New to Tera? This is a short, ordered path through the things most people need in their first few days. Work through it at your own pace — you don't have to do it all at once.
Note: What you see depends on your role and your region. If a step below doesn't apply to you, skip it. See Understanding user roles.
Day 1 — get in and look around
- Sign in. Choose your region, then sign in with your email and password (or Google). See Log in and set up your account.
- Install the mobile app. Most day-to-day tasks — snapping receipts, approving requests — are faster on your phone. See Install the mobile app (iOS & Android).
- Get oriented. Company-wide numbers live on the Dashboard; your own items live under My TERA. See Navigating your dashboard.
If you'd like the bigger picture first, read What is Tera?.
Day 2 — submit your first expense
This is the most common task in Tera, and the fastest way to learn how it works end to end.
- Capture the receipt with your phone camera — see Capture a receipt with your phone. You can also email a receipt to Tera.
- Submit the expense — see Submit an expense.
- Watch what happens next. Expenses move through a series of statuses as they're reviewed and approved: Understanding expense statuses.
Driving for work? You can also claim mileage.
Day 3 — set up how you spend
Depending on how your company works, you'll use a card, a wallet, or both.
If you use a corporate card
- Request a card (virtual or physical)
- Then finish setup for your region — Complete card KYC in India, or Activate your card in the US.
- Learn what your card can and can't do: Card limits and budgets.
If you use the Tera wallet (India)
Day 4 — approvals and the rules
- If things get routed to you for sign-off, start with Approve or reject a request.
- To understand why something needs approval — or why it got flagged — read Understanding policies and rules and Why was my expense or bill flagged?.
- Going on leave? Delegate your approvals.
Day 5 — let FinPilot do the boring parts
FinPilot is Tera's AI assistant. It can answer questions about your finance data and draft bills and receipts for you.
When something goes wrong
Setting Tera up for your whole company, rather than just yourself? Start with Set up your company (admin quick start).