# The app and texting

> Use 1Helm in the browser on a computer, tablet or phone, install it like an app, or text your helper like a friend.

Section: Getting started

## Signing in

There are no passwords. Enter your email and you get one email from 1Helm with a **6-digit code** and a sign-in link. Type the code on the sign-in screen to sign in right there (handy in the installed app or on another device), or tap the link. Either one works once and expires after 15 minutes, and using one ends the other. After 5 wrong tries, or once it expires, tap **Send a new code**.

## In the app

1Helm is a web app at your own 1Helm address. It works in any modern browser. On a computer you get a side rail with your channels; on a phone or a touch tablet the layout changes to fit the smaller screen.

- **On a computer:** channels are down the side rail, with Apps (the grid icon) and your initials (Settings) at the bottom. Each channel's side panel has New, Home, Library, Notebook, Contacts, Search, your tasks, and Scheduled at the bottom.
- **On a phone or tablet:** your task list comes first. Open the menu and tap the channel name at the top to switch channels or start a new one. Under it, Home, Library, Notebook, Contacts and Scheduled are a row of tiles, then your tasks. The button at the bottom left opens your account, plan and usage, Apps, Appearance, Help & support and Report an issue. In a task, header buttons that don't fit fold into a ⋯ menu.

Your tasks are grouped by what they need: **Waiting on you**, **Working**, **Ready for you**, **Watching**, then **Done**, with **Pinned** and **Texts** on top. Empty groups hide, and tasks move between groups as they change.

## Keyboard shortcuts

| Keys | Does |
|---|---|
| `⌘``⇧``O` | New task |
| `⌘``K` | Search |
| `⌘``⇧``H` | Channel Home |
| `⌘``⇧``L` | Library |
| `⌘``⇧``A` | Apps |
| `⌘``1`–`9` | Jump to a channel |
| `⌘``,` | Settings |
| `⌘``/` | All shortcuts |
| `Esc` | Close |

On Windows, use Ctrl instead of ⌘.

These are defaults. Open **Settings → Help & support → Keyboard shortcuts** (or ⌘/) to change, swap, turn off or reset a shortcut. Your choices are saved to your account. Browser and system shortcuts can take priority; the editor warns you about conflicts. ⌘N remains an extra New task shortcut only where the installed app can receive it, not in an ordinary browser tab.

## Install the app

You can install 1Helm from the browser: it opens in its own window, like an app, with the 1Helm sailboat icon. It's the same app as in the browser and needs an internet connection.

- **The quick way:Install 1Helm app** in **Settings → General** (or the account menu) opens your browser's install prompt. On iPhone, iPad and Safari on a Mac it shows the steps instead. It hides once 1Helm is installed.
- **iPhone or iPad:** open 1Helm in Safari, tap Share, then **Add to Home Screen**.
- **Android:** open 1Helm in Chrome, tap ⋮, then **Add to Home screen** (or **Install app**).
- **A computer:** in Chrome or Edge, use the install icon at the right of the address bar.

The installed app asks once for location, the microphone and notifications, because its permissions are separate from the browser's. Once it's installed you can turn on [notifications](https://1helm.com/docs/notifications/) for that device. On an iPhone or iPad, notifications only work from the home-screen app. If the installed app asks you to sign in, use the 6-digit code.

## By text

Turn on texting in **Settings → Texting → Set up**. It works with US phone numbers and takes a few minutes:

1. Enter your cell number.
2. Create a free texting account with our texting partner when we ask. No card needed.
3. Text the 6‑digit code we show you to the number on the page.

Your helper then texts you hello with its contact card. Save it, and from then on you can text it whenever you like. Only your number can text it, and it only ever texts you. Ask it "what's your number?" any time.

> **One conversation.** Your texts all land in General, in one task called "Text with" your helper's name, listed under **Texts**. Your helper answers by text. On an iPhone that's iMessage, with tappable cards and tapbacks. Android phones get plain text messages.

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Web page: https://1helm.com/docs/reaching/