# Retain App: Quick Start Guide

**Categories:** Getting started

**Published:** December 8, 2025

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Quickly get started using Retain in four steps:



```markdown
| Step | Action |
|------|--------|
| 1 | Create account |
| 2 | Download app |
| 3 | Record a meeting |
| 4 | Create the perfect follow-up email |
```

### **1. Create account**



![Missing alt text](https://sanity-cdn.retainapp.ai/images/iwweo518/production/406fb8d790de96a1514f87d1b7fcbdcf3bc81646-1228x1568.png)


Sign up using your work email so Retain can personalize insights and connect to your calendar and inbox.



Once your account is created, you’ll immediately gain access to your dashboard and setup prompts.



### **2. Download app**



![Missing alt text](https://sanity-cdn.retainapp.ai/images/iwweo518/production/49579a9a0bed3d0542505e1ebe246f4a0897d5e7-2004x1472.png)


Visit http://retainapp.ai and choose the [download](https://retainapp.ai/download) link the top right corner.



Install the Retain desktop app for the best recording and automation experience.



Log in to sync your calendar, email, and workspace settings.



The app guides you through permissions so meeting capture and note syncing work seamlessly.



### **3. Takes automatic notes for a meeting**



![Missing alt text](https://sanity-cdn.retainapp.ai/images/iwweo518/production/c8977dde3cdc13c516c66fa5dc277f2723df89db-610x580.png)


Open Retain before your meeting or use the auto-capture prompt if enabled.



Retain will join, listen, and build structured notes—action items, decisions, risks, stakeholders, and more.



When the meeting ends, your notes appear automatically in your workspace.



Learn more about [capturing meetings](https://retainapp.ai/help/article/retain-app-how-to-capture-meetings-with-retain) with Retain.



### **4. Create the perfect follow-up email**



![Missing alt text](https://sanity-cdn.retainapp.ai/images/iwweo518/production/225b4a39c8acc9a6059d85f8dd16e0b1d4ec03f3-1200x800.png)


From the meeting summary, click **Generate Follow-Up**.



Retain drafts a polished, context-aware email using the action items, owners, dates, and key decisions captured from the meeting.



Edit lightly, hit send, and keep your projects moving forward.



[Learn more about drafting emails with Retain.](https://retainapp.ai/help/article/write-more-effective-emails-expertise)