> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.realtimelca.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Activate your account

> Activate your Real-Time LCA user and sign in for the first time.

Before you can sign in to Real-Time LCA, you need to activate the user that was created for you. Activation links you to an authentication method — either a Real-Time LCA password or your Microsoft 365 account — and confirms your identity.

## Before you start

You need:

* An activation email from `support@realtimelca.com` with the subject **Activate your Real-Time LCA user**.
* Access to the inbox the email was sent to.

<Note>
  If you cannot find the email, check your spam folder. If it still does not appear, reach out to [support@realtimelca.com](mailto:support@realtimelca.com) and we will resend the invite.
</Note>

## Step 1: Open the activation email

Open the **Activate your Real-Time LCA user** email and click **Activate your user**. If the button does not work, copy the link below it and paste it into your browser.

<Frame caption="Activation email from support@realtimelca.com">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/real-timelca/qE100o84N87Cf9Mk/images/user-guide/Activation%20email.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=qE100o84N87Cf9Mk&q=85&s=79b6c911dd4e2388e102b968a398d64f" alt="Activation email showing the Activate your user button and a fallback activation link." width="2534" height="2442" data-path="images/user-guide/Activation email.png" />
</Frame>

<Warning>
  The activation link is single-use and time-limited. If it expires before you activate, contact support to receive a new invite.
</Warning>

## Step 2: Choose how to activate

The activation link takes you to **Activate your account**. You can either set a Real-Time LCA password or activate with your Microsoft account.

<Frame caption="Empty activation form">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/real-timelca/qE100o84N87Cf9Mk/images/user-guide/Set%20Password.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=qE100o84N87Cf9Mk&q=85&s=7aec90b0bb725f4f03f098dfe782a3a1" alt="Activate your account form with empty New password and Confirm new password fields." width="3104" height="2024" data-path="images/user-guide/Set Password.png" />
</Frame>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Set a password">
    1. Enter a password in **New password**.
    2. Re-enter the same password in **Confirm new password**.
    3. Click **Activate**.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Use Microsoft">
    1. Click **Microsoft** under **Or activate with**.
    2. Sign in with your work or personal Microsoft account and approve the access request.

    After approval, your Real-Time LCA user is linked to your Microsoft identity and you can sign in with single sign-on from now on.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

By activating, you agree to the **Terms** and **Privacy Policy** linked at the bottom of the form.

## Step 3: Meet the password requirements

As you type, each requirement turns green when satisfied. Your password must contain:

* At least **8 characters**
* At least **1 number**
* At least **1 special character**
* At least **1 lowercase letter**
* At least **1 capital letter**
* No 3 or more recurring characters

<Frame caption="Password requirements update as you type">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/real-timelca/qE100o84N87Cf9Mk/images/user-guide/Password%20requirements.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=qE100o84N87Cf9Mk&q=85&s=26244019d3a596eb4a7683e422d68492" alt="Activation form showing all password requirement chips turned green." width="3104" height="2024" data-path="images/user-guide/Password requirements.png" />
</Frame>

The **Activate** button stays disabled until every requirement is met and the two password fields match.

## Step 4: Confirm activation

When activation succeeds you see a confirmation screen, and the browser redirects to the Real-Time LCA app shortly after.

<Frame caption="Account successfully activated">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/real-timelca/qE100o84N87Cf9Mk/images/user-guide/Successfull%20account%20activation.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=qE100o84N87Cf9Mk&q=85&s=61080296e9ff61382ba1b23dac857562" alt="Successfully activated confirmation screen with a green checkmark." width="3104" height="2024" data-path="images/user-guide/Successfull account activation.png" />
</Frame>

## A second email: your Speckle credentials

Alongside activation, Real-Time LCA automatically provisions a **Speckle user** for you on our own Speckle server and sends a follow-up email with the server URL and a temporary password. You only need this if you plan to connect a design authoring tool (Revit, Rhino, ArchiCAD, Grasshopper) to Real-Time LCA — otherwise you can ignore it.

See [Introduction to Speckle](/user-guide/integrations/speckle) for the install steps and how the connection fits together.

## Next steps

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create your first project" icon="folder-plus" href="/user-guide/project/create-new-project">
    Start the project wizard and run your first calculation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect a design tool via Speckle" icon="cubes" href="/user-guide/integrations/speckle">
    Install the Speckle Connector and sign in with your Speckle credentials.
  </Card>
</Columns>