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

# Getting Started

> Set up your Bodha Route Planner account and plan your first optimized route in under 10 minutes.

## 1. Create your account

Sign up at [fleet.bodharouteplanner.com](https://fleet.bodharouteplanner.com) with your email, Google, or Apple account.

During signup you will be asked to provide:

* **Company name** — This becomes your organization name and is visible to your drivers and customers.
* **Industry** — Helps Bodha Route Planner tailor defaults (e.g. service time, vehicle types) for your business.
* **Country** — Sets your default distance unit (miles or kilometers), time format, and currency.

> [!TIP]
>
> You can change your company name, industry, and country later from **Settings → Company**.

## 2. Set your depot

Your depot is the starting (and optionally ending) location for all routes. It represents your warehouse, office, or distribution center.

1. Go to **Settings → Depot**.
2. Search for your address or drag the pin on the map.
3. Click **Save**.

Bodha Route Planner geocodes the address automatically and uses it as the origin for all route calculations.

> [!TIP]
>
> You can add multiple depots if you operate from more than one location. Each route can start from a different depot.

## 3. Invite your drivers

Before creating routes, add your delivery team:

1. Go to **Settings → Users**.
2. Click **Invite Driver**.
3. Enter their name, email, and phone number.
4. The driver receives an email with a link to download the **Bodha Route Planner Driver** app and set up their account.

Drivers can also be invited later — you can create and optimize routes without assigning drivers first.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Don't have drivers yet? You can still plan and optimize routes. Assign drivers when you're ready to dispatch.

## 4. Add your first stops

There are several ways to bring stops into a route:

| Method | Best for |
| - | - |
| **Paste addresses** | Quick entry from a spreadsheet — copy a column and paste directly |
| **Import a file** | Bulk upload from CSV or Excel with names, phones, time windows, etc. |
| **Type manually** | One-off stops — click **Add Stop** and search for an address |
| **Orders inbox** | If you use the API or integrations, orders appear ready to plan |

### Paste addresses

1. Copy a column of addresses from Google Sheets, Excel, or any text source.
2. In the route editor, click **Paste Addresses**.
3. Paste your clipboard — Bodha Route Planner geocodes each address and adds it as a stop.

### Import from file

1. Click **Import** and upload a `.csv` or `.xlsx` file.
2. Bodha Route Planner auto-detects columns (address, name, phone, notes, time windows, parcel count).
3. Map any unrecognized columns manually, then confirm the import.

See [Imports & Exports](https://help.bodharouteplanner.com/help/imports-exports.md) for detailed column mapping and formatting tips.

## 5. Optimize your route

Once your stops are added, click **Optimize**. Bodha Route Planner calculates the fastest sequence considering:

* **Drive time** — Real road-network distances and travel times
* **Time windows** — Customer-requested delivery slots (Pro plan)
* **Driver shift hours** — When each driver starts and ends their day
* **Service time** — How long each stop takes for loading, unloading, signatures
* **Vehicle capacity** — Weight, volume, and parcel limits (Pro plan)

The optimized route appears on the map with the new stop order and estimated arrival times for each stop.

## 6. Dispatch to drivers

Click **Dispatch** to send the route to your drivers. They will receive a push notification in the Bodha Route Planner Driver app with:

* Their stop list in optimized order
* Turn-by-turn navigation to each stop
* Customer details and delivery instructions
* Proof of delivery collection (signature, photos, notes)

> [!NOTE]
>
> For drivers who don't use the app, you can send a **driver share link** — a web-based route view that works in any mobile browser. No app install required.

## 7. Track progress

Once drivers start their routes, monitor everything from the **Routes Dashboard**:

* **Live map** — See driver positions updating in real time
* **Stop progress** — Track completed, in-progress, and remaining stops
* **ETAs** — View estimated arrival times for upcoming stops
* **Proof of delivery** — See signatures, photos, and notes as drivers complete stops

## What's next?

> **[Route optimization](https://help.bodharouteplanner.com/help/optimization.md)**
>
> Fine-tune your optimization settings for better routes.

> **[Managing drivers](https://help.bodharouteplanner.com/help/managing-drivers.md)**
>
> Invite drivers, set roles, and configure shift hours.

> **[Imports & exports](https://help.bodharouteplanner.com/help/imports-exports.md)**
>
> Bulk upload stops from spreadsheets and export route data.

> **[Proof of delivery](https://help.bodharouteplanner.com/help/proof-of-delivery.md)**
>
> Collect signatures, photos, and delivery notes.

> **[Plans & pricing](https://help.bodharouteplanner.com/help/plans-and-pricing.md)**
>
> Compare Starter and Pro plans and see what's included.

> **[Customer notifications](https://help.bodharouteplanner.com/help/customer-notifications.md)**
>
> Automatically notify customers about their deliveries.


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