Getting Started with Kora

You have learned what Kora is. You understand how it thinks about animal management. You know your user type and permissions. You explored the Knowledge Hub's disease intelligence. You saw how the system adapts between desktop and mobile. Now it is time to actually use Kora.

This chapter walks you through your first steps. You will create your account. You will set up your first location (if applicable). You will add your first animal. You will navigate the system. By the end, you will have hands-on experience with Kora's core workflows.

Kora is Instance-Based

Unlike typical cloud software where you sign up directly, Kora operates on an instance-based model. This means specific things for how you get access.

Your organisation runs a Kora instance:

• Your farm, zoo, conservation organisation, regulatory authority, or workplace hosts a Kora installation
• An instance administrator (typically IT staff or designated manager) manages the Kora instance for your organisation
• You do not sign up independently. Your administrator adds you to your organisation's existing Kora instance

Why instance-based matters:

• Data privacy: Your animal data stays within your organisation's control
• Customisation: Your instance can be configured for your specific needs (species focus, regional compliance, organisational workflows)
• Security: Your organisation controls access, permissions, and data management
• Integration: Kora can integrate with your existing systems (where applicable)

What this means for onboarding: You will receive account credentials or an invitation from your instance administrator. You do not "sign up" on a public website. Your administrator provisions access to your organisation's Kora instance.

What You Will Learn in This Chapter

6.1 Creating Your Account - How to get access to your organisation's Kora instance, choosing your user type, veterinarian approval process

6.2 Setting Up Your First Location - Creating locations (farms, reserves, facilities), adding GPS coordinates, drawing boundaries, creating subdivisions

6.3 Your First Animal Record - Adding individual animals, identification methods, basic information, assigning to locations

6.4 Navigation Basics - Understanding navigation on desktop and mobile, App Launcher, home dashboard, search

Who This Chapter Is For

All users benefit from this chapter. Some sections are optional depending on your role:

Everyone needs:

• Account creation (6.1)
• Navigation basics (6.4)

Location managers need:

• Setting up locations (6.2) - If you manage properties, paddocks, enclosures, or territories

Animal record creators need:

• First animal record (6.3) - If you add animals to the system

Some users may skip sections:

• Veterinarians: May skip location setup (you access client locations, not create your own)
• Regulatory authorities: May skip both location and animal creation (you view data across organisations, not create it)
• Community Animal Health Workers: May skip location setup if working across multiple properties managed by others

Read the sections relevant to your workflow. Skip those that are not.

The Learning Approach

This chapter uses progressive learning:

1. Core concepts first - Understand what you are doing before you do it
2. Step-by-step guidance - Clear instructions for each task
3. Why it matters - Context for each action
4. Real examples - Scenarios across different user contexts (farms, zoos, wildlife, conservation)

By the end of this chapter, you will not just know how to use Kora. You will understand why you are doing each step. You will see how it fits into your animal management workflow.

Expectations for Your First Session

What you will accomplish:

• Access your Kora account
• Understand how to navigate the interface
• Create a location (if you manage properties)
• Add your first animal record (if applicable to your role)
• Understand where to find key features

What you will not master yet:

• Advanced features (breeding programmes, biosecurity protocols, complex traceability)
• Detailed analytics and reporting
• System configuration and administration
• Specialised workflows (studbook management, regulatory compliance, AMR stewardship)

Those come later, in subsequent chapters. This chapter focuses on fundamentals. You will get oriented. You will become comfortable with Kora's basic operations.

Starting with a Blank Slate

When you first access Kora, your instance will not have sample data or example animals. You start with:

• Your user account
• System features available to your user type
• Empty animal lists, empty location hierarchies, empty task lists

This blank slate is intentional. You will build your animal management system from the ground up. It will reflect your animals, your locations, your workflows. By creating real records from the start, you learn how Kora works with your actual management needs. Not hypothetical examples.

Before You Begin

What you need:

• Access credentials or invitation from your instance administrator
• Information about animals you will be managing (names, IDs, species, basic details)
• Location information (GPS coordinates, property names, subdivision structures) if you manage facilities
• A few minutes of focused time to complete initial setup

What is helpful (but optional):

• Mobile device for GPS-based features
• Printer for QR code generation (can be done later)
• List of team members who need access (if you have permission to invite users)