# Instant Onboarding

Wire lets you start using a container immediately. No account needed, no signup form, no waiting. Create a container from the Wire dashboard and get a fully functional ephemeral container in seconds. When you're ready to keep it, claim it with one tool call.

## How It Works

1. **Create a container.** Visit Wire and click **Get Started**. After a quick verification, you get a container. No account needed.
2. **Connect and use it.** Copy the MCP URL from your container page and add it to your AI tool. Upload files, write entries, and query context.
3. **Claim it when you're ready.** Call `wire_claim` to get a link. Sign up or log in, and the container moves into your account permanently.

Ephemeral containers are fully functional. The only difference is they expire after **7 days** if unclaimed.

## Getting Started

Visit [usewire.io](https://usewire.io) and click **Get Started**. After verification, Wire creates a container and takes you directly to it.

From your container page, copy the MCP URL and connect your AI tool.

### Claude Code

<PersonalizedCode
  client:load
  code="claude mcp add --transport http YOUR_CONTAINER_NAME https://YOUR_ORG_SLUG.mcp.usewire.io/container/YOUR_CONTAINER_ID/mcp"
/>

When you first use a Wire tool, your browser will open to authorize access.

See [MCP Connect](/mcp/overview/) for setup instructions for Claude Desktop, Cursor, Cline, and other clients.

## Using Your Ephemeral Container

Work with the container exactly as you would a permanent one:

- **Write context**: Ask your agent to save anything. Notes, meeting summaries, research, structured data.
- **Upload files**: Upload documents directly from your container page
- **Explore**: Use `wire_explore` to discover entity types, fields, and relationships
- **Query**: Search and retrieve context using `wire_search`
- **Navigate**: Pull adjacent chunks, the full source, or related entries with `wire_navigate`

## Claiming Your Container

When you're ready to keep the container permanently, ask your agent to claim it:

```
I want to keep this container. Can you generate a claim link?
```

The agent calls `wire_claim` and returns a URL. Open it in your browser to:

1. **Sign up** with Google or email if you're new to Wire
2. **Log in** if you already have an account

### Existing Users

If you already have a Wire organization, the claim flow lets you choose where the container goes:

- **Add to an existing organization.** Select from your orgs and the container migrates there.
- **Create a new organization.** Set up a fresh org for the container.

### What Happens During Claiming

- Your container and all its data (entries, files, tools) are preserved
- The ephemeral session is replaced with your permanent account

:::caution[MCP URL Changes]
If you add the container to an existing organization, the MCP URL will change to use that organization's slug. You'll need to update your MCP client configuration. See [Moving Containers](/guides/moving-containers/) for details.
:::

## Limits

| Limit | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Container lifetime | 7 days from creation |
| Starter credits | {STARTER_GRANT_CREDITS.toLocaleString()} |
| Containers per anonymous session | 1 |

Ephemeral containers receive starter credits. Once those credits are spent, analysis is blocked until the container is claimed and moved to an organization with a funded balance.

See [Limits](/reference/limits/) for the full reference.

:::caution[Claim before expiry]
Ephemeral containers are automatically deleted after 7 days. Make sure to claim yours before then. There is no way to recover an expired ephemeral container.
:::

## FAQ

### Can I create multiple ephemeral containers?

Each anonymous session supports one container. To create more, claim your current container first, then create additional containers from your dashboard.

### What if my claim link expires?

Claim links are short-lived. Call `wire_claim` again to generate a fresh one. You can generate as many claim links as you need within the 7-day container lifetime.

### Does claiming change my MCP URL?

If you add the container to an existing organization, the MCP URL will change to use that organization's slug. If you create a new organization, the URL updates to use the new org's slug. Either way, you'll need to update your MCP client configuration.

### Can I use the dashboard with an ephemeral container?

Yes. After creating your container, you're taken directly to the container page where you can upload files, view entries, and manage settings.