Getting Started with Vela: A 5-Minute Quickstart
From zero to organized family in 5 minutes. Here is how to start using Vela today.
Vela TeamWelcome to Vela!
Getting your family organized with Vela takes about 5 minutes. Here's everything you need to know.
Step 1: Find Vela
On Telegram: Search for @VelaFamilyBot and tap "Start" On Messenger: Search for "Vela" or visit our Facebook page and tap "Message"
Step 2: Complete Onboarding
Vela will ask you a few quick questions:
- What's your name?
- What's your timezone?
- Do you want to add family members now or later?
That's it. You're set up.
Step 3: Try Your First Command
The easiest way to start is with a task. Try saying:
"Add buy milk to my shopping list"
Or send a voice note:
"Remind me to call the dentist tomorrow at 2pm"
What You Can Do
Tasks & Shopping Lists
/shopping - View your shopping list
"Add eggs to shopping"
"Mark buy milk as done"
Calendar & Events
"Add dinner with Sarah on Friday at 7pm"
"What's on my calendar this week?"
Reminders
"Remind everyone about soccer practice tomorrow at 4pm"
"Remind me to take out the trash tonight"
Voice Notes
Just talk naturally. Vela understands context:
- "Move that dentist appointment to next Tuesday"
- "What's on my todo list?"
- "Did anyone pick up the dry cleaning?"
Tips for Success
- Use voice notes - Faster than typing, and Vela's built for it
- Add family members - The real magic happens when everyone's connected
- Send photos - Got a birthday invitation? Snap a pic and send it to Vela
- Talk naturally - You don't need special commands. Just talk like you're texting a friend.
Common Questions
Q: Do I need Telegram or Messenger? A: You need either Telegram or Facebook Messenger (both are free). Pick whichever your family prefers.
Q: Can my family use different messaging apps? A: Yes! Your family can mix Telegram and Messenger—everyone stays in sync. WhatsApp is coming soon too.
Q: Is it really free? A: Yes, during beta. We're gathering feedback and improving. Pricing will come later, but beta users get grandfathered in.
Q: What if I need help?
A: Use the /feedback command anytime. We read everything and respond fast.
What's Next?
Now that you're set up, try these:
- Add your first family event
- Invite a family member to join
- Send a voice note creating tomorrow's todo list
That's it! You're now using Vela. Welcome aboard. 🎉