## How to start

If you use the Cognigy Voice Gateway Self-Service Portal for the first time, ensure that you have completed the steps in the [Getting Started guide](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/getting-started). Once you have completed the guide, proceed with the following steps:

1. Identify the [user scope](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/users) you have or add a new user. The operations that you can perform in Voice Gateway are based on your user scope, such as Admin, Service Provider, or Account.
2. Create an [account](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/accounts) or use an existing one.
3. Create an [application](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/applications) or use an existing one.
4. Add a [new carrier](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/carriers) or use an existing one.
5. Add a [phone number](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/phone-numbers) or use an existing one.
6. Add [speech provider credentials](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/speech-services) or use existing ones.

Additionally, you can:

- Check [recent calls](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/recent-calls) and view all information about the call.
- Check [alerts](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/alerts) if something went wrong with call configuration.
- Configure [outbound call routing](https://docs.cognigy.com/voice-gateway/webapp/outbound-call-routing).

Last modified on April 29, 2026.