> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://flexcover.gitbook.io/flexcover-protection-plans/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://flexcover.gitbook.io/flexcover-protection-plans/quick-start.md).

# Quick start

From install to your first protected order in about five minutes. The FlexCover home page shows this same progress as a checklist, so you can always see what's left.

## 1. Create your first plan

In the FlexCover admin, click **Create plan**.

A plan needs three decisions from you:

1. **Protection type** — Shipping protection, Warranty, Return insurance, or Custom protection.
2. **Customer-facing name and description** — what shoppers see in the cart.
3. **Price** — a fixed amount (e.g. $3.99) or a percentage of the order (e.g. 10%), with optional minimum/maximum caps.

Everything else has sensible defaults. See [Creating a plan](/flexcover-protection-plans/protection-plans/creating-a-plan.md) for a field-by-field walkthrough.

> 💡 **Not sure what to charge?** Shipping protection is most commonly a small flat fee ($2–$6). Warranties work well as a percentage (8–15%) so the fee scales with the order. See [Pricing options](/flexcover-protection-plans/protection-plans/pricing-options.md).

## 2. Turn on the cart widget

1. In your Shopify admin, go to **Online Store → Themes → Customize**.
2. Click **App embeds** (the plug icon in the left sidebar).
3. Toggle on **FlexCover** and click **Save**.

The widget now appears automatically in your cart drawer and cart page, above the checkout button. Please be assured that although the app embed is saved, you'll only see the widget once the cart contains at least one item and your plan is **Active**.

## 3. Test an order

1. Add any product to the cart on your storefront.
2. Tick the protection plan and confirm the fee appears in the cart total.
3. Complete a test order — the protection line item will appear in the order in your Shopify admin.

That's it — the rest is all yours. When the home page checklist shows **"Get your first protected order"** done, you're live.

## Optional: show plans at checkout (Shopify Plus)

If you're on Shopify Plus (or a development store with checkout extensibility), you can also show plans **inside checkout**:

1. Go to **Settings → Checkout → Customize** in your Shopify admin.
2. Click **Add block → FlexCover Checkout** and place it where you like (by default it lands above the contact information section).
3. Click **Save**.

See [Checkout block](/flexcover-protection-plans/storefront/checkout-block.md) for details.