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

# Getting Started

> Everything you need to get up and running with Contextual AI

[Contextual AI](https://contextual.ai/) is the context layer for technical industries. We help R\&D teams and domain experts tackle complex knowledge work—device log analysis, root cause investigation, technical support, production planning—by giving AI access to the documentation, specifications, and institutional knowledge they rely on every day.

<Note>We never train on your data, and any agents you build on the platform remain entirely your intellectual property.</Note>

***

## How It Works

Getting started takes just three steps:

1. **Build an agent** — Start with Basic Search or Agentic Search templates (self-serve), or use Agent Composer's visual builder to create custom workflows (enterprise).
2. **Connect your documents** — Connect via connectors, or upload PDFs, specs, manuals, logs. Our parsing handles tables, figures, and complex layouts.
3. **Query and iterate** — Ask questions, get grounded answers with citations, and refine your agent as needed.

You can have your first agent running in minutes—no code required.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/contextualai/bTDVK0KTCee_aJsW/images/contextualai-unified-context-layer.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=bTDVK0KTCee_aJsW&q=85&s=143a2ad65d5d29a6e88684d3bdf3a7e4" alt="The Contextual AI platform: from data sources through ingestion, retrieval, and generation to outputs" width="1669" height="783" data-path="images/contextualai-unified-context-layer.png" />

***

## Sign Up and Log In

<Note>
  [**Sign up here**](https://app.contextual.ai/?signup=1) if you don't have a Contextual AI account yet. You'll get \$25 in free credits to trial the platform, or \$50 in free credits if you sign up with a work email address.
</Note>

Once you've signed up, [log in to the platform](https://app.contextual.ai) to create your first datastore and agent.

***

## What's Available

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Self-Serve">
    All self-serve accounts include:

    * **Basic Search** template — Single-turn Q\&A with document retrieval and citations
    * **Agentic Search** template — Multi-step reasoning with iterative retrieval
    * Document upload, datastore management, and connectors
    * API access via Python SDK
    * Usage-based pricing with free credits to start
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Enterprise">
    Enterprise plans add:

    * Advanced agent templates (Root Cause Analysis, Deep Research, Task Execution, Structured Extraction)
    * Prompt-based workflow builder and editor
    * Visual workflow builder with full customization
    * Enterprise connectors and features like RBAC
    * Dedicated support and SLAs

    [Contact us](https://contextual.ai/contact) to learn more.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Platform Quickstart (GUI)" icon="browser" href="/quickstarts/platform-gui">
    Create your first agent and datastore in the platform
  </Card>

  <Card title="Platform Quickstart (API)" icon="code" href="/quickstarts/platform-api">
    Create agents programmatically via the Python SDK
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Learn More

* [Why Contextual AI](/quickstarts/why-contextual-ai) — What makes Contextual AI different and when to use it
* [Agent Composer](/quickstarts/agent-composer) — Build custom agent workflows (enterprise) or use templates (self-serve)
* [Datasources & Connectors](/connectors/overview) — Connect your enterprise data sources
* [How-to Guides](/how-to-guides/platform) — Deep dives on specific capabilities