---
title: "Setting Up Your First Course with LearnDash"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/set-up-first-course/"
description: "Step 1: Access the LearnDash Course Builder Log in to your WordPress dashboard. Navigate to LearnDash LMS: On the left-hand menu, click on LearnDash LMS and the…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "LearnDash"
date: "2025-09-27"
last_modified: "2025-09-27"
---

# Setting Up Your First Course with LearnDash

### Step 1: Access the LearnDash Course Builder

1. **Log in to your WordPress dashboard.**
2. **Navigate to LearnDash LMS**: On the left-hand menu, click on `LearnDash LMS` and then select `Courses`.

### Step 2: Add a New Course

1. **Click on** `Add New`: This button is located at the top of the `Courses` page.
2. **Enter Course Title**: Add the title of your course in the provided field.
3. **Add Course Content**: 
    - In the editor, you can add a course description, images, videos, and any other relevant content. Use the WordPress editor to format and organize your content.

### Step 3: Configure Course Settings

1. **Scroll down to** `Course Settings`: Here you will find several options to configure your course.
2. **Course Price Type**: Select the pricing model for your course (e.g., Free, Buy Now, Recurring, Closed).
3. **Access Mode**: 
    - If the course is free, select `Free`.
    - If it’s a paid course, select `Buy Now` and enter the price.
    - For membership-based access, select `Recurring` and set the subscription details.
4. **Course Prerequisites** (Optional): If you want students to complete another course before accessing this one, set the prerequisite course here.
5. **Course Points** (Optional): Assign points to the course if you are using the LearnDash points system.
6. **Course Certificate** (Optional): Attach a certificate that students will receive upon course completion.
7. **Course Materials**: Add any downloadable materials or resources for the course.

### Step 4: Add Lessons and Topics

1. **Scroll up to the** `Course Builder`: This section is usually located just above the `Course Settings`.
2. **Click** `Add Lesson`: A new panel will open where you can add lessons. 
    - Enter the title of the lesson and click `Add Lesson`.
    - Repeat this process to add multiple lessons.
3. **Add Topics to Lessons**: 
    - Click on a lesson to open it.
    - Click `Add Topic`, enter the topic title, and click `Add Topic`.
    - Repeat for additional topics.

### Step 5: Add Quizzes

1. **Scroll to the** `Quizzes` section: This is located below the lessons and topics in the `Course Builder`.
2. **Click** `Add Quiz`: Enter the quiz title and click `Add Quiz`. 
    - You can add questions to the quiz by clicking on the quiz title and entering the questions and answers.

### Step 6: Publish Your Course

1. **Review your course content**: Ensure all lessons, topics, quizzes, and settings are configured correctly.
2. **Click** `Publish`: This button is located on the right-hand side of the screen in the `Publish` box.

### Step 7: Preview and Test Your Course

1. **Preview the Course**: Before making it live, use the `Preview` button to see how the course looks from a student’s perspective.
2. **Test the Course**: Enroll yourself in the course and go through the lessons, topics, and quizzes to ensure everything functions correctly.

### Additional Tips

- **Drip-Feed Content**: If you want to release course content on a schedule, use the `Drip-Feed Content` option in the `Course Settings`.
- **Course Forums**: Integrate bbPress to add forums for course discussion.
- **Customize the Course Layout**: Use the LearnDash Focus Mode to enhance the learning experience.

By following these steps, you can create and configure a new course in LearnDash, ready for your students to enroll and start learning.