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First Steps

Need help getting set up?

Bunker Operations provides managed infrastructure and hands-on setup assistance for organizations running Changemaker Lite. We handle domains, tunnels, SMTP, and servers so you can focus on your campaign. Get in touch: bnkops.com | admin@bnkops.ca

You've installed Changemaker Lite — here's what to do next.

1. Log In

Open the admin panel at http://localhost:3000 (or app.DOMAIN in production) and sign in with the admin email and password you configured during setup.

Login Page

Where's the password if I let the wizard generate one?

If you ran config.sh -y without --admin-password, the generated password was printed once to stdout and saved to data/admin-credentials.txt (mode 0600). Retrieve it with:

cat ~/changemaker.lite/data/admin-credentials.txt

Delete the file once you've saved the password elsewhere (e.g. in Vaultwarden).

Change your password

Whatever password you're logging in with first, change it immediately from Settings > Organization.

2. Explore the Dashboard

The dashboard gives you an at-a-glance view of platform activity. Initially it will be empty — that's normal.

Admin Dashboard

3. Configure Settings

Visit Settings (/app/settings) to:

  • Set your organization name, logo, and tagline
  • Choose theme colors for admin and public interfaces
  • Enable feature modules (campaigns, map, media, payments, etc.)
  • Configure email delivery (MailHog for testing, production SMTP for live use)
  • Check the System tab to verify your installation and check for updates

Settings Page

4. Create Your First Campaign

Go to Campaigns (/app/campaigns) and click Create Campaign:

  1. Write a title and description
  2. Compose the email template supporters will send
  3. Select government levels to target
  4. Publish — the campaign appears at /campaigns

Campaigns Page

5. Add Locations

Go to Locations (/app/map) and add addresses:

  • Click on the map to drop a marker
  • Import a CSV of addresses
  • Use the NAR (National Address Register) import for Canadian data

Locations Page

6. Schedule a Shift

Go to Shifts (/app/map/shifts) and create your first volunteer shift:

  1. Set a date, time, and location description
  2. Optionally link it to a canvassing area
  3. Share the public shifts page (/shifts) with volunteers

Shifts Page

7. Invite Volunteers

Share the shifts page link or generate QR codes for in-person events. Volunteers sign up with just an email address.

Next Steps