> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://p-bitm-2269ecee.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick start

> Start P-BitM, verify the deployment, and prepare your first authorized campaign.

These steps assume [installation](/getting-started/installation) and setup are
complete.

<Warning>
  Use P-BitM only on systems you own or where you have explicit written
  authorization. [Review the authorized-use policy](/security/authorized-use).
</Warning>

<Steps titleSize="h2">
  <Step title="Start the stack" icon="play">
    ```bash theme={"system"}
    python3 p-bitm.py up
    ```

    Missing images are built automatically. Force a rebuild after source or
    dependency changes:

    ```bash theme={"system"}
    python3 p-bitm.py up --build
    ```

    Open the configured dashboard URL, which defaults to:

    ```text theme={"system"}
    https://127.0.0.1:8443/
    ```

    On the first successful start, the CLI displays the initial administrator
    credentials after confirming that the account was persisted. Change the
    password after signing in.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/p-bitm-2269ecee/9BS4YJCQtZV5PBjE/assets/screenshots/getting-started/login.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9BS4YJCQtZV5PBjE&q=85&s=b72126282f8e658811206325fed2a1f3" alt="P-BitM administrator sign-in screen" width="2880" height="1800" data-path="assets/screenshots/getting-started/login.png" />
    </Frame>

    A fresh deployment opens on the campaigns list with no campaigns yet.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/p-bitm-2269ecee/9BS4YJCQtZV5PBjE/assets/screenshots/getting-started/dashboard-empty.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9BS4YJCQtZV5PBjE&q=85&s=94761bf90cb88804d78ecda46e9182be" alt="P-BitM dashboard showing an empty campaigns list" width="2880" height="1910" data-path="assets/screenshots/getting-started/dashboard-empty.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the deployment" icon="badge-check">
    ```bash theme={"system"}
    python3 p-bitm.py status
    python3 p-bitm.py doctor
    ```

    Do not prepare a campaign until the required control-plane services are
    healthy and `doctor` reports no failures.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Prepare campaign resources" icon="list-checks">
    Create and review the reusable resources in this order:

    1. target list;
    2. landing page;
    3. for a Complete campaign, an email template and SMTP profile;
    4. optional plugins and modules;
    5. campaign.

    Choose Complete for a scheduled email-delivery window. Choose Standalone for
    an immediate, non-scheduled campaign without email or SMTP delivery resources.

    Use only approved test recipients and infrastructure. The
    [campaign guide](/user-guide/campaigns) explains the wizard and lifecycle.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Stop the complete runtime" icon="square">
    ```bash theme={"system"}
    python3 p-bitm.py down
    ```

    <Warning>
      This is a terminal shutdown: active, paused, and scheduled campaigns are marked
      completed, and all app-owned campaign, browser, and egress containers are
      removed. Running `up` later starts only the control plane; it does not resume
      those campaigns.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>