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

# Quick Start Guide

> Get started with Monkeytype in under a minute

# Quick Start Guide

Get started with Monkeytype and take your first typing test in just a few simple steps. No account required to begin!

## Taking Your First Test

<Steps>
  <Step title="Visit Monkeytype">
    Navigate to [monkeytype.com](https://monkeytype.com) in your web browser. The site will load with a clean, minimalist interface showing the typing test area.

    <Note>
      Monkeytype works best on desktop browsers. While mobile support exists, typing tests are optimized for keyboard input.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Test Settings">
    Before starting, you can customize your test using the options at the top of the page:

    * **Mode**: Select between `time`, `words`, `quote`, `zen`, or `custom`
    * **Duration/Count**: Choose test length (e.g., 15s, 30s, 60s for time mode or 10, 25, 50, 100 for words mode)
    * **Language**: Pick from numerous supported languages (default is English)
    * **Punctuation**: Toggle punctuation marks in the test text
    * **Numbers**: Toggle numbers in the test text

    The default settings (15 seconds, English, no punctuation/numbers) are perfect for beginners.

    <Tip>
      For your first test, stick with the default settings: **15 seconds** in **English** without punctuation or numbers.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Typing">
    Simply click on the typing area or start typing to begin the test immediately. You'll see:

    * **White text**: Words you need to type
    * **Timer**: Countdown showing remaining time (top-right)
    * **Live WPM**: Your current words per minute (top-right)
    * **Live Accuracy**: Your typing accuracy percentage (top-right)

    As you type:

    * Correct characters appear in white
    * Incorrect characters appear in red
    * Extra characters are highlighted
    * The active character has a blinking caret

    <Note>
      The test starts automatically when you begin typing. No need to click a "Start" button.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the Test">
    Keep typing until the timer runs out (or until you've typed all the words in words mode). The test will automatically end and show your results.

    **During the test**, you can:

    * Press `Backspace` to correct mistakes
    * Press `Tab` or `Esc` to restart the test (if quick restart is enabled)
    * Press `Ctrl + Shift + P` to pause (creates a pause screen overlay)

    <Warning>
      Some funbox modes like "no\_quit" prevent you from restarting the test until completion.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="View Your Results">
    After completing the test, you'll see a detailed results screen showing:

    * **WPM (Words Per Minute)**: Your typing speed
    * **Accuracy**: Percentage of correctly typed characters
    * **Raw WPM**: Speed including errors
    * **Consistency**: How steady your typing speed was throughout the test
    * **Character Stats**: Correct, incorrect, extra, and missed characters
    * **Time Typing**: Total time spent typing (excluding pauses)

    You'll also see a graph showing your WPM over time and detailed character-by-character breakdown.

    <Tip>
      Your results are saved locally in your browser, but creating an account lets you track progress across devices and compete on leaderboards.
    </Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Creating an Account (Optional)

While you can use Monkeytype without an account, creating one unlocks powerful features:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click the Account Icon">
    Click the account icon in the top-right corner of the page, or press `Ctrl + Shift + A` to open the account menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign Up">
    Choose your preferred authentication method:

    * Email and password
    * Google account
    * GitHub account

    Follow the prompts to create your account through Firebase Authentication.

    <Note>
      Email verification may be required depending on your chosen authentication method.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sync Your Settings">
    Once logged in, your test results and settings will automatically sync to your account. You can now:

    * Access your typing history
    * Track progress over time
    * Compete on leaderboards
    * Save custom themes and presets
    * Join challenges
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Keyboard Shortcuts

Monkeytype includes numerous keyboard shortcuts to enhance your experience:

| Shortcut           | Action                       |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------- |
| `Tab` or `Esc`     | Quick restart (when enabled) |
| `Ctrl + Shift + P` | Toggle command palette       |
| `Ctrl + Shift + A` | Open account menu            |
| `Ctrl + Shift + T` | Toggle theme                 |
| `Ctrl + Shift + C` | Open configuration           |
| `Ctrl + Shift + K` | Toggle keyboard display      |

<Tip>
  Press `?` or access the command palette to see all available keyboard shortcuts and commands.
</Tip>

## Customizing Your Experience

After taking your first test, explore these customization options:

### Change Theme

1. Click the theme button (bottom-right) or press `Ctrl + Shift + T`
2. Browse through 400+ available themes
3. Preview themes in real-time
4. Favorite themes for quick access
5. Create custom themes with your own colors

### Adjust Test Settings

Click the settings icon or press `Ctrl + Shift + C` to access:

* **Caret Style**: Choose from default, block, outline, underline, or fun options (carrot, banana, monkey)
* **Smooth Caret**: Set caret animation speed (off, slow, medium, fast)
* **Confidence Mode**: Hide previous words as you type
* **Stop on Error**: Prevent progression until errors are corrected
* **Quick Restart**: Set restart key preference (off, esc, tab, enter)
* **Sound Effects**: Enable typing sounds and error alerts
* **Font**: Choose from numerous font options

### Try Different Modes

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Time Mode" icon="clock">
    Test your speed for a specific duration. Great for consistent benchmarking.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Words Mode" icon="font">
    Type a set number of words. Perfect for short, focused practice sessions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quote Mode" icon="quote-left">
    Practice with real quotes from books, movies, and famous speeches.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Zen Mode" icon="om">
    Type freely without limits. Ideal for warming up or stress-free practice.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Explore Features" icon="compass" href="/features">
    Discover all the features Monkeytype offers, from funbox modes to detailed analytics.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Join the Community" icon="users" href="https://discord.gg/monkeytype">
    Connect with other typists on Discord to share tips and participate in challenges.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Documentation" icon="code" href="/api-reference">
    Learn how to integrate Monkeytype data into your own applications.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contribute" icon="code-branch" href="/development">
    Help improve Monkeytype by contributing themes, features, or bug fixes.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Common Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is a good WPM for beginners?">
    Average typing speed is around 40 WPM. Beginners typically score 20-40 WPM, while experienced typists can reach 60-80 WPM. Professional typists often exceed 100 WPM.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my WPM vary between tests?">
    WPM naturally varies based on text difficulty, familiarity with words, punctuation/numbers, and current focus. Consistency improves with practice.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I look at the keyboard while typing?">
    Touch typing (typing without looking at the keyboard) is generally faster and more efficient. Monkeytype's real-time feedback helps you learn touch typing naturally.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How are personal bests calculated?">
    Personal bests (PBs) are tracked separately for each combination of mode, duration/word count, language, difficulty, and punctuation/numbers settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to correct all mistakes?">
    Not by default. You can enable "Stop on Error" mode if you want to be forced to correct mistakes before continuing.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  Practice regularly in short sessions (5-10 minutes) rather than long sessions. Consistency is key to improving your typing speed!
</Tip>