# Sign in

How sign-in works across the web app and the design apps.

Sign in to the Mestra web app with an emailed link, Google or Microsoft. Connect InDesign and Figma by approving them in your browser. There are no passwords.

> **Before you start:**
>
> - You need a Mestra account. If you don't have one, [start a free trial](https://withmestra.com/docs/trial/) or ask your organisation's owner for an invite.
> - Only an editor or an owner can connect a design app. A viewer can sign in to the web app but can't connect an app.

## Sign in to the web app

1. Go to [app.withmestra.com](https://app.withmestra.com/). If you are signed out, the **Sign in to Mestra** screen opens.
2. Choose how to sign in:
   - Enter your email in **Email** and press **Email me a sign-in link**.
   - Or press **Continue with Google** or **Continue with Microsoft**.
3. If you asked for a link, open it from your email. It works once, for 15 minutes.
4. If you belong to more than one organisation, pick one on **Choose organisation**.

Two things to know about the buttons:

- **Google** works with any Google account whose email Google reports as verified.
- **Microsoft** works with work and school accounts only. Personal Microsoft accounts can't sign in.

The provider's email must match an existing member or an open invite. Signing in with a provider never creates an organisation on its own.

## Sign in to a design app

For InDesign and Figma:

1. In the Mestra plugin, press **Sign in**.
2. The plugin shows **Your code** and opens your browser at the Mestra connect page.
3. Choose your organisation and press **Allow**.
4. The plugin shows "Signed in as" with your name and organisation.

The code lasts 10 minutes. If the browser doesn't open, the plugin shows a link to open yourself.

Canva works differently. An owner links the Canva team to Mestra once, using **Link to Mestra** in the app. Each person can then press **Sign in** so their runs carry their name. One Canva team links to one organisation.

Each design app has its own install page: [InDesign](https://withmestra.com/docs/install/indesign/), [Figma](https://withmestra.com/docs/install/figma/) and [Canva](https://withmestra.com/docs/install/canva/).

## Stay signed in, and sign out

A web session ends after 7 days without use, or 30 days at most.

To sign out, open the account menu and choose **Sign out**. The **Account** page, also in that menu, lets you:

- Press **Sign out everywhere**, then **Yes, sign out everywhere**.
- See your **Sessions** and press **Revoke** on any device.
- Press **Remove** under **Sign-in methods** to remove a sign-in method. Use **Allow again** to bring it back.

In a design app, press **Sign out** in the plugin. Owners can also sign people out of apps on the **Apps** page.

## If something goes wrong

| What you see                                                                                                            | Why                                                     | What to do                                                          |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "This link has expired or was already used. Ask for a new one."                                                         | The link is older than 15 minutes, or you have used it. | Go back to sign in and ask for a new link.                          |
| "We couldn't find a Mestra account for that email. Start a free trial, or ask your organisation's owner for an invite." | No account uses that email.                             | Start a free trial, or ask your organisation's owner for an invite. |
| "Personal Microsoft accounts can't sign in. Use your work account or an email link."                                    | Microsoft sign-in is for work and school accounts only. | Use your work account, or an email link.                            |
| "Your provider hasn't verified that email address. Use an email link instead."                                          | Google or Microsoft didn't confirm your email.          | Use an email link.                                                  |
| "That sign-in method was removed from your account. Use an email link, then allow it again from Account."               | You removed it on the **Account** page.                 | Use an email link, then choose **Allow again** on **Account**.      |
| "Too many sign-in emails from here. Try again in an hour."                                                              | Too many requests from your network.                    | Wait an hour, then try again.                                       |
| "This organisation is disabled. Email <support@withmestra.com>."                                                        | The organisation has been disabled.                     | [Contact support](https://withmestra.com/docs/support/).            |
| The plugin says "The code expired. Sign in again."                                                                      | You took more than 10 minutes to approve.               | Press **Sign in** again.                                            |
| "Your role (viewer) can't connect apps."                                                                                | Viewers can't connect design apps.                      | Ask an owner to make you an editor.                                 |

More fixes are on the [Troubleshooting](https://withmestra.com/docs/troubleshooting/) page.

## What's next

- [Invite your team](https://withmestra.com/docs/how-to/invite-your-team/)
- [Install a design app](https://withmestra.com/docs/install/indesign/)
- [Security summary](https://withmestra.com/docs/account/security/)