How do I create a CrossBeam account?
Quick answer: Go to Sign in and pick Google, Microsoft, or email + password. The same form handles both new accounts and existing ones — if the email isn't registered yet, it creates the account.
Steps
- Go to Sign in.
- Pick one:
- Sign in with Google — redirects to Google, then back to your dashboard.
- Sign in with Microsoft — same flow, but for work/school accounts (Azure).
- Email + password — type your email, pick a password (or use your existing one), click Sign in with email.
- First time in, you land on your Projects dashboard. Existing users go straight to their project list.
If you're coming in through a city portal
Partner cities like Buena Park have their own landing page at /submit/{city-slug}. When you click Create Your Account from there, you get the same auth options above — plus a city-specific Terms of Service page you'll need to accept. See Submit through a partner city.
If you already used the free pre-check
The /start free pre-check creates an account automatically when you sign in. That same account works for the full dashboard — you don't need to sign up again.
Troubleshooting
- Google/Microsoft sign-in doesn't redirect back. Pop-up blockers can interrupt the OAuth redirect. Allow pop-ups for
crossbeam-permits.com(or localhost if you're on dev) and retry. - "Invalid login credentials" on email/password. Double-check the email is the one you used originally. If you used Google/Microsoft, keep using that — don't try email/password on an OAuth account.