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

# Your First 5 Minutes: Quick Start Guide

> Get up and running with Rallies.ai in 5 minutes. Learn the basics: ask your first AI question, create a watchlist, and connect your portfolio.

# Your First 5 Minutes: Quick Start Guide

Welcome to Rallies! This guide walks you through the essentials so you can start researching smarter right away. In about 5 minutes, you'll ask your first AI question, create a watchlist, and see how portfolio tracking works.

## Step 1: Ask Your First Question (1 minute)

The AI Research Assistant is the heart of Rallies. Let's try it.

1. **Click "Chat"** in the left sidebar (or tap the chat icon on mobile)

2. **Type a question** about any stock, market, or investing topic. Try one of these:
   * "What should I know about Apple?"
   * "Explain what P/E ratio means"
   * "What are the risks of investing in Tesla?"

3. **Press Enter** and watch the AI research for you

4. **Ask a follow-up** - The AI remembers context, so you can ask things like "How does that compare to Microsoft?" without repeating yourself.

> 💡 **Tip:** Be specific for better answers. "What are Nvidia's profit margins over the last 3 years?" beats "Tell me about Nvidia."

[See more example questions →](/ai-assistant/what-to-ask)

## Step 2: Create a Watchlist (1 minute)

Track stocks you're interested in without buying them yet.

1. **Click "Watchlists"** in the left sidebar

2. **Click "+ New Watchlist"**

3. **Name it** something meaningful (e.g., "Tech Stocks to Research" or "Dividend Ideas")

4. **Add stocks** by typing a ticker symbol or company name in the search box

5. **View your watchlist** anytime to see price changes, news, and more

You can create multiple watchlists to organize different themes, strategies, or ideas.

[Learn more about watchlists →](/watchlists/create-watchlist)

## Step 3: Explore a Stock Page (1 minute)

Get detailed information on any company.

1. **Search for a stock** using the search bar at the top (try "AAPL" or "Apple")

2. **Click the result** to open the stock page

3. **Browse the sections:**
   * **Overview** - Key stats, price, and company description
   * **Financials** - Revenue, earnings, margins, and more
   * **Analysis** - Analyst ratings and price targets
   * **News** - Recent headlines and SEC filings
   * **Ownership** - Insider trades and institutional holdings

4. **Ask the AI** about this stock by clicking the chat icon - context is pre-loaded so you can ask things like "What are the main risks?" directly.

## Step 4: Connect Your Portfolio (2 minutes, optional)

See your real investments analyzed by AI.

1. **Click "Portfolio"** in the left sidebar

2. **Choose how to add holdings:**
   * **Connect a brokerage** - Automatically sync your positions using our secure connection
   * **Add manually** - Enter ticker symbols and number of shares yourself

3. **If connecting a brokerage:**
   * Click "Connect Account"
   * Search for your broker (Fidelity, Schwab, Robinhood, etc.)
   * Log in through the secure connection window
   * Select which accounts to link

4. **Once connected,** you'll see:
   * Your total portfolio value
   * Today's gain/loss
   * Individual position performance
   * Allocation breakdown

5. **Ask the AI about your portfolio** - Try "What are my biggest risks?" or "Am I too concentrated in any sector?"

> 🔒 **Your data is secure.** We use a bank-level secure connection trusted by thousands of financial apps. We can see your holdings but never your login credentials or ability to make trades. [Learn more about security →](/portfolio/security)

[Full portfolio setup guide →](/portfolio/setup)

## What's Next?

Now that you know the basics, here are some features to explore:

### Set Up Price Alerts

Get notified when stocks hit prices you care about.
[Create your first alert →](/watchlists/price-alerts)

### Try the Vibe Screener

Find stocks by describing what you want in plain English—like "undervalued tech stocks with strong cash flow."
[Explore the screener →](/research/screener)

### Check Out AI Arena

Watch AI models compete in a stock-picking competition with simulated money.
[Visit AI Arena →](/ai-arena/overview)

### Download the Mobile App

Get push notifications and research on the go.
[Get the app →](/mobile/download)

### Go Pro

Remove AI query limits and unlock Deep Research Mode, real-time data, and more.
[Compare plans →](/billing/free-vs-premium)

## Quick Reference: Navigation

| Section        | What It's For                                 |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| **Chat**       | Ask the AI Research Assistant anything        |
| **Watchlists** | Track stocks you're interested in             |
| **Portfolio**  | View and analyze your holdings                |
| **Screener**   | Find stocks matching your criteria            |
| **Arena**      | Watch AI models compete                       |
| **Settings**   | Manage your account, billing, and preferences |

## Getting Help

* **Search the Help Center** - Find answers to common questions
* **Ask the AI** - Try asking "How do I \[do something] in Rallies?"
* **Contact Support** - [Reach our team →](/support/contact)

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is there a limit to how many questions I can ask?

Free accounts have a weekly limit on AI queries. Rallies Pro offers unlimited questions. [Compare plans →](/billing/free-vs-premium)

### Do I have to connect my brokerage?

No, it's completely optional. You can use Rallies for research without ever connecting an account. Connecting just enables personalized portfolio insights.

### Can Rallies see my brokerage password?

No. When you connect, your credentials go directly to your brokerage through our secure connection service. Rallies only receives read-only access to your positions—we can never see your password or make trades on your behalf.

***

## Related Articles

* [What is Rallies.ai?](/getting-started/what-is-rallies)
* [What Can I Ask the AI?](/ai-assistant/what-to-ask)
* [Creating Your First Watchlist](/watchlists/create-watchlist)
* [Setting Up Your Portfolio](/portfolio/setup)