# How It Works

> Numbered process section. As the steps scroll into view they light up one after another: the number ticks, the rail draws on to the next marker and the step plays its own illustration. Steps carry optional durations that total into a closing bar with a call to action. Horizontal on large screens, a vertical rail on phones.

- Slug: `how-it-works`
- Category: [Features](https://www.assembli.design/category/features.md)
- Type: block
- Tags: process, steps, onboarding, scroll, timeline, illustrations, cta
- npm dependencies: motion, lucide-react
- shadcn/ui dependencies: none
- Live preview: https://www.assembli.design/preview/how-it-works
- Page: https://www.assembli.design/components/how-it-works

![How It Works preview](https://www.assembli.design/thumbnails/how-it-works-light.png)

## Props

Other props pass through to the root element.

| Prop | Type | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `eyebrow` | `React.ReactNode` | `"How it works"` |  |
| `title` | `React.ReactNode` | `"From sign-up to shipped in an afternoon"` |  |
| `intro` | `React.ReactNode` |  |  |
| `steps` (required) | `HowItWorksStep[]` |  |  |
| `summary` | `{ label?: React.ReactNode; total?: string; action?: { label: string; href: stri…` |  | A closing bar under the steps. `total` defaults to the sum of step durations given in minutes. |

## Install

One-time setup (needs a subscription):

1. Add the registry to the project's `components.json`: `{"@assembli":{"url":"https://www.assembli.design/r/{name}.json","headers":{"Authorization":"Bearer ${ASSEMBLI_API_KEY}"}}}` (merge into `"registries"`).
2. Put an API key from https://www.assembli.design/account in `.env.local` as `ASSEMBLI_API_KEY=asm_…`.

Then install with the shadcn CLI (writes `components/how-it-works/how-it-works.tsx` and installs dependencies):

```bash
npx shadcn@latest add @assembli/how-it-works
```

Registry item JSON: https://www.assembli.design/r/how-it-works.json (send `Authorization: Bearer <api key>`)

## Code

> Component source needs an Assembli subscription ($12/month or $96/year) and an API key sent as `Authorization: Bearer <key>`. To get one without copying anything, POST https://www.assembli.design/api/agent/login (or call the MCP tool connect_account), show the user the link it returns, and poll https://www.assembli.design/api/agent/token for the key. Or subscribe at https://www.assembli.design/pricing and create a key at https://www.assembli.design/account.