Quick start

The fastest way to use Trailkeep is Quick start on the Start tab. You do not need a GPX file, a planned itinerary, or anything else set up beforehand. You enter a name, choose how long you expect to be out, and tap Go.

What the quick start does

When you tap Go, Trailkeep:

1. Creates a trip with the name and return time you entered
2. Starts the trip and arms return-by monitoring (your promised return date and time)
3. Captures your current location as the trip's starting point (if you grant location permission)
4. Auto-creates a shared trip link for live status and optional Trip Subscribers — separate from overdue alerts (see below)

If the Check-in Timer is enabled in your account, it also starts counting down from your configured check-in window (24 or 36 hours). Manage that optional layer from the timer icon in the card header — not from the Go button.

The Start tab switches from the idle card to the Active trip card, which shows your return countdown and lets you check in throughout the trip.

How to start

Open Trailkeep — the Start tab is the default view.

1. Set your expected return time

The card shows a large Expect me back by countdown (tap the info icon on the kicker for how server monitoring works). Use the Return in duration chips below the hero to choose how long you expect to be out:

• 12h — half-day or evening outing
• 24h — day trip with an overnight buffer
• 2d — weekend trip (default)
• Custom — enter any date and time manually

The date and time update instantly as you tap chips.

2. Name your trip

Type a name in the "Name this trip" field. Your emergency contacts see this name if an overdue alert fires — make it something they will recognise ("Snowdon summit, 4 May" works better than "hike").

Optional: Route GPX

On the quick start lane (not planned trip), you can attach an optional Route GPX file before you tap Go. After you pick a file, Trailkeep shows an approximate moving time for the route (Naismith’s rule from distance and climb, with a modest buffer). That figure is for planning only — it does not include rest stops, and it is not the same as your Return in window, which should allow extra time beyond moving time. When the GPX has no elevation data, climb is estimated for a typical trail (~5% incline).

When attached, the route is processed during the Go click (the button may show Going… a moment longer). Return-by monitoring arms only after the route is saved, so your shared trip link includes the route line from the first copy.

3. Tap Go

A salmon-coloured pill button at the bottom of the card. The trip starts immediately. No confirmation step.

What happens next

Once started, the Start tab shows your active trip card — return-by countdown hero, daily check-in rows, and lifecycle actions (Check in / Adjust return / Finish / Cancel).

Your shared trip link is active from this point. Copy it from the Share control in the card header (next to the Check-in Timer) if you want someone to follow live status or subscribe to day-by-day progress emails — that is separate from the overdue alert emails your emergency contacts receive automatically.

Upgrading to a full planned trip

Quick start creates a simple single-stage trip. You can attach an optional route line for watchers (see above). For a multi-day itinerary with waypoints, gear lists, and collaborative editing, use the Trip Planner instead.

From the Start tab, choose Planned trip, pick your trip, set or confirm dates in the trip calendar, and tap Go. The Trip Planner has its own quick start guide and supports GPX upload and collaborative editing.