---
title: "Getting Started With the AI Website Builder · Mousepad Help"
description: "What Mousepad is, what you can build, what happens after you describe your idea, and whether it is free to start. Short answers for people new to it."
url: "https://mousepad.app/help/getting-started"
---

# Getting started

What Mousepad is, what you can build, what happens after you describe your idea, and whether it is free to start. Short answers for people new to it.

Updated October 29, 2026

**What is Mousepad?**

Mousepad is an AI website and app builder for small businesses. Describe what you need in a sentence, and it builds a real site or app with pages, sign-in, saved information, and online payments, ready to publish on your own domain.

**Do I need to know design or code?**

No. Describe your business in plain words, and change anything by asking in the chat. Every change is saved as a version you can go back to.

**What can I build?**

Business websites, online booking, quote requests, order forms with pickup or delivery, client portals, and class or event sign-ups, along with the staff pages behind them.

**What happens after I type my idea?**

Create a free account and your idea is kept. Mousepad may ask a few short questions, then builds your app while you watch, usually in a few minutes. Nothing goes live until you publish.

**Is it free to start?**

Yes. Free gives you 20 credits when you start each month, up to 50 a month, and room to publish 2 Basic sites. Plus and Pro add more credits, always-on sites, and your own domain.

**Can I build an app that handles patient health information?**

No. Mousepad is for everyday business information, not patient records.

Email [support@mousepad.app](mailto:support@mousepad.app) for anything else. Plus includes email support and Pro includes priority email support. The [guides](https://mousepad.app/guides) walk through publishing, domains, bookings and payments step by step.

## Other topics

- [Building and changing](https://mousepad.app/help/building)
- [Publishing and domains](https://mousepad.app/help/publishing)
- [Plans and billing](https://mousepad.app/help/billing)
- [Account and help](https://mousepad.app/help/account)

## Build it with Mousepad

Describe your business and Mousepad builds the site, then you publish it when you are ready.

[Try Mousepad free](https://mousepad.app/signup)

## Product

- [Features](https://mousepad.app/features)
- [How it works](https://mousepad.app/how-it-works)
- [Website builder](https://mousepad.app/website-builder)
- [Business apps](https://mousepad.app/business-apps)
- [Booking and scheduling](https://mousepad.app/booking-and-scheduling)
- [CRM and client portals](https://mousepad.app/crm-and-client-portals)
- [AI assistants](https://mousepad.app/ai-assistants)
- [AI SEO and growth](https://mousepad.app/ai-seo)
- [Hosting and domains](https://mousepad.app/hosting-and-domains)

## Use cases

- [Restaurants and cafés](https://mousepad.app/use-cases/restaurants)
- [Salons and beauty](https://mousepad.app/use-cases/salons)
- [Contractors](https://mousepad.app/use-cases/contractors)
- [Home services](https://mousepad.app/use-cases/home-services)
- [Fitness studios](https://mousepad.app/use-cases/fitness)
- [Freelancers and agencies](https://mousepad.app/agencies)
- [Create together](https://mousepad.app/collaborate)
- [All use cases](https://mousepad.app/use-cases)

## Resources

- [Documentation](https://mousepad.app/docs)
- [Compare builders](https://mousepad.app/blog)
- [Templates](https://mousepad.app/templates)
- [Guides](https://mousepad.app/guides)
- [Developer docs](https://mousepad.app/docs/agents)
- [Help center](https://mousepad.app/help)
- [Changelog](https://mousepad.app/changelog)
- [Referral program](https://mousepad.app/referrals)