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

# Quickstart

> Get Sift set up and start planning in under 5 minutes

## First Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Your Calendar">
    Sift needs to see your schedule to help you plan. Go to **Settings > Integrations** and connect Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook.

    Sift syncs bi-directionally—it can read your events and create new ones on your calendar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Canvas (Students)">
    If you're a student, connect your Canvas LMS to automatically import assignments, exams, and due dates.

    Go to **Settings > Integrations > Canvas** and enter your institution's Canvas URL and API token.

    <Tip>
      Find your API token in Canvas: **Account > Settings > New Access Token**
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Your Availability (Frames)">
    Tell Sift when you're available to work. These are called "frames."

    Try saying:

    * "I'm free weekdays 9am to 5pm"
    * "Don't schedule anything on weekends"
    * "Block off 12-1pm for lunch every day"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Your First Task">
    Tell Sift what you need to do:

    * "Create a task to finish my essay by Friday"
    * "I have an exam next Thursday"
    * "Add a todo to buy groceries"
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Start Using Sift

Once you're set up, try these:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Plan your day" icon="calendar-day">
    "Plan my day" or "What should I work on today?"
  </Card>

  <Card title="Schedule your week" icon="calendar-week">
    "Schedule my week" — Sift creates timeblocks for all your tasks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Break down big tasks" icon="list-tree">
    "Help me plan my research paper" — Sift breaks it into phases with milestones
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set a reminder" icon="bell">
    "Remind me to submit my essay tomorrow at 11pm"
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Tips for Success

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Be specific about due dates and time estimates">
    "Create a task for my essay due Friday, should take about 3 hours" works better than "I have an essay to do"
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sync your calendar before scheduling">
    Make sure your calendar is connected so Sift knows what's already booked
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check your frames if scheduling seems off">
    If Sift is scheduling at weird times, your availability settings might need adjustment
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use 'what can you do?' to explore">
    Ask Sift what it can help with to discover all available features
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Free vs Premium

Sift's core features are available for free with limited AI usage. Premium unlocks unlimited AI, plus **automations** and **memory** (AI personalization).

See [Pricing & Plans](/faq#pricing--plans) for details.