# Joining a Community

### Step 1: Create an Account

Before you can join any community, you **must first create an ImperialCAD account**.\
👉 [Click here to view the Account Creation Guide](/general/getting-started/creating-an-account.md)

> You'll use this account to access the CAD, get department permissions, and receive in-game data if your community supports integrations.

***

### Step 2: Open the User Portal

Once your account is created:

1. **Login** to your ImperialCAD account.
2. Click your **username** at the top-right corner of the landing page.
3. Select [**Portal**](https://imperialcad.app/portal) from the dropdown.
4.

```
<figure><img src="/files/izqcvJ2QuUMpSP6Wqro2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
```

5. In the Portal, click **Join A Community** (blue door icon).
6.

```
<figure><img src="/files/kC2Ehg4kw1XJKIcPxPt5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
```

***

### Step 3: Join with a Community Key

* Enter the **Community Key** provided by your server staff or admins.
* Press **Enter** to confirm.

<figure><img src="/files/Yt3mnTqpYVn0lMoOqZmb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* You’re now linked to the community and can be assigned to departments by their staff.

> ✅ Once joined, permissions will be granted based on your community’s setup; either via manual assignment, Permission Keys, or automatic roles (if Discord sync is enabled).

***

### 🔗 Alternate: Use a Direct Invite Link

Some communities may also send you a **direct invite link**. Clicking this will:

* Automatically join you to the correct community,
* Skip the need for a manual key.

***

### 🛠️ Need Help?

If you have any issues joining a community, contact your server admin first. For CAD-specific issues, you can open a ticket on [our Discord](https://discord.com/invite/imperialsolutions).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.imperialcad.app/general/getting-started/joining-a-community.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.