---
key: sign-in-to-nova
title: Sign in to Nova
audience: staff
section: getting-started
routes: ["/login"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Sign in with your email or username and password, finish two-step verification if Nova asks, use a passkey, and get back in if you are locked out.
keywords: [login, log in, password, passkey, code, locked out, forgot password, two-step]
related: [find-your-way-around]
---

You do not need the sidebar for this one: open Nova in your browser or the Android app and the sign-in page appears. The page address is `/login`.

## Before you start

Have the email address or username your admin set up for you, and your password. If your organization asks everyone to confirm it is really them when signing in, keep your phone nearby for the code.

If you have signed in on this device before, Nova remembers the account: the page opens at **Password** with your account shown at the top, so skip step 1. To sign in as someone else, select **Change account**, then pick another saved account or **Use a different account**.

## Steps

1. Type your email address or username in **Email or username** and select **Next**.
2. Type your password in **Password**. Select **Show** to check what you typed.
3. Leave **Keep me signed in** on only when this is your own computer or phone. Turn it off on a shared device.
4. Select **Sign in**.
5. If Nova asks you to confirm it is you, pick how you want your code: a text, an email, a phone call, or your authenticator app. Press the button under the list. Nova sends the code, or shows the code boxes right away when you chose an app.
6. Type the 6-digit code. Nova checks it as soon as the last digit goes in. If the code does not arrive, wait for the countdown beside **Resend code** to finish, then select it. The countdown still applies after you switch apps or verification methods. If you have more than one way to get a code, **Try another way** switches to it.
7. After the check, Nova may ask **Remember this device?**. On your own device select **Remember this device** so you can usually skip the code next time. On a shared device select **Don't trust this device**.

## Sign in with a passkey

A passkey lets you skip the password on a device where you saved one. After **Next**, select **Continue with passkey** and follow your browser's prompt: a fingerprint, your face, or the device PIN. Your browser may also offer the passkey as a suggestion inside the **Email or username** field. To see every option for your account, select **Choose another sign-in method**.

## What you see

After you sign in, Nova opens your **Dashboard**. [[find-your-way-around]] explains what is where.

The lock and reCAPTCHA marks at the bottom of the sign-in and invitation cards explain how your sign-in is protected. Rest the pointer on either mark, focus it with the keyboard, or tap it to read the explanation. The links in the card stay available while you move into it. Press Escape or select outside the card to close it. Both cards follow light and dark mode.

## When opening a page takes longer

While Nova’s loading logo and ring are on screen, short waits have no extra message. If the wait reaches ten seconds, it adds “This is taking longer than expected. Please keep this page open.” The same message can appear during a longer page, section or saving wait. It disappears when the work finishes. It indicates a delay, not a connection error. Keep the page open while a save is in progress. If loading fails, follow the error’s retry option.

## If you are locked out

- Forgot your password? Select **Forgot password?**, type your **Email**, and send the reset link. Follow the link in the email soon: it expires after a short time. Select **Back to sign in** to return without sending.
- Forgot your username? Select **Forgot username?** and Nova emails it to the address on your account.
- No phone for the code? Use one of the backup codes you saved when you set up two-step verification: choose that option from the list, type it in **Backup code**, and select **Confirm**. Each backup code works once.
- Nothing works? Your admin can reset your password and your two-step verification from the team settings, and can clear the devices Nova remembers for you.

A code copied from a text, email or authenticator app can fill and check itself when you return to Nova. If it is stale or belongs somewhere else, Nova clears it quietly. A code you type or deliberately paste still shows an error if it is incorrect.

Android shows the same six code boxes and verification choices. Copy just the code from your email, text or authenticator app, then return to Nova; it can fill and check itself. You can also paste the whole code into the boxes. Choose **Backup code** for a saved code that contains letters.

If you turn two-step verification off in your profile, an ordinary sign-in on Android follows that choice. Your company can still require a second step, and an unusual sign-in may need a security check. Nova explains why it is asking. If you changed your security settings during an unfinished sign-in, select **Back to sign in** and start again.