# Quickstart

> Get from a new StrideHQ account to your first paid creator payment run.

This guide takes you from a new StrideHQ account to your first paid payment run. If any of these terms are new, read [StrideHQ building blocks](https://developers.stridehq.ai/docs/get-started/building-blocks.md) first.

## Before you start

You'll need:

- Your company number, and details of your directors and beneficial owners
- A photo ID for the identity check
- A few creators' details, or a spreadsheet of them
- Some creator invoices to pay, as PDF or Word files

## 1. Create your account

Go to [app.stridehq.ai](https://app.stridehq.ai/register), choose **Create account** and verify your business email. Then tell us whether you're a talent agency, a brand or a platform.

## 2. Verify your business

Complete the verification steps: your company details, directors and beneficial owners, your business bank account, and an identity check.

You can explore StrideHQ while we review your account. Payments are switched on once the review is complete.

## 3. Invite your team

In **Settings**, under **Team**, choose **Invite team member** and pick a role for each person. Only Owners, Admins and Finance Leads can create and approve payment runs.

## 4. Add your creators

Under **Onboarding**, go to **Creators** and choose:

- **Add creator** to add one at a time, with their business, compliance and bank details
- **Import from spreadsheet** to bring in your existing list

## 5. Add invoices

In **Payments**, go to **Invoices** and choose **Upload invoices**. You can upload up to 50 PDF or Word files at a time, up to 20MB each.

StrideHQ reads each invoice and matches it to the creator. Check anything marked **To review**, then approve the invoices you're happy with.

## 6. Create your first payment run

In **Payments**, go to **Payment runs**. The **Due for payment** tab lists everything that's ready to pay. Choose **Create payment run** and confirm.

If the StrideHQ Agent has already prepared a run, it shows as ready for your approval.

## 7. Approve the run

Review the run and choose **Approve**. StrideHQ checks every creator again and refreshes the exchange rates. Approving doesn't move any money.

## 8. Fund the run

Send a bank transfer for the run total to the account shown on the run, using the run's **Reference** so StrideHQ can match it. The run moves to **Funds received** once the money arrives.

## 9. Send the payouts

Choose **Process payouts**, check the total, and enter the 6-digit code we email you. StrideHQ pays every creator in the run, in their own currency, and the run moves to **Completed**.

## Next steps

- See every action in the **Activity log** under **Reports**, or download a completed run's audit trail.
- Read the [guides](https://developers.stridehq.ai/docs/guides/creator-onboarding.md) for each part of the workflow.
- Connect an AI client with the [StrideHQ MCP Server](https://developers.stridehq.ai/docs/build-with-ai/mcp-server.md).