Getting Started in Katmai

This guide covers the following: 

1. Signing Up for the First Time
2. Your Katmai Dashboard
3. Creating and Customizing Your Space
4. Entering the Virtual Office
5. Navigation and Controls
6. Inviting Users and Guests
7. Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Signing Up for the First Time

If you haven't yet, make sure to sign up for your free virtual office. Visit Katmai to get started – or use this link to go directly to the signup page.

Begin the signup process by simply entering in your email address and agreeing to the terms and conditions. 

You’ll receive an email verifying your email address. (This will come from no-reply@katmaitech.com – be sure to check your spam folder if it does not appear right away.)

1. Visit katmaitech.com or go directly to the signup page.

2. Enter your email address and agree to the terms and conditions.

3. Confirm your email via the verification email sent from no-reply@katmaitech.com.

4. Log into app.katmaitech.com. 

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2. Your Katmai Dashboard

The Dashboard is your central hub for spaces, users, and guest passes. When first sign up, you'll see an example office automatically created so you can browse around before creating your own space. 

From your Dashboard, you can jump right into the Example Office to explore, rename it, or create a brand new space.

 

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3. Creating and Customizing Your Space

Now comes the fun part. What sort of space do you want to create? Warm, natural light, clean white spaces, bright, blue skylights – don’t be afraid to look around.

1. Choose Your Architecture: Click the Add a New Space button in the top right of the dashboard and select a layout. You can click on each preset to preview the number of co-working areas, offices, and conference rooms each preset includes.
   1. Virtual Office for work.
   2. Penthouse for hangouts.
   3. Rooftop for networking or events.
   4. Katmaitai Island for fun activities.
   
   
2. Choose Your View: Select a visual setting like London, New York, the Swiss Alps, or Hawaii. Note: Don't worry too much about debating the perfect location, you can change it later! Have you ever wanted an office in London? New York City? What about Hawaii or the Swiss Alps? We dare you not to lose minutes debating the perfect location for your new space. (It’s okay, you can change it later!) Click on the thumbnail for preview images for each location.

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4. Entering the Virtual Office

As you enter the space, you’ll see a prompt to enter your display name and get a look at how you’ll appear on screen. This is also an opportunity to adjust your graphics settings so you can maximize your experience. When you’re ready, click Enter Space.

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5. Navigation and Controls

Moving around is simple: use your arrow keys, or if you prefer, WASD commands.

You can also click where you want to travel to using your mouse, or use the joystick tool on the lower center part of the screen.

You can take in the environment by simply left-clicking your mouse and dragging the cursor around.

And, just for fun, you can jump by pressing the space bar. (Go ahead. You know you want to try it out. We’ll wait.)

Movement Shortcuts

• Keyboard: Use Arrow Keys or WASD to move.

• Mouse: Click where you want to go, or use the joystick tool on screen.

• Look Around: Left-click and drag the cursor to look around.

• Jump: Press Space Bar to jump.

• Exiting a Space: Close the browser or click the Exit Space icon in the toolbar.

Audio & Video Shortcuts

Easily turn off your video and sound feed with these keyboard shortcuts:

• C: Toggle your self-view on/off.
• M: Mute yourself.
• V: Turn your video on/off.
• Z: Set status to "Away" (turns off camera and mutes audio).

Note: In the top right you'll see your avatar with your live video feed, which we call Self View.

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6. Inviting Users and Guests

If you build it, they will come (but you do have to invite them first!). Once you’ve created a space, don’t keep it to yourself—start populating your office.

Users vs. Guests: What’s the difference?

• Users (Team Members): People who need anytime access to the space and more controls.
• Guests (Visitors): People who only need temporary access for meetings, interviews, or presentations (like a client or a speaker).

Part 1: Adding Users (Your Team)

The best way to sign your team up is by inviting them directly through your admin account.

 ⚠️ Important Security Note: All new users must be invited through an existing Admin account. If a user signs up separately without an invite, they will not be able to access your private space.

How to invite users:

1. From your Dashboard, click Manage (top right) and select Users.
2. Click the Add Users button.
3. Enter each user's email address, assign a role, and select the spaces they can access.
   

   1. Optional Bulk Add: If you’re ready to start uploading an entire group of team members, you can upload a CSV file with their email addresses and roles! We even provide a CSV template for you right here.

 

Once invited, they will receive an email. Log in and wait to see them appear—make sure to jump for joy (hit the Space bar) when you spot them!

👉 Pro Tip: Don't forget to assign the specific spaces you want them to access! Otherwise, it's like inviting someone to your building but not letting them past the lobby.

 

Part 2: Inviting Guests (Temporary Visitors)

Katmai grants you full control over guest passes, allowing you to track status, duration, and access levels.

How to create a guest pass:

1. From your Dashboard, click Manage and select Guest Passes.
2. Click New Pass.
3. Enter the guest's details (Name and Email) and set the Date/Time.
   1. Hosting a big event? You can upload a CSV to add a large number of guests at once (just in case you’re throwing a banger of a party!).
4. Delivery: By default, Katmai emails the pass to the guest. Uncheck this box if you prefer to send the link manually.

How to set up a shareable guest pass link: By default, only the person listed on the guest pass will be allowed to use it. If you want to enable your guest to bring guests of their own, check “Shareable guest passes” at the bottom of the New Guest Pass form. This allows anyone with the link to enter—just make sure you trust the recipient before using this option!

Where to find your guest list: In the Guest Passes section of your dashboard, you can view everyone you’ve created passes for.

• Managing Communications: If you chose to send the invite yourself, you can copy the link directly from this list.
  
• Duplicate: Need to re-invite the same person to a new event? Click the Duplicate icon and all of their information will be replicated—just update the date and time and you’ll create a new invite for this guest.
• Deactivate: And if you need to remove a guest's access (sometimes it happens!), simply click Deactivate.

👉 Pro tip: When logged into your Katmai office, hit P on your keyboard and a shortcut to the guest pass will pop up 

That's it - now you're all set to start inviting people into your spaces. 💌

 

Need a guide for folks who are new to Katmai? Send them this handy Katmai Quick Guide.

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7. Keyboard Shortcuts

Need More Help? Contact Katmai support at support@katmaitech.com if needed.