Setup links
When a Cloud district is created, Archboard issues two signed links: a setup link that opens the installation wizard, and a plugin link that downloads the PowerSchool plugin built for your district. Together they let you connect PowerSchool and create the first district admin. This page explains how to use them and what to do if they expire.
Who this is for
Section titled “Who this is for”The person setting up a new Cloud district, usually a district IT admin with PowerSchool administrator access.
Before you start
Section titled “Before you start”- Your district has been purchased and created, and you have received its setup link and plugin link. See Buying and renewing.
- You can install plugins in PowerSchool.
- Your own account exists in PowerSchool as a staff member, so you can import it as the first admin.
How the links work
Section titled “How the links work”- Both links only work on your district’s own address.
- They expire 14 days after they are issued.
- They stop working as soon as the district has a district admin. After that, setup is closed and everyone signs in normally.
Set up the district
Section titled “Set up the district”- Open the plugin link to download
tidal-ptc-plugin.zip. The plugin is built for your district’s address. - Install and enable the plugin in PowerSchool. When it is enabled, PowerSchool registers it with Tidal PTC, which saves the PowerSchool URL, client ID and client secret for you. See PowerSchool.
- Open the setup link. It opens the installation wizard for your district.
- If PowerSchool hasn’t registered the plugin, you see the Installation form. Enter the Tenant name, PowerSchool URL, PowerSchool Client ID and PowerSchool Client Secret, then select Install. The form also has a Download plugin link if you need the plugin again. On Cloud there is no domain field: your address is set when the district is created.
- On Add your user account, search for yourself under Import SIS User (type at least three characters of your name or email), then select Add user and log in. That user gets full permissions for the district and you are signed in.
Installing starts a sync of your schools from PowerSchool. Next, choose which schools are active in Tenant settings.
Get new links
Section titled “Get new links”If your links have expired, ask Archboard support for new ones. Each new pair is valid for another 14 days. New links can only be issued while the district has no district admin.
Operators running Cloud issue fresh links with:
php artisan tenant:setup-link <tenant id or domain>The command prints the Setup link and Plugin link. It fails if the district already has a district admin, and it only runs when IS_CLOUD=true. Rotating the app key also invalidates unused setup links; see Rotating the app key.