Launch your course with the checklist
Launch your course with the checklist
In this article: How to use the built-in launch checklist inside every Ruzuku course to move from setup to open enrollment, one step at a time.
All Plans
Every new course in Ruzuku comes with a built-in launch checklist pinned to the top of the course. It walks you through each setup step so you don't have to guess what's next or worry about forgetting something.
The checklist appears as "Your quick launch guide" and contains 12 steps. Some are required before you can open enrollment. Others are optional and can be skipped or returned to later.
You don't need to complete everything in one sitting. The checklist saves your progress automatically. Come back whenever you're ready and pick up where you left off.
Where to Find the Checklist
Open any course you've created. The launch checklist appears at the top of the course view, labeled "Your quick launch guide." Each step shows its status: completed, in progress, or not yet started.
Once you've completed all required steps, the checklist collapses and stays out of your way.
The 12 Checklist Steps
Here's what each step covers and what you need to know about it.
Step 1: Getting Started with Ruzuku
Optional -- skip if you're already familiar with the platform.
A brief orientation to Ruzuku's interface. If you've already explored the platform or read the Quick Start Guide, you can skip this step without affecting your launch.
Step 2: Control the Pace of Your Course
Choose your course's access format. This determines how students receive your content:
- Full Access -- Students see all content the moment they enroll. Best for self-paced courses.
- Calendar-Based Release Dates -- Modules unlock on specific calendar dates. Best for cohort-based courses with a fixed start date.
- Individual Release Dates -- Modules unlock a set number of days after each student enrolls. Best for evergreen courses that drip content on a rolling schedule.
Pick the format that matches how you want students to experience your material. You can change this later in Course Settings.
For a deeper look at each option, see Choose the Right Course Type.
Step 3: Create Your First Module
Modules are the main sections of your course -- think of them as chapters. This step walks you through creating your first one.
Give your module a clear name that tells students what they'll learn or accomplish in that section. For example: "Week 1: Setting Up Your Foundation" or "Module 1: Core Concepts."
For full details, see Create a Module.
Step 4: Add Your First Lesson
Lessons live inside modules. Each lesson can contain text, video, audio, files, discussion prompts, and assignments.
This step prompts you to create at least one lesson so your course has content for students to engage with. You can always add more lessons later.
For full details, see Create a Lesson.
Step 5: Create a Meeting
Optional -- skip if your course doesn't include live sessions.
Ruzuku has built-in video meetings, and you can also connect Zoom. If your course includes live calls, webinars, or office hours, this step gets your first meeting set up.
If your course is entirely self-paced, skip this and move on.
For full details, see Start Your Meeting (Built-in Video) or Set Up Your Zoom Integration.
Step 6: Style Your Course
Optional -- skip if you're fine with the default look.
Choose your course's color scheme, typography, and upload a logo or banner image. This is what students see when they enter your course, so it's worth spending a few minutes here to make it feel like yours.
You can always come back and adjust styling after launch.
For full details, see Change Your Course Style.
Step 7: Set Up Stripe Integration
Connect your Stripe account so you can accept payments. If you plan to offer your course for free only, you can skip this step and create a free price point instead (Step 8).
If you'd prefer PayPal, you can set that up in your account integrations -- the checklist focuses on Stripe, but both work.
For full details, see Connect Stripe for Payments or Set Up PayPal Integration.
Step 8: Create a Price Point
This is where you decide what students pay (or don't pay) to enroll. Your options:
- Free -- No payment required. Students enroll instantly.
- Single payment -- One-time charge at enrollment.
- Payment plan -- Split the total into multiple installments.
- Subscription -- Recurring charge (monthly, annually, etc.) for ongoing access.
You can create multiple price points per course. For example, offer both a single payment and a 3-month plan and let students choose.
For full details, see Create and Manage Price Points.
Step 9: Customize Your Sales Page
Optional -- skip if you plan to use an external landing page.
Your sales page is where prospective students learn about your course and decide to enroll. Ruzuku generates a default sales page with your course title and description. This step lets you customize it with your own copy, images, and layout.
For full details, see Build Your Sales Page.
Step 10: Customize Your Welcome Email
Optional -- skip to use the default welcome message.
When a student enrolls, Ruzuku sends them a welcome email automatically. This step lets you customize what that email says. A good welcome email sets expectations, builds excitement, and tells students exactly what to do first.
For full details, see Schedule Course-Wide Messages.
Step 11: Open for Enrollment
This step becomes available once you've created at least one price point (Step 8). Toggling enrollment open means students can find your sales page and sign up.
You'll see a Sign-ups Open toggle in the upper-right corner of your course. Flip it on when you're ready.
You can close enrollment at any time by toggling it off. Closing enrollment prevents new sign-ups but doesn't affect students already in the course.
For full details, see Open and Close a Course for Sign-Ups.
Step 12: Share Your Course
Your course is live. Now it's time to share the link. This step gives you your sales page URL to send to your audience via email, social media, your website, or anywhere else prospective students will see it.
For full details, see Find Links for Your Sales Page and Price Points.
Minimum Viable Launch
To open enrollment, you need exactly four things:
- An access format (Step 2) -- so Ruzuku knows how to release content.
- At least one module with one lesson (Steps 3 and 4) -- so students have something to see.
- At least one price point (Step 8) -- free or paid.
- Enrollment toggled on (Step 11) -- so students can sign up.
Everything else -- meetings, styling, sales page customization, the welcome email -- can be added or refined after you're live. Many creators launch with the basics and iterate from there. Your course doesn't have to be "finished" to start enrolling students.