How connections work (and what 'varies' means)

Your assistant gets information in three ways: a direct connection you approve (like Google Calendar or Gmail), a calendar subscription link many apps provide, or the notification emails apps already send you. Not every app offers all three, and features change, so in this course any app we haven't verified for your exact setup is marked varies. We confirm it together during setup.

Step by step

1. List the apps your family uses: school portal, team app, calendar, email, pharmacy, grocery.
2. Next to each, note whether it emails you notifications (most do).
3. Check if it offers a 'subscribe to calendar' or iCal link (many team and school apps do).
4. Mark anything you're unsure of as 'varies'. That's fine.

Checklist

• I have a list of my family's apps
• I know which ones email me notifications
• Uncertain apps are marked 'varies'

Connecting your calendar

The family calendar is the backbone of most routines. Grok Bot can connect directly to Google Calendar and Outlook after you approve access. Apple iCloud calendars and kitchen displays like Skylight: varies, often handled by sharing a Google calendar to them.

Works with: Google Calendar, Outlook: direct connection. iCloud, Skylight and other displays: varies.

Step by step

1. In your assistant, ask to connect your calendar and follow the sign-in screen from Google or Microsoft. You type your password there, never in the chat.
2. Create (or pick) one calendar called 'Family' and share it with your spouse or co-parent.
3. Ask the assistant: "List what's on the Family calendar next week." Check it's right.
4. If you use a kitchen display, follow its own instructions to show the Family calendar (varies by device).

Checklist

• My calendar is connected through the official sign-in
• There's one shared Family calendar
• The assistant read next week correctly

Connecting email

Most family logistics arrive by email. Connecting your inbox lets the assistant find and summarize school, team, bill and pharmacy messages. It reads and drafts; it doesn't send as you without your OK.

Works with: Gmail, Outlook: direct connection. Other providers: varies (forwarding usually works).

Step by step

1. Connect Gmail or Outlook through the official sign-in screen.
2. Create a label or folder called 'Family' (school, teams, doctors, bills).
3. Optional: set up filters so school and team emails land there automatically.
4. Ask: "Summarize this week's Family emails in five lines."

Checklist

• My email is connected through the official sign-in
• Family mail has a label or folder
• I tested a weekly summary

School and team apps

School portals (Canvas, Google Classroom, PowerSchool, Infinite Campus) and messaging apps (ParentSquare, ClassDojo, Remind) differ by district. Most can email you grades, missing-work alerts and announcements. That email is what the assistant reads. Direct logins to these portals: varies, and we don't set them up without the district allowing parent access.

Works with: Canvas, Google Classroom, PowerSchool, ParentSquare, ClassDojo, TeamSnap, GameChanger: varies (usually via notification emails or calendar links).

Step by step

1. In each school app, open notification settings and turn on email alerts for missing work, grades and announcements.
2. Choose a weekly or daily email summary if offered (Canvas and Google Classroom both offer guardian summaries in many districts; varies).
3. In team apps, turn on schedule-change emails and copy the calendar subscription link if there is one.
4. Tell the assistant which kid each school or team belongs to.

Checklist

• Email alerts are on in each school app
• Team schedule emails or calendar links are set up
• The assistant knows which kid goes with which school and team