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

# Getting Started

> Start drawing locally or connect your own Pixio API key for AI companion features.

Pixio Canvas supports iPadOS 18 or later and works with either touch or Apple Pencil. It does not require a Pixio Canvas account.

## First launch

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose whether to connect Pixio">
    You can enter your own Pixio API key on **Connect to Pixio**, or continue with the local drawing tools and add a key later in Settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keep the model roles on Auto">
    **Refine**, **Imagine**, and **Animate** can remain on **Auto**. Pixio Canvas resolves a compatible live model for each role. Advanced users can choose another compatible model from the live catalog.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the studio">
    Tap **Enter the studio** after saving a key, or **Skip for now** to continue locally, then complete or close the short walkthrough.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose how AI joins">
    Before the first AI request, review the **AI Processing** disclosure. Choose **Allow AI Processing** to enable Pixio AI features or **Not Now** to keep using local tools only.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make your first mark">
    Pick a pen, pencil, or marker from the left dock, choose a color and brush size, and draw with your finger or Apple Pencil.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Add your Pixio API key

Your API key belongs to your Pixio account. You can obtain and manage Pixio access at [beta.pixio.myapps.ai](https://beta.pixio.myapps.ai).

1. Open **Settings** in Pixio Canvas.
2. Find **Companion Key**.
3. Paste the complete key into **Pixio API key**.
4. Tap **Save key**.

The key is stored in the iPad Keychain and is not displayed again in the app. It authenticates AI and Pixio Library requests and can use credits from the connected Pixio account.

<Warning>
  Each person should use their own key. Do not share a key in screenshots, support messages, classrooms, public TestFlight instructions, or source code.
</Warning>

## Use Pixio Canvas without a key

Without a key, you can still:

* Draw, erase, crop, transform, zoom, pan, and rotate
* Create, reorder, rename, lock, hide, and adjust layers
* Undo, redo, clear, autosave, and reopen local canvases
* Browse and trace all bundled guides
* Turn a photo into a reusable stencil on the iPad

Quiet mode is the clearest local-only workspace. Whisper, Duet, Generate Stencil, Animate, and Pixio Library need a connected key and network access.

## Remove or replace a key

Open **Settings → Companion Key** and choose **Remove key**. Removing it disconnects cloud features but does not delete local drawings, custom stencils, or server-side assets already associated with the Pixio account.

<Info>
  If a TestFlight build on your iPad shows a key or local artwork you used before, it is reading that same iPad's Keychain and local Documents storage. Those items are not bundled into the app and are not visible to other testers.
</Info>

Next, choose how the companion behaves in [Quiet, Whisper, and Duet](/pixio-canvas/modes).