Getting Started with Star: Your First 10 Minutes
Welcome to Star! This tutorial walks you through setting up your account and familiarizing yourself with the app. By the end, you'll have created your first show and added your first song.
Time required: 10 minutes
Step 1: Download and Install
Star is available on three platforms:
- iOS: Download from the App Store
- Android: Download from Google Play
- Web: Visit star.loha.dev
Download the version for your device and open the app.
Step 2: Create Your Account
When you first open Star, you'll see the sign-in screen.
Sign Up Options
- Google: One-tap sign in with your Google account
- Apple: Sign in with Apple ID (iOS/web)
- Facebook: Connect with your Facebook account
- Email: Create an account with email and password
Choose your preferred method. If using email, you'll need to verify your address.
Complete Your Profile
After signing in, you'll be prompted to:
- Add a profile photo (optional)
- Enter your display name
- Add a short bio (optional)
You can skip these and update them later in Settings.
Step 3: Explore the Home Screen
After setup, you'll land on the home screen. Take a moment to orient yourself:
Navigation
- Backstage: Your shows and upcoming events
- Repertoire: Your personal song library
- Search: Find songs, artists, songbooks
- Profile: Your account and settings
Quick Actions
Look for the "+" button to create new content quickly.
Step 4: Create Your First Show
Let's create a show to see how Star works.
- Tap the + button or navigate to Backstage
- Tap Create Show
- Enter a name: "My First Show"
- Optionally set a date (try next Sunday)
- Tap Create
You now have an empty show. Let's fill it.
Step 5: Add Your First Song
With your show open:
- Tap Add Entry or the + button
- Select Song
- Use the search bar to find a song (try "Amazing Grace")
- Tap on a result to preview it
- Tap Add to Show
The song now appears in your show's entry list.
Explore the Song
Tap on the song entry to see its details:
- Lyrics: Full text with verse/chorus structure
- Chords: Chord progression (if available)
- Details: Key, BPM, time signature
- Notes: Performance notes and tips
Step 6: Add a Section
Shows aren't just songs. Add structure with sections.
- Tap Add Entry
- Select Section
- Enter a title: "Welcome & Announcements"
- Add optional content text
- Tap Add
The section appears in your show. Drag to reorder it before your song.
Step 7: Preview Presentation Mode
See how your show will look during performance:
- Tap the Present button (usually top-right)
- Your show enters full-screen presentation mode
- Swipe or tap arrows to navigate between entries
- Tap the X or swipe down to exit
This is what you (or your tech volunteer) will see during the actual performance.
Step 8: Try the Practice Tools
Access Star's built-in tools:
- Find the Tools icon (usually in the menu or toolbar)
- Explore each tool:
- Metronome: Set a tempo, tap Start
- Tuner: Allow microphone access, play a note
- Piano: Tap keys for reference pitches
These tools are available anywhere in the app.
Step 9: Add a Song to Your Repertoire
Build your personal library:
- Navigate to Search
- Find a song you know well
- Open the song detail page
- Tap Add to Repertoire (heart or bookmark icon)
The song is now in your personal repertoire for quick access.
Step 10: Explore Settings
Before you finish, check your settings:
- Navigate to Profile > Settings
- Review available options:
- Notification preferences
- Display settings
- Account management
What You've Accomplished
In 10 minutes, you've:
- ✅ Created your Star account
- ✅ Created your first show
- ✅ Added a song from the library
- ✅ Added a custom section
- ✅ Previewed presentation mode
- ✅ Explored the practice tools
- ✅ Started building your repertoire
Next Steps
Now that you're familiar with the basics:
- Add more songs to your show
- Invite collaborators to see how sharing works
- Customize your show's design with backgrounds and colors
- Explore the song library to discover new music
