Version
Edit (10/30/2025)

Quick Start Guide

Get up and running with KINANA in minutes! This guide provides the essentials to start using the platform right away.

5-Minute Setup

1. Log In & Set Up Your Profile (1 minute)

  • Access your KINANA platform URL
  • Log in with your credentials
  • Complete your profile (name, preferences)
  • Set your timezone and language

2. Explore the Four Main Sections (2 minutes)

Libraries → Browse and access documents (PDFs, EPUB, Office files)
Videos → Watch educational content and tutorials
Podcasts → Listen to audio content and lectures
Brokkly → Visual coding platform for robotics programming

3. Try Brokkly (2 minutes)

  1. Click Brokkly in the main navigation
  2. Select New Project or choose a Starter Activity
  3. Drag code blocks onto the canvas
  4. Connect blocks to create a simple program
  5. Click Run to test (works in simulator mode without hardware)

Done! You're now familiar with the basics.

Your First Project in Brokkly

Without Hardware (Simulator Mode)

Quick Activity: LED Blink

  1. Open Brokkly
  2. From Activities, select "My First Program" or create a new project
  3. Drag these blocks onto the canvas:
    • Start block
    • Turn LED On block
    • Wait 1 second block
    • Turn LED Off block
    • Wait 1 second block
    • Loop Forever block
  4. Connect them in sequence
  5. Click Run in Simulator
  6. Watch the virtual LED blink!

Time: 3-5 minutes

With Hardware (Connected Kit)

Prerequisites:

  • One of our robotics kits (Maker, RC Car, Discovery V3, or Dualsense)
  • USB cable or Bluetooth connection
  • Kit powered on

Quick Activity: Hello Hardware

  1. Connect your kit via USB or Bluetooth
  2. In Brokkly, click Connect Hardware
  3. Select your kit type
  4. Wait for connection confirmation (green indicator)
  5. Load any "Getting Started" activity for your kit
  6. Click Upload to Device
  7. Watch your kit respond!

Time: 5-10 minutes

Essential Features at a Glance

Libraries

Upload a Document

  1. Go to Libraries
  2. Click Upload or drag-and-drop
  3. Add title and description
  4. Save

Find Content

  • Use the search bar (top right)
  • Apply filters (format, date, category)
  • Browse collections and folders

Videos

Watch a Video

  • Click Videos → Browse or search
  • Click any thumbnail to play
  • Use playback controls (speed, quality, subtitles)

Upload Your Own (if you have permissions)

  • Click Upload → Choose file or paste URL
  • Add metadata (title, description, tags)
  • Publish

Podcasts

Stream Audio

  • Navigate to Podcasts
  • Select an episode or series
  • Click play
  • Adjust playback speed if desired

Download for Offline

  • Click the download icon next to any episode
  • Access from your downloads folder

Brokkly Visual Coding

Code Block Categories

  • Control: Start, Stop, Loop, If/Else
  • Motors: Move forward/backward, turn, speed control
  • Sensors: Read distance, light, touch, color
  • Logic: Compare values, math operations, variables
  • Actions: LED, sounds, displays, servos

Workspace Tips

  • Drag & Drop: Pull blocks from the left panel to canvas
  • Connect: Snap blocks together (they'll highlight when close)
  • Delete: Drag unwanted blocks to trash or press Delete
  • Zoom: Use mouse wheel or zoom controls
  • Pan: Click and drag on empty canvas space

Common First Tasks

Task: Browse and Read a Document

Libraries → Search or Browse → Click Document → Read or Download
Time: 1 minute

Task: Watch a Tutorial Video

Videos → Search "tutorial" → Select Video → Play
Time: 2 minutes + video length

Task: Create a Simple Program

Brokkly → New Project → Drag Start block → Add action blocks → Connect → Run
Time: 5 minutes

Task: Program Your Kit to Move

Brokkly → Connect Hardware → New Project →
Add: Start → Move Forward → Wait 2 sec → Stop → Upload
Time: 5 minutes

Quick Tips

Navigation
Main menu is always accessible - click the hamburger icon or logo to return home.

Search Everything
The global search (top right) searches across all content types.

Save Often
In Brokkly, your project auto-saves, but use Save Project before closing.

Use Activities
Don't start from scratch - Activities provide ready-to-use templates and lessons.

Test in Simulator
No hardware? Use the simulator to test all your Brokkly code.

Hardware Connection
Green icon = connected, Yellow = connecting, Red = disconnected

Keyboard Shortcuts (Brokkly)

  • Ctrl/Cmd + S: Save project
  • Ctrl/Cmd + Z: Undo
  • Ctrl/Cmd + Y: Redo
  • Delete: Remove selected block
  • Ctrl/Cmd + C/V: Copy/Paste blocks

Recommended Learning Path

Day 1: Platform Orientation

  1. Explore all four main sections
  2. Browse available content
  3. Create your first Brokkly project (simulator mode)

Day 2: Brokkly Fundamentals

  1. Complete 2-3 beginner activities
  2. Connect hardware (if available)
  3. Modify an activity to make it your own

Day 3: Content Creation

  1. Upload documents or media (if you have permissions)
  2. Create a custom project from scratch in Brokkly
  3. Share your work with others (if feature available)

Week 1 Goal

  • Comfortable navigating all platform sections
  • Completed 5+ Brokkly activities
  • Successfully programmed hardware (if available)
  • Created at least one original project

Troubleshooting Quick Fixes

Can't log in?
→ Check credentials, reset password if needed, contact admin

Hardware won't connect?
→ Check power, USB connection, try different USB port, restart kit

Code won't upload?
→ Verify hardware connection (green icon), check for block errors (red highlights)

Video won't play?
→ Check internet connection, try different browser, clear cache

Can't find content?
→ Use search, check filters aren't too restrictive, verify access permissions

What's Next?

Now that you've completed the quick start:

Need More Help?

  • Knowledge Base - Common issues and solutions
  • FAQ - Frequently asked questions
  • Contact Support - Available through the help menu

You're ready to go! Start exploring and creating with KINANA.

Estimated total time to complete this quick start: 15-20 minutes

In this document