# Quickstart: Your first secure share

- url: https://www.plox.in/docs/quickstart
- excerpt: Upload a file, configure access, and share a trackable link in under five minutes.

**Plox Tip:** You don't need to read the entire docs site before sending your first link. This page is the shortest path from sign-up to a tracked share.

## Before you begin

- A free Plox account at [app.plox.in](https://app.plox.in).
- The file you want to share (PDF, PPTX, DOCX, XLSX, images, or video — up to your plan's [upload limit](/docs/upload-limits)).
- The email of at least one person you want to send it to (optional, but useful for testing analytics).

## 1. Upload your file

1. Open the **Documents** tab from the left sidebar.
2. Click **Upload Document**.
3. Drag-and-drop your file or click to browse from your device.

Plox encrypts the file on upload and indexes it for analytics. There's no folder structure to set up — your file is ready to share the moment the upload bar finishes.

## 2. Set access controls

Click the three dots (•••) next to your file and open **Access Controls**. The three most common starting points:

- **Track but stay open** — turn on **Require Email to View**. Captures every viewer's email; minimal friction; great for top-of-funnel.
- **Verified viewers only** — Require Email **plus** [Email Verification via OTP](/docs/email-verification-via-otp). Confirms the viewer is real before access.
- **Private send** — [Require Passcode](/docs/require-password-to-view) or [Allow Specific Emails](/docs/allow-access-to-specific-emails). Tightest control; share the credential out-of-band.

You can change controls **after** sharing — they apply to the next view, not retroactively. So it's safe to start permissive and tighten later.

## 3. Copy the link and share

Click **Copy Link** on the document row. Paste it anywhere — email, Slack, LinkedIn, a calendar invite. It works on any device and viewers don't need a Plox account.

## 4. Watch the response

Within seconds of someone opening the link you'll see:

- An email alert in your inbox (if email is required)
- A live entry in **Analytics** showing time per page, completion %, and revisit history. See [Tracking your document](/docs/tracking-your-document) for the full playbook.

## What's next

- [Add your logo](/docs/add-your-logo) — make every share branded.
- [Tracking your document](/docs/tracking-your-document) — read the analytics signals like a pro.
- [What is a data room](/docs/what-is-a-data-room) — when one file isn't enough.