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

# Getting started

> Add channels and begin reviewing their activity.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign in">
    Open [Monitor YT](https://monitoryt.com/app/login) and sign in with Google. No
    credit card is required for the Free plan.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a channel">
    Open [Channels](https://monitoryt.com/app/channels), then add a public YouTube
    channel using an `@handle`, YouTube URL, or `UC…` channel ID.

    A newly monitored channel can take about 10 minutes to complete its first
    discovery pass. If Monitor YT already watches it for another user, existing
    history may be available immediately within your plan's history window.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the feed">
    The feed combines events from every channel you track. Filter it by channel or
    event type, and use **Refresh feed** when you want to fetch the newest recorded
    events from Monitor YT.

    Refreshing the feed does not force YouTube to be checked. Collection runs in the
    background on its own schedule.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open a video">
    Select a video event to review its current details, performance summary,
    historical samples, and detected title or thumbnail changes. Use **Refresh
    video** on that page when you need a new public stats observation immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Start with a small group of channels that publish in the same category as you.
  A focused feed is easier to turn into useful decisions.
</Tip>

## Next steps

* Learn [what Monitor YT collects and excludes](/detection-and-freshness).
* Understand every [event type](/event-types).
* Compare the [Free and Pro plans](/plans).