---
title: "First steps: schedule, students and plan in 30 minutes - Help Center - MatGoat"
description: "Work through the Get started with your academy card in MatGoat: create the first schedule, share the signup link and publish your first plan."
image: "https://matgoat.com/og-image-en.png"
url: "https://matgoat.com/en/support/first-steps-setup-checklist/"
---

[Getting started](https://matgoat.com/en/support/getting-started/)

# First steps: schedule, students and plan in 30 minutes

Work through the Get started with your academy card in MatGoat: create the first schedule, share the signup link and publish your first plan.

Where: Welcome

Updated on October 18, 2026

[Open in MatGoat](https://app.matgoat.com/)

When you sign in as the administrator of a new academy, the **Get started with your academy** card appears. It organises setup into three steps: create a schedule, bring in students and prepare a plan. Allow around thirty minutes for an initial setup; the time depends on the information you have ready.

## Create your first schedule

Select **Create schedule**. The button opens class types: first create an activity, such as BJJ Fundamentals, then create a schedule for it.

![Academy weekly schedule with classes and times](https://matgoat.com/_astro/schedule-board.MeXXVV_A_1FBGzd.webp)

1.  Set the class type’s name and colour
2.  Open the weekly schedule form
3.  Choose the type, weekdays, start time and end time
4.  Save the schedule and check upcoming classes in the calendar

The checklist completes this step once a schedule exists. Creating only a class type does not complete it. MatGoat generates future classes within a rolling thirty-day window, which extends automatically; you do not need to create each date manually.

## Bring in your students

The second step displays your academy’s registration link. Select **Copy** and share it through the channel you already use with students. Each person completes their own registration.

![Student registration and invitation form](https://matgoat.com/_astro/add-student-page.BylEEkYk_ZnOgCj.webp)

You can also add someone through **Teacher > Students**. The step completes when the first student joins, whether they use the link or you register them from the staff panel.

Note

If you have enabled pre-registration collection, the link opens that form. Check your registration settings before sharing it as the final way to join the academy.

## Prepare your first plan

Select **Create plan**. A manual plan lets you record payments received in cash, by bank transfer or through Bizum. To collect payments online, you first need to connect Stripe and create the corresponding plan.

Define the fee and access conditions before assigning it to students. The free gift plan does not complete this step: an ordinary plan must exist. If you will configure payments later, use **Skip**.

Only the plan step can be skipped. The card disappears when all three steps are complete or when you close it with the X; there is no button to restore it afterwards.

## Review the academy dashboard

Once a schedule exists, the staff home page offers **My academy** and the training view. The academy view brings together upcoming classes, shortcuts to students and payments, and **Needs attention** for outstanding items.

![Academy home with indicators and items needing attention](https://matgoat.com/_astro/home-academy.wJCSCsJi_ZtN0vk.webp)

Before inviting the whole group, check the time zone in settings and open a class as a teacher. This helps you catch an incorrect schedule before you start recording attendance.

## Related articles

[Create your academy and start the free trial Sign up for MatGoat in three steps, verify your email, pick your discipline, country and time zone, and start the 30-day free trial with no card.](https://matgoat.com/en/support/create-academy-free-trial/) [OwnersTeachers Create class types with colors and per-plan limits Create your academy's class types, pick the color students see on the calendar, and add each type to plans with activity limits as you create it.](https://matgoat.com/en/support/create-class-types/) [OwnersTeachers Create the weekly schedule and one-off classes Build the Schedules board, create a class on several weekdays at once, add one-off classes, and edit or archive a schedule without losing past attendance.](https://matgoat.com/en/support/create-weekly-class-schedule/)

## Still have questions?

Write to us and a real person will answer, in your language.

-   [Contact form We reply by email.](https://matgoat.com/en/contact/)
-   [Message us on WhatsApp +34 614 005 278](https://wa.me/34614005278)
-   [Send us an email hola@matgoat.com](mailto:hola@matgoat.com)

[Back to the help center](https://matgoat.com/en/support/)

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