There are two ways to begin your automation journey 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.

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. We use a structured format to ensure all requests follow the same clear and consistent layout. This makes it easier for suppliers to quickly understand your needs and provide accurate proposals.

Once your request is ready, you can choose how to proceed:

• Save as draft: Keep your request private without using a credit. Drafts are stored in your dashboard, where you can continue editing and send them for publishing at any time.
• Send to publish: Submit your request for review immediately. A credit will be automatically allocated, and your request will move forward in the process.

You can create or complete your request in two ways:

• Self-Guided: Create your request with AI guidance or complete it manually. You stay in full control of the content and details.
• Expert-Assisted: Our team can help structure your request based on your input. You’ll always have the final approval before anything is published. Read more about our extra services: here.

If you choose to send your request for publishing, it will go through a basic platform review to ensure it meets our guidelines.

• Self-Guided: Your request is checked for guideline compliance before publication. You can still make adjustments if needed.
• Expert-Assisted: You’ll receive a draft prepared based on your input and can review, adjust, and approve it before it is published.

Draft requests remain private and are not reviewed until you decide to send them for publishing.

When you choose to send a request for publishing, one credit is automatically allocated from your subscription.

One credit equals one automation project. Credits are only used when a request is sent for publishing - not when saved as a draft.

• Draft requests do not use credits and can be edited at any time.
• You can only send a request for publishing if you have available credits.

Once submitted, your request moves forward for review and publication.

After approval and credit allocation, your request is published on the platform.

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

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Click to view request example

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.

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Click to view interest example

Once suppliers are approved, they can ask questions directly on the platform to better understand your requirements.

• You’ll receive notifications when new questions are posted.
• You can respond as questions come in — there’s no need to wait.
• There is a brief closing window before the BQ deadline during which new questions are no longer accepted, but you will still have time to finalize any outstanding answers.

Pro tip: Suppliers can still express interest and join your project at any point. This gives you the best chance to receive more competitive budgetary quotes.

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

All answers are shared anonymously with all approved suppliers, ensuring equal access to information before they prepare their quotes.

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Click to view Q&A example

Approved suppliers can submit budgetary quotes (BQs) directly on the platform. Each project has a specific BQ deadline visible to all participants.

• BQs are high-level, rough estimates — not final or binding quotes.
• After a BQ is submitted, the supplier can request your contact details through the platform — you will be notified and can choose whether to share them.

Suppliers submit their budgetary quotes through a structured format, ensuring consistency across all proposals.

This makes it easy to compare quotes side by side and helps you evaluate key differences in scope, pricing, and approach — making your decision process more efficient and transparent.

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Click to view budgetary quote example

After receiving budgetary quotes, the next step is to move toward firm quotes - the ultimate goal of creating your request.

We continue to support you by helping review the received proposals and providing feedback to assist you in narrowing down the suppliers you wish to invite for firm quotations.

Firm quotes provide the detailed scope, pricing, and commercial terms needed to make a confident final decision. Throughout this stage, you remain in control, and we are here to support you as needed.