# DrawSplat™ — Setup

**Current documentation:** [DrawSplat Wiki](https://drawsplat.org/wiki/) — setup, installation, licensing, pricing, OAuth, and district privacy review.


DrawSplat is an ecosystem of standalone tools, widgets, games, SplatWorks, and the whiteboard. [Explore features by category](../wiki/tools-widgets-features.html). The complete district installation deploys the suite; the browser-only, Apps Script, and separate MySQL guides below describe particular usage or saving paths. Components keep their own storage and optional integrations.

Pick the scenario that matches what you're trying to do. Each one is its own focused doc — no need to read the others.

## Which one are you?

| If you want… | Use this | Roughly how long |
|---|---|---|
| A single-user / projector / "just let me draw" deployment with no accounts and no backend. | [**Browser-only**](setup-browser.md) | 1 minute |
| Cloud saves to Google Drive + Sheets, classroom collaboration rooms, student turn-ins, the full Compliance Console, parent request center.  | [**Google Apps Script**](setup-google-apps-script.md) | 10–15 minutes |
| A complete self-hosted district suite with MariaDB/MySQL saving, school accounts, classrooms, assignments, and turn-ins. | [**District installation (Docker or native)**](district-selfhost.html) | Depends on server preparation |
| Private account-owned online Save/Open using a separately hosted saving API. | [**MySQL backend**](setup-mysql.md) | Depends on hosting |

## Common follow-ups after setup

| You want to… | Read this |
|---|---|
| Configure compliance features (Activity Records, Age Band Lock, Family Access Tools, retention, time limits). | [`COMPLIANCE.md`](COMPLIANCE.md) |
| See the architecture roadmap (what's done, what's parked, what's deferred). | [`../COMPLIANCE-ROADMAP.md`](../COMPLIANCE-ROADMAP.md) |

## Three modes side-by-side

If you're not sure which scenario fits, here's the same picture from a different angle:

| Capability | Browser-only | Apps Script | MySQL connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drawing, device autosave, file/snapshot export | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-device Save/Open | No | Yes | Yes, signed-in account’s private boards |
| Automatic shared-room sync | No | Yes | Not connected |
| Student turn-in and teacher review | No | Yes | Yes, with district rosters and classroom membership |
| Cloud reusable template galleries / moderation | No | Yes | Not connected |
| Classroom Compliance Console and family workflow | No | Yes | Advanced backend modules require separate validation |
| Recording notes and device-local draft recovery | Yes | Yes | Yes; added notes are included in saved board JSON |
| Infrastructure to operate | None | Your Google deployment | Node.js 22 API + MySQL 8 + HTTPS |
| Software cost | Free | Free | Free; hosting/storage billed by your provider |

The MySQL setup wizard tests the API’s `private-boards-v1` capability before enabling
it. On a district installation, use your roster-linked school account, then use **File → Save online / Open online board**.
Student accounts must be school-provisioned. A student launch link configures saving;
it does not share the teacher’s board. See [the hosting guide](setup-mysql.md).

Switching providers does not migrate existing work or enable simultaneous saving to
both providers. Keep **Save File** backups. MySQL private boards retain their current
copy until deleted; browser timed sessions and recording drafts have separate expiry.
The published site needs a separately deployed API/database to use MySQL saving.

## The free-pricing posture

DrawSplat™ is free under AGPL-3.0-or-later. Every mode above costs $0 in software. If your district wants paid **setup, professional learning, or compliance review**, that's a separate service — see [pricing](../pages/pricing.html). Otherwise, pick a setup doc above and you're done.