AppStart

Zero-to-hero setup guide for EmberDeck.

Follow this operational runbook to go from first sign-in to validated project workflows with clear safety checks and escalation paths.

Related docs: Help IA Plan, FAQ, and Contact.

EmberDeck AppStart Guide (Zero to Hero)

Target web URL: https://emberdeck.xyz/appstart

This guide is for a brand-new user going from first launch to confidently using EmberDeck with Firebase projects.

1) What you will finish

By the end, you will:

  • Sign in and complete onboarding.
  • Connect to at least one Firebase/Google Cloud project.
  • Confirm read access works for your key services.
  • Configure write safety (lock/unlock flow).
  • Validate Events automations and run logs.
  • Know where to troubleshoot quickly.

2) Before you start

You need:

  • A Google account with access to at least one Firebase project.
  • Permission to view project resources (minimum: read-level for target services).
  • Internet access from your device.

Recommended:

  • Owner/Editor access for setup, then reduce to least privilege.
  • A dedicated app account identity for production use.

3) First launch and sign-in

  1. Open EmberDeck and sign in with Google.
  2. Complete onboarding.
  3. Confirm you land on Projects (/home/projects).
  4. Select a project.

Verify success:

  • The top safety banner shows the active project.
  • You can open the selected project details without auth errors.

4) Confirm core project access

From the left rail or bottom nav, open these in order:

  • Firestore: /home/firestore
  • Realtime DB: /home/realtime-db
  • Storage: /home/storage
  • Auth Users: /home/auth

Verify success:

  • Each screen loads (data grid/list or clean empty state).
  • No repeated permission-denied loops.
  • Project context remains the same in the safety banner.

If access fails:

  • Use Projects -> Update Permissions.
  • Re-test the same screen.

5) Write safety model (important)

EmberDeck is read-first.

  • Locked mode: browse safely.
  • Unlocked mode: allows guarded writes where supported.

Steps:

  1. Keep project locked for normal browsing.
  2. Unlock only when needed for write actions.
  3. Re-lock after finishing changes.

Verify success:

  • Lock state changes visibly in app bar/safety banner.
  • Write actions are disabled when locked and enabled only when unlocked.

6) Events/Automation setup quick path

Route: /home/events

Steps:

  1. Create an automation (or open existing).
  2. Ensure service account/app account linkage is valid.
  3. Set schedule and save.
  4. Open automation details.
  5. Review recent run attempts and statuses.

Verify success:

  • Automation row appears in Events list.
  • Last run timestamp/status updates after run-now or schedule.
  • Run attempt history appears in event details (latest 100 + load more).

7) Messaging/Results and Audit checks

Routes:

  • Messages/Results: /home/events-messages
  • Audit: /home/audit

Verify success:

  • Messages/Results screen opens and filters/responds.
  • Audit entries appear for major operations.

8) Connection and trust checks

Routes:

  • Connection diagnostics: /home/connection-diagnostics
  • Legal/trust: /home/legal-trust

Use connection diagnostics when data does not load or seems delayed.

9) First-day validation checklist

Use this exact checklist:

  • Signed in and onboarding complete.
  • Active project selected and shown in safety banner.
  • Firestore/RTDB/Storage/Auth screens all open successfully.
  • Lock/unlock behavior validated.
  • At least one automation created or viewed.
  • Automation run status/history visible.
  • Messages/Results opens.
  • Audit entries visible.
  • Connection diagnostics runs successfully.

10) Where to get help

In app:

  • Help button in top app bar opens this guide.
  • Get help now screen (/home/support) for direct support/community links.

If something is broken:

  • Capture exact screen + action + timestamp.
  • Include error text/snippet.
  • Include project ID (if safe to share).

11) Suggested follow-up pages (same guide family)

Create additional web pages from this source set:

  • /appstart/permissions -> IAM roles and least-privilege setup.
  • /appstart/events -> automation setup + run interpretation.
  • /appstart/troubleshooting -> common failures and fixes.
  • /appstart/security -> lock/unlock and safe operating model.
  • /appstart/faq -> short answers for common onboarding questions.