# Before You Register

Source: /docs/raptor-mcp/before-you-register

Decide how to evaluate Raptor MCP and what to prepare before registration.

## Start with the right path

Most teams do not need to make a big infrastructure decision on day one. Start by deciding what you want to prove: a quick hands-on trial, a managed Qlik Cloud connection, or a gateway your own team will operate.

That choice shapes the security conversation, the Qlik admin involvement, and how quickly your users can start testing.

- Use sandbox access for short demos and starter prompts with sample, public, or non-sensitive data.
- Choose hosted gateway access when you want Raptor to provide a managed route for an approved Qlik Cloud tenant.
- Choose a customer-hosted Enterprise Gateway when your security team wants your organization to run and manage the gateway.
- Add migration or specialist services when you have a defined project such as QlikView migration, Power BI migration, modernization, or managed analytics delivery.

## What to have ready

You do not need a full technical design before registering. A few practical details are enough to help your team, partner, or Raptor support guide the account setup.

- Which Qlik platform you use: Qlik Cloud, Qlik Sense Client-Managed, or both.
- Who owns the Qlik environment and can approve access for testing or production use.
- Who should use Raptor MCP first: internal developers, analysts, administrators, consultants, or partner delivery users.
- Whether you want a sandbox trial, hosted gateway access, customer-hosted gateway access, or a project-led migration/service engagement.
- How you prefer to buy: card checkout, invoice request, partner referral, or partner-managed delivery.

## What not to put in a trial

A sandbox is for learning, not for moving sensitive work into a trial space. Keep production systems, confidential customer data, and long-lived credentials out of trial sessions.

When you are ready for real Qlik access, use the hosted gateway or Enterprise Gateway setup path that matches your security review.

- Use sample, public, or non-sensitive content in the sandbox.
- Use an authorized Qlik Cloud administrator when setting up hosted gateway access.
- Treat gateway tokens like passwords: store them securely, do not share them, and revoke them if they are exposed.
- For long-running work, use a supported client and expect normal reconnect behavior if a session expires.

## Related Links

- [Sandbox access](/docs/raptor-mcp/sandbox-access)
- [Hosted gateway access](/docs/raptor-mcp/hosted-gateway-access)
- [Service catalog](/docs/raptor-mcp/service-catalog)