Getting Started

Signing up for CommonGround takes less than two minutes. No credit card is required, and the free Essential plan gives you full access to messaging with ARIA, a shared calendar, and expense tracking.

1. 1Visit commonground.app/signup and enter your email address.
2. 2Create a secure password (at least 8 characters).
3. 3Check your inbox for a verification email and click the confirmation link.
4. 4You are in. CommonGround will walk you through the rest from your dashboard.

After signing in for the first time, you will be prompted to complete your profile. This helps your co-parent identify you and ensures notifications reach you reliably.

• Display name: Your first name or the name your co-parent will recognize.
• Profile photo: Optional, but helpful for a friendlier experience.
• Phone number: Optional. Enables SMS reminders for exchanges and schedule changes.
• Time zone: Automatically detected, but you can adjust it manually if needed.

CommonGround works best when both parents are on the platform. From your Family File dashboard, tap Invite Co-Parent to generate a secure invitation link.

How the secure link works

The invitation link is unique and single-use. It expires after 7 days and can only be used by one person. When your co-parent clicks it, they are taken to a signup page pre-connected to your Family File. They create their own account and are immediately linked to the shared space.

What they see when they receive it

Your co-parent receives an email explaining that you have invited them to coordinate parenting through CommonGround. The email includes your display name and a brief description of the platform. They never see any of your private data, messages, or notes before they join.

What if your co-parent will not join?

CommonGround is still valuable as a solo tool. Even without your co-parent on the platform, you can use these features on your own:

• Calendar: Track your custody schedule, add events, and set reminders for yourself.
• Expenses: Log child-related expenses and receipts for your own records.
• Documentation: Everything you log is timestamped and exportable for court or mediation.

Many parents start solo and invite their co-parent later, sometimes at the suggestion of a mediator or family law attorney. You can send the invitation at any time.

Navigate to Messages in your dashboard and compose a message. Before your message is sent, ARIA reads it and checks the tone. If everything looks constructive, the message goes through instantly.

If ARIA detects language that could escalate conflict, she will suggest an alternative version. You always have three choices: accept the suggestion, edit it yourself, or send your original message as-is. ARIA never blocks you from communicating.

Head to the Calendar tab and start adding your custody schedule. Tap any day to assign custody time to either parent. Both parents see the same calendar, so there is never confusion about whose day it is.

You can add individual events like doctor appointments, school plays, and extracurriculars. On the Plus plan, you can set up recurring weekly or biweekly patterns that auto-populate months in advance.

Quick setup checklist

Follow these seven steps and you will be fully set up in about 10 minutes.

1. 1Create your account with your email address.
2. 2Verify your email by clicking the confirmation link.
3. 3Complete your profile with your name and optional photo.
4. 4Create a Family File and add your children.
5. 5Invite your co-parent using the secure invitation link.
6. 6Add your custody schedule to the shared calendar.
7. 7Send your first message through ARIA-assisted messaging.