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

# Getting Started

> Enable Melonly CAD for your server, link it to your departments, and set it up.

***

## Setting Up the CAD

This page is for server admins. You need server administrator access and an active Departments subscription, which includes the CAD on every plan. If you just want to use the CAD, see [Joining the CAD](/CAD/Intro/joining).

### Enabling the CAD

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your departments">
    Create a department for each team that will use the CAD and give it the right Department Type. See the [Department Server Guide](/Department/gettingstarted).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Turn the CAD on">
    Go to Dashboard, then Departments, then Settings, and click **Enable** on the Melonly CAD card. See [Departments](/Dashboard/department#melonly-cad).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the admin panel">
    Click **Configure CAD** on the same card. Use **Copy CAD Link** to share the CAD with your members.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="Melonly CAD on the Departments settings page">
  <img className="block" src="https://mintcdn.com/melonly/CVfDKiJAsPi1zw1G/images/CAD/Intro/enablecad.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=CVfDKiJAsPi1zw1G&q=85&s=606bc5610e02d567a9fb35188f07574f" alt="The Melonly CAD card on Dashboard, Departments, Settings after enabling, showing Configure CAD, Open CAD and Copy CAD Link" style={{ borderRadius: '0.75rem' }} width="1918" height="989" data-path="images/CAD/Intro/enablecad.png" />
</Frame>

<Warning>
  If your subscription lapses or you run out of department slots, the CAD turns off. Turn it back on from the same card once your plan is sorted.
</Warning>

***

## Linking Departments to Panels

Each department's type decides which panel its ranks can unlock.

| Department Type | Unlocks |
| - | - |
| Law Enforcement | Police panel |
| Fire | Fire panel |
| EMS | EMS panel |
| DOT | DOT panel |
| Dispatch | Dispatch panel |
| Civilian | Civilian panel permissions |

* A Police, Fire, EMS, DOT or Dispatch tile stays greyed out until a department of that type exists.
* Civilian, Law and DMV need at least one department of any type.
* Tick CAD permissions on each rank in the department's rank settings. See [Roster](/Department/roster#roles) and [Permissions](/CAD/Intro/permissions).

<Tip>
  Department Administrators automatically get every CAD permission for their department's type, except CAD Admin. You only need to tick boxes for other ranks.
</Tip>

***

## Setup Checklist

Work through these in the admin panel. You can also reach it from the **Admin** button at the bottom of the panel picker.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review general settings">
    Choose whether units can self-dispatch, whether people must be clocked in or running a bodycam, and whether the Civilian panel is open to everyone. See [Config](/CAD/Admin/config#general-settings).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create agencies">
    Nobody can create a unit on a panel until it has at least one agency. See [Agencies](/CAD/Admin/customization#agencies).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up your panels">
    Rename panels, change colours and images, add extra service panels, and limit panels to certain agencies. See [Customization](/CAD/Admin/customization).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customise codes and statuses">
    Set regional terms, 10-codes, unit statuses, groups, tones and address shortcuts. See [Regionality](/CAD/Admin/customization/regionality) and [10-Codes](/CAD/Admin/customization/ten-codes).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build record templates">
    Edit the default templates or create your own records, reports, licences and vehicle registrations. See [Templates](/CAD/Admin/recordsreports#templates).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up the law">
    Add acts and charges, speeding fines, surcharges and licence suspensions. See [Law](/CAD/Admin/law).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create radio channels">
    Add channels and channel groups so units can talk. See [Channels](/CAD/Admin/radio#channels).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite people">
    Department members can open the CAD straight away. For anyone else, create a join code. See [Join Codes](/CAD/Admin/members/join-codes).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Joining the CAD" icon="door-open" href="/CAD/Intro/joining">
    How members open a panel, join with a code, and clock in.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Permissions" icon="key" href="/CAD/Intro/permissions">
    What each rank permission unlocks.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Card title="Need help?" icon="headset" href="https://melonly.xyz/discord">
  Still have questions? Join our Discord server for support from the Melonly Team.
</Card>


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