guides/vault">
    Learn what is encrypted and how files are stored.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Recovery overview" icon="key" href="/eternum/recovery/overview">
    Understand the full recovery path before you rely on it.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>