# Create and set up your classroom before day 1

Written by Geeta Thakker
Updated 2026-10-04

Your classroom is attached to the workshop run created on approval. Open **Classroom** from your instructor dashboard, or **Open classroom** from **Manage run**, to prepare it for students; there is no separate classroom creation form.

## Find the classroom attached to the approved cohort

1. Open the approved run and confirm its name and dates.
2. Select **Open classroom**. Its address uses `community.explainx.ai/runs/<slug>`, where the slug identifies that run. Copy the actual address instead of guessing it.
3. Check that you have the teaching controls. If they are missing, ask the team to verify your account and run assignment.

The classroom is private to people with access to the run. See [Find your classroom and teaching channels](/help/articles/navigate-your-classroom) for navigation.

## Give each classroom channel a clear job

The built-in channels are **#general**, **#doubts**, **#prompts**, **#updates**, and a channel for each class day.

1. Use **#general** for introductions and progress, and **#doubts** for questions.
2. Put reusable teaching prompts in **#prompts** and session-specific discussion in the relevant day channel.
3. Keep **#updates** for announcements and automatic class updates.
4. If you need another topic, select **Add channel**, enter a name and optional topic, choose who can post, and select **Create channel**.

Edit names and topics through the channel's pencil or settings control. Built-in channel links remain stable when renamed; a custom channel's address follows its name. Use the new channel names in your welcome post.

**Only instructors can post** restricts new messages, not who can read the channel. Students can still read, react, and reply in threads. **#prompts** and **#updates** always restrict new messages to instructors and admins. Do not use a channel for private staff notes.

## Set up automatic updates and classroom helpers

1. Open **#updates** and check **Auto-updates on/off**. It is on by default and controls future automatic classroom posts about sessions and recordings.
2. Agree who will watch questions and held contributions during teaching.
3. In **Members**, open the chosen student's moderation menu and select **Make moderator**.

Moderators can review held content, pin or delete messages, and moderate ordinary members. This does not give them instructor session editing or channel management. See [classroom moderation](/help/articles/moderate-classroom-messages) and [channel settings](/help/articles/manage-classroom-channels). The auto-updates switch does not control workshop reminder emails.

## Connect the next learning space before invitations

Link a community you own or teach in through the classroom's community controls. A link gives students a destination; it does not automatically add the roster. Follow [Connect your classroom to a community](/help/articles/connect-classroom-communities) or [Bring run students into your communities](/help/articles/connect-run-communities).

## Finish the day-one classroom check

1. Check the session schedule and Zoom details in **Manage run**.
2. Post and pin a welcome message and classroom rules using the [classroom message templates](/help/articles/classroom-teaching-message-templates).
3. Test the first exercise, prompts, and learner-facing resource links.
4. Confirm who handles chat while you [teach the live session](/help/articles/host-live-session-with-classroom).