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

# Quickstart: attach Vanguard and run your first loop

> Get Vanguard running in six steps: open the game, activate your license, attach to the game, switch features on, test in DRY-RUN, then go LIVE.

This quickstart takes you from a fresh Vanguard download to a running loop. You test everything in DRY-RUN first, so nothing reaches the game until you are happy with what Vanguard plans to do.

## Before you start

* Rise of Kingdoms open on the PC client, logged in and sitting in your city.
* Your license key (it starts with `ROK-`).

## Set up Vanguard

**1. Run Vanguard as administrator**

Start Vanguard (`vanguard.exe`) and approve the Windows prompt, or right-click it and choose **Run as administrator**. Vanguard needs this to connect to the game.

**2. Activate your license**

Open **License** in the sidebar, paste your key and press **Activate**. See [License](/vanguard/getting-started/license).

**3. Attach to the game**

Press **Attach to game** at the bottom of the sidebar. The dot turns green and the **Overview** page fills with live data. Only one copy of Vanguard can be attached to a game at a time.

**4. Switch features on**

Go to **Chores**, **Military**, **Dailies** and **Gather** and turn on the cards you want with their switch. Press **Settings ▾** on a card to change its options.

**5. Test in DRY-RUN**

Click the **DRY-RUN / LIVE** pill so it reads **DRY-RUN**, then press **Run All Now**. Open **Activity Log**: lines marked **dry-run** show what Vanguard would have done.

**6. Go LIVE**

Click the pill back to **LIVE**, then press **Start Loop**. Vanguard now runs each switched-on feature on its own timer.

## Stopping

* **Stop** ends the loop as soon as the chore that is running finishes.
* **Detach**, or closing the window, disconnects from the game cleanly.

## Top bar at a glance

| Control | What it does |
| - | - |
| **DRY-RUN** / **LIVE** pill | Switches between planning only and sending actions. Takes effect at once, even mid-loop. |
| **Run All Now** | Runs every switched-on feature once. |
| **Start Loop** | Runs features on their timers until you press **Stop**. |
| **Stop** | Ends the loop once the running chore finishes. |

> [!TIP]
>
> Switching a feature on or off applies straight away, even while the loop runs. Other setting changes apply on the next pass.

## Next steps

> **[The Vanguard window](/vanguard/app/overview)**
>
> Every page and button explained.

> **[Staying safe](/vanguard/help/safety)**
>
> Set pacing and rest hours before you leave it running.


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