# Quick Start Tutorial

{% hint style="danger" %}
**DO NOT** just open your show file

**ALWAYS** open Spikemark through the Start Menu or Task Bar and then use **File>Open** to open your show

This will ensure that your show and machinery load properly in the software.
{% endhint %}

## <img src="https://3040525219-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhFI6SSKpm8M7EkrYqp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-cf2967523524b91ad6a73a2214806261a83da83b%2FSpikeMarkIcon.png?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line">What's in this tutorial?

### - [**STEP 1: Adding Motors**](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark/quickstart/adding-motors) <img src="https://3040525219-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhFI6SSKpm8M7EkrYqp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-090d0abdb3f7cbfdb1398d132d22355d23c15dd4%2FSM_QS_NS_AMHeader.gif?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line">

### **-** [**STEP 2: Saving A Show File**](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark/quickstart/saving) <img src="https://3040525219-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhFI6SSKpm8M7EkrYqp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-78d003c4bc14a015bece48e9f44c9887f50f4f7f%2FSM_QS_NS_SaveHeader.png?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line">

### **-** [**STEP 3: Jogging**](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark/quickstart/jogging) <img src="https://3040525219-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhFI6SSKpm8M7EkrYqp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-cc9373362a2c88721ee51e4fb263cdd397086406%2FSprocket%20Man%20-%20Pixel%20Perfect.png?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line">

### **-** [**STEP 4: Writing Your First Cues**](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark/quickstart/writing-your-first-cues) <img src="https://3040525219-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhFI6SSKpm8M7EkrYqp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d8047f9fc5af64819fe8c04489c7a8f9816f235a%2FCue%201.png?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line">

### **-** [**STEP 5: Going Live**](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark/quickstart/step-5-going-live) <img src="https://3040525219-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhFI6SSKpm8M7EkrYqp%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-28538c084aecba1d15667266ebd38168835befb2%2Flive%201.gif?alt=media" alt="" data-size="line">

If you haven't done so already, download the latest version of Spikemark from the toolbar at the top, or visit our [**Spikemark Installation**](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark/spikemark-installation) page for full instructions. Once you're installed, open the program and let's get started!

{% hint style="warning" %}
When you download **Spikemark 5**, you will also need to **update your** [**Stagehand's Firmware**](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/stagehand/firmware) and will need to **update some** [**VFD Parameters**](https://github.com/creativeconners/PublicDocumentation/blob/main/spikemark/quickstart/broken-reference/README.md).
{% endhint %}