There are two ways to begin on HowToRobot - choose what fits you best:

• Start with our AI tool: Use our AI-powered assistant to describe your automation need and create a request. Once your request is ready, you’ll be asked to create an account to continue.
• Create an account directly: Prefer to explore first? You can sign up on HowToRobot and get access to the platform right away.

Either way, you’ll end up with an account that lets you manage projects, suppliers, and budgetary quotes in one place.

After creating an account, you’ll select a subscription that matches your sourcing needs.

Your plan determines how many automation projects you can run per year. One project equals one credit.

Subscriptions are available in USD, EUR, and GBP.

• Up to 3 projects per year – from $149 / month
• Up to 10 projects per year – from $399 / month

You can see all plans and prices across all currencies on our pricing page. [Link to pricing page]

If you haven’t already created a request using our AI tool, this is where you do it. If you have already created a request earlier, you’ll continue from that point here.

A request describes your automation need so suppliers can clearly understand your project and decide whether it’s a good fit.

You can create or complete your request in two ways:

• Self-Guided: Create and submit your request directly on the platform. You’ll be guided through a structured form that helps you define your application, requirements, and expectations.
• Expert-Assisted: Prefer support? Our team can create the request on your behalf based on your input and ensure everything is clearly defined. You’ll always have the final say before anything is published.

Before anything is shared with suppliers, your request is reviewed to ensure clarity and quality.

• Self-Guided: Our engineering team reviews your request to make sure all key details are in place.
• Expert-Assisted: You’ll receive a draft created by our team and can review and approve it at your own pace.

Nothing is published at this stage. This step is about setting your project up for success.

Once your request has been approved, you decide when it goes live.

To publish a request, you’ll need to allocate one credit from your subscription. Each credit represents one automation project and can only be used once.

• Credit allocation is done directly from your dashboard.
• You stay in full control of which approved request gets published and when.

[Link to dashboard]

As soon as an approved request has a credit allocated, it is published on the platform.

After a credit is allocated, your request is published on the platform.

• Relevant suppliers are notified by email about the new opportunity.
• Your request becomes visible to suppliers on HowToRobot.
• Suppliers can express interest by answering a few simple yes/no questions related to your request.

As suppliers respond, you decide who moves forward.

• Review each supplier's expression of interest.
• Approve or decline suppliers individually.

If you’re using the Expert-Assisted option, our team can support you in reviewing responses and deciding which suppliers to approve.

The Q&A phase is a fixed step in the process and should be planned carefully.

• Ideally, once three suppliers are approved, you’ll schedule the Q&A to start within 1–3 business days.
• If fewer than three suppliers are approved, you can still start the Q&A immediately or schedule it to begin in 3 business days.

Once scheduled, the Q&A cannot be rescheduled, and there is no second round. Choosing the right start time is important to ensure availability and alignment.

During the Q&A phase, suppliers can ask questions to better understand your requirements.

• The inbound Q&A lasts 3 or 5 business days, based on your choice.
• You’ll receive daily notifications when new questions are posted.
• You can respond as questions come in — there’s no need to wait until the inbound period ends.
• After the inbound period closes, you have 5 business days to finalize all answers.

If you’re using the Expert-Assisted option, our team can help you manage and respond to questions throughout the Q&A.

Once the Q&A is complete, approved suppliers can submit budgetary quotes (BQs).

• BQs are high-level, rough estimates — not final or binding quotes.
• We recommend submitting BQs within 14 business days after the Q&A ends.
• When a BQ is submitted, the supplier receives your contact details.