Getting Started Basics
The first questions every new Papyrus user asks — what it is, what it costs, how long it takes to set up, and where to begin.
Getting Started Basics
What is Papyrus.io?
Papyrus is an AI-native document management system. You upload documents — invoices, contracts, employee files, reports — and Papyrus automatically classifies them, extracts metadata, makes them searchable (by keyword and meaning), and routes them through workflows. Built for Kenyan and Pan-African enterprises with localised compliance, M-Pesa billing, and bilingual English/Swahili support.
How long does it take to set up?
A working tenant in 15 minutes: sign up at /register, confirm your email, invite your first 1-3 colleagues. A productive tenant in 1-2 weeks: define your folder structure, train AI on a few hundred documents, configure your first workflow template. Full enterprise rollouts typically span 3-6 months.
What plans are available?
Free, Starter, Business, and Enterprise. The Free plan is genuinely free forever (with limits). See /resources/faqs/billing-plans for plan details.
Do I need to install anything?
No, the web app works in any modern browser. Optional components: the Desktop Upload Agent (Windows), the Mobile App (Android/iOS), and the M-Pesa / Stripe billing connectors are configured by admins, not installed by users.
Where do I start?
Once signed in:
- Read Welcome to Papyrus — A 5-Minute Tour
- Upload a few documents from Uploading Your First Document
- Try the Copilot (sparkles button, bottom-right) — ask it a question about your documents
- Invite a colleague and try the comments/@mention flow
What if I get stuck?
The Copilot can answer specific questions about your tenant. The wider Resources hub covers everything else. For paying customers, support is available in-app via the Help menu.
Is there a demo or sandbox?
Yes. Sign up for Free; you get a fully functional tenant with sample data. No credit card required. Upgrade later or stay on Free indefinitely.
Can I import my old documents?
Yes — via bulk upload (drag-and-drop up to 2GB per batch), the Desktop Upload Agent (auto-uploads any folder), or for very large migrations, a one-time scanning bureau partnership we can recommend.