How to Use PagerDuty
A beginner-friendly guide to getting started with PagerDuty in 2026.
Getting Started: Step by Step
Create your PagerDuty account
Visit PagerDuty's website and sign up for a free account. You'll need an email address to get started.
Set up your workspace
Once signed in, configure your PagerDuty workspace. Set your preferences, invite team members if needed, and customize the interface to match your workflow.
Explore incident-management
One of PagerDuty's key features is incident-management. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.
Explore on-call-scheduling
One of PagerDuty's key features is on-call-scheduling. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.
Explore escalation-policies
One of PagerDuty's key features is escalation-policies. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.
Integrate with your existing tools
Connect PagerDuty with the other tools you use daily. Most integrations can be set up in the settings or integrations panel.
Start using it for real work
Now that you're set up, start using PagerDuty for actual tasks. The best way to learn is by doing — don't worry about getting everything perfect right away.
Pro Tips
- Start with the free plan or trial to explore PagerDuty's capabilities before committing to a paid subscription.
- Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow — most tools have extensive shortcut systems.
- Check PagerDuty's official documentation and community forums for advanced tips and best practices.
- Review your workflow after 2 weeks of use and adjust your setup based on what's working and what isn't.
Key Features to Explore
Alternatives to Consider
If PagerDuty isn't the right fit, here are some similar tools:
Ready to Try PagerDuty?
Digital operations management platform for real-time incident response.