---
title: PM Onboarding and Help (preset-scoped checklist + contextual tips)
---

# PM Onboarding and Help (preset-scoped checklist + contextual tips)

## What it is

In-development onboarding checklist and contextual help system for PM users.

Gives PM users preset-scoped onboarding guidance and contextual help through four
surfaces:

- **Onboarding checklist** -- getting-started items filtered to the active G12
  preset (tasks/projects/operations). Manual check-off, dismissible, completion
  persisted via `pmOnboardingComplete`.
- **Setup Checklist board** -- auto-created after onboarding/migration as a real
  MC project in the sidebar (5 items: customize columns, create first item, set
  up automation, try a different view, invite a teammate). Each item has a
  "Start" button that spawns an AI PM session with step-specific guidance. The
  AI PM marks items complete via `POST /pm/setup-checklist/complete-step`.
  Board ID and item map stored in `pmSetupChecklistBoardId` /
  `pmSetupChecklistItemMap`. Creating the board also sets `pmOnboardingComplete`
  to suppress the floating overlay.
- **Contextual help tips** -- per-feature inline HelpCircle popovers with a
  description, tips, and an "Ask AI" button. Individually dismissible via
  `pmDismissedHelpTips` (restorable).
- **Unified help panel** -- a dialog overlay with search, category-grouped
  entries, per-entry and global escape-to-AI.
- **Escape-to-AI** -- one-click "Ask your project manager" that launches a Claude
  session with PM persona instructions (offer to do work, not give steps) and PM
  context (preset, board, feature, error state).

## Where to find it

In-development, gated behind the `pm-onboarding-help` unreleased feature
(`pmOnboardingHelpEnabled`). Requires both the feature flag AND
`missionControlEnabled`.

The checklist is the floating overlay a new PM user sees, the Setup Checklist
board shows up as a real project in the sidebar, the tips appear inline next to
each feature, and the unified help panel opens as a dialog.

## How it behaves

Help content derives FROM `PM_DISCLOSURE_CATALOG` descriptions -- no independent
copy. If the catalog description changes, help content changes automatically.
Search is preset-scoped: a search query only returns entries for the active
preset's features.

## For agents

### Technical details

- Help content in `src/shared/pm-help/pm-help-content.ts` (derived from
  `PM_DISCLOSURE_CATALOG`).
- Renderer hook: `usePmHelp()` in `features/mission-control/help/usePmHelp.ts`.
- Escape prompt builder: `buildEscapePrompt()` in `src/shared/pm-help/pm-escape-context.ts`.
- IPC handlers in `pm-help-handlers.ts`.
- Setup checklist step definitions in `src/shared/pm-help/setup-checklist-items.ts`.
- Setup checklist board creation in `pm-onboarding-board.ts` (`createSetupChecklistBoard()`).
- Setup checklist CLI route in `src/main/services/cli/pm/pm-setup-checklist-routes.ts`.
- Setup checklist board detection via `SetupChecklistContext` in MC plugin web.
- Contract: `pm-onboarding-help-contract.md`.

## Related

This help system belongs to Mission Control, so [mission-control.md](mission-control.md) is the
parent page. [pm-onboarding-features.md](pm-onboarding-features.md) is the sibling onboarding
work aimed at people migrating in from another platform — that one covers the import entry
screen and post-import Home, where this page covers the checklist and the help a PM user gets
afterward. Because both the checklist and the help search are scoped to the active preset,
[pm-feature-profiles.md](pm-feature-profiles.md) explains where those presets come from.