---
title: First Launch
description: Learn what happens when you first launch WaypointAds in Joomla, explore the optional Learning Example and prepare your advertising system from the Dashboard.
canonical_url: https://waypointads.com/getting-started/first-launch
language: en-GB
date: 2026-09-04T02:11:15Z
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markdown-tokens: 1245
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> **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://waypointads.com/getting-started/first-launch. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content.
> **Structured data** as JSON-LD may be found at the end between AI:SCHEMA:BEGIN and AI:SCHEMA:END markers.
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Applies To: **Core & Commercial** Version: 1.0.x

---

### Opening WaypointAds for the First Time

After installing WaypointAds, open it from the Joomla Administrator menu.

On your first visit, WaypointAds presents the option to install the Learning Example before continuing to the main Dashboard.

The Learning Example is optional. You may install it to explore a working advertising setup, or continue without it and begin creating your own advertisers, campaigns, creatives, and zones.

### What Is the Learning Example?

The Learning Example creates sample advertising information that demonstrates how the main parts of WaypointAds work together.

It allows you to examine a ready-made setup rather than beginning with an entirely empty extension. This can make it easier to understand the relationship between:

1. Advertisers
2. Campaigns
3. Creatives
4. Zones
 
The example is intended for learning and testing. It is not required for normal operation.

### Installing the Learning Example

Choose the option to install the Learning Example from the first-launch screen.

WaypointAds will create the sample information and prepare it for you to explore. Once the process is complete, you can continue to the Dashboard and review the example through the normal WaypointAds managers.

You are free to edit the sample records, inspect their settings, and see how an advertisement moves from an advertiser to a campaign, creative, and display zone.

### Continuing Without the Example

You may also choose to continue without installing the Learning Example.

This takes you into WaypointAds with a clean advertising system, ready for your own information. This is a good choice if you are already comfortable with the basic workflow or prefer to build your setup from the beginning.

Nothing is lost by skipping the example. It can be installed later from the Learning Example management area if you decide you would like to use it.

### Managing the Learning Example

The Learning Example can be managed after installation.

Depending on its current state, WaypointAds allows you to:

1. Create the example
2. Learn from the sample setup
3. Reset it to its original condition
4. Remove it when it is no longer needed
 
Resetting the example restores the sample information, which is useful if you have changed it while experimenting and would like to begin again.

Removing the example deletes the sample records without affecting your own advertising information.

### Moving On to the Dashboard

After choosing whether to install the Learning Example, you can continue to the WaypointAds Dashboard.

The Dashboard provides an overview of your advertising system and quick access to the main management areas. From there, you can begin exploring the example or create your first advertiser and campaign.

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