The first time CampusKit opens it shows a full-screen setup wizard. It takes two or three minutes, and every step except the semester can be skipped and done later from Settings.
The steps
1. Welcome
Pick a theme: Dark, Light or System. Dark is the flagship look; light uses the same palette. You can change this any time in Settings, under General.
2. Your semester
Give the semester a name (for example “Fall 2026”) and its start and end dates. The dates drive the semester progress bar on the dashboard and the “until semester end” option for recurring assignments. This is the one step you should not skip, because courses need a semester to live in.
3. Connect an AI (optional)
Paste an Anthropic or OpenAI API key. A key unlocks syllabus import, natural-language quick-add and flashcard generation. Without it, the whole planner still works and the AI entry points simply show a plain form instead. The connect an AI provider guide has details on where to get a key and how it is stored. You can add one later in Settings, under AI.
4. Unlock CampusKit Pro (optional)
Pro adds the in-app Ask AI chat and the MCP server. If you already have a license key you can paste it here; otherwise skip this and read activate CampusKit Pro when you are ready. The free core never expires.
5. Add your courses
Two ways in:
- Manual: name, code, professor, units, meeting days and times, room and a color. Meeting times are what put the course on your timetable.
- Import a syllabus: drop the PDF and let the AI create the course, its grade weights and every dated deadline in one go. This needs an AI key from step 3. See import a syllabus.
Add as many courses as you like, or add them later from the Courses page.
6. Map your degree (optional)
Enter degree requirements by category (major, minor, general education, elective) with their units. This feeds the graduation progress ring in the Degree Planner. Most people fill this in over a weekend rather than on day one; skipping is fine.
7. Done
A summary of what you set up, including your plan (Free or Pro). Click through and you land on the dashboard.
Running the wizard again
Go to Settings, choose General, and under Setup click Setup assistant. Nothing is deleted when you re-run it. Steps you already finished are shown as done, so you can, for example, come back only to map your degree or connect an AI.
Existing installs are never forced back into the wizard after an update.
Next step
If you skipped syllabus import, that is the fastest way to fill a semester: import a syllabus PDF.