Getting started

#Create your account

Errand Machine works on the web at errandmachine.com and in our iOS and Android apps. Your account, errands and receipts stay in sync across all three, so you can start on your laptop and track the errand from your phone.

To sign up, enter your name, email and mobile number, then confirm your email address with the six-digit code we send you. The code expires after 15 minutes. If it doesn't arrive, check your spam folder or choose Resend code on the verification screen.

#Check coverage and pick a plan

Enter your home or office address so we can confirm coverage. We currently serve nine metro areas: Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Austin, Seattle, Portland, Boston, Atlanta and Philadelphia, including the core city and most surrounding suburbs. If your address is just outside a service area, you can join the waitlist and we'll email you when coverage expands.

Next, choose a plan. Every plan includes live tracking, in-app chat and insurance coverage. The plans differ in monthly errand allowance, seats and how far ahead you can schedule:

Monthly billing is $19 (Starter), $49 (Household), $129 (Team) and $299 (Business). Annual billing is 20% less, shown as a per-month price of $15, $39, $103 and $239. You can change plans later from Settings, then Billing.

#Set up your profile

Before you post, take two minutes to add the details runners will need most often. None of these are required, but they make your first errand smoother.

• Saved addresses: add home, office, and any place you regularly send runners, such as a relative's house.
• Access notes: gate codes, building entry instructions and where to leave items. Runners only see these after they accept an errand.
• Default recipient: the person who will usually receive handoffs, such as a partner or front-desk colleague.
• Payment method: a credit or debit card, handled by a PCI-compliant processor. We never store full card numbers on our servers.

#Your first errand

From the dashboard, select New errand, choose a category, add the pickup and drop-off details and pick a time. A nearby runner will usually accept within a few minutes for same-day requests. Full details are in Posting an errand.

Once a runner accepts, you'll see their first name, photo, vehicle type and a live map. You can chat with them in the app at any time. When the errand is done, the runner uploads a confirmation photo and you tap Confirm completion.

#Where to get help

Support response times depend on your plan: Starter gets email support with a 48-hour response, Household gets email and chat within 24 hours, Team gets priority email and chat within 8 hours, and Business customers have a dedicated account manager with a 2-hour response.

For claims or urgent safety concerns, write to support@errandmachine.com and put the errand ID in the subject line. You can find the ID at the top of any errand's detail page.