# Getting help

Here are the main sources of help with QuPath questions:

- This documentation, including {doc}`../reference/faqs`
- The {doc}`Command List <essential_tips>` & its built-in help menu option
- [forum.image.sc](https://forum.image.sc/tags/qupath) - **main user forum**, shared with other open source projects
- [Issues on GitHub](https://github.com/qupath/qupath/issues) - bug reports, *not* general questions
- [YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/c/qupath) - includes **video tutorials** and **webinars**
- [Twitter](https://twitter.com/QuPath) - most things will be **announced here first**

## Help inside QuPath

If your needs for instruction are modest, it's always worthwhile to try hovering your mouse over nearby buttons or input controls - there's a good chance that an explanation will pop up to explain what the control does.

There are two other commands that can help - which both also have toolbar buttons.

### {{ tool_pin }} QuPath tour

When uncertain about the QuPath interface or a feature, the **QuPath tour** under {menuselection}`Help → QuPath Tour` may help. It guides you though the interface by highlighting each element and offering a brief explanation of its function.

:::{figure} images/steps_tour.jpg
:class: shadow-image full-image

QuPath Tour
:::

### {{ tool_help }} Context help

The context help is a great way to find out more about a tool or a parameter within QuPath or tell alert the user to . It can be found under {menuselection}`Help --> Show interactive help`.

This provides additional information when you hover over items in QuPath such as tools or parameters. It also warns you about potential issues that could disrupt your image analysis workflow—making it a valuable tool to keep open as you work.

If you find yourself stuck or confused, it's worthwhile clicking {{ icon_help }} first to see if it can help.
And if the interactive help has something it really thinks you should know, a small badge will be displayed on the toolbar button.

:::{figure} images/steps_context_help.png
:class: shadow-image mini-image

Context Help
:::

### {{ tool_log }} Log

{menuselection}`View --> Show log` is also an invaluable source of information.

While often quite technical, this can also contain comprehensible explanations for many problems.
If errors occur, a red badge will appear on the toolbar button to catch you attention.

If you want to report a bug on the forum, including the information from {menuselection}`View --> Show log` is often invaluable in helping us understand and fix the problem.


## Help for other versions

Documentation for previous versions can be accessed within Read The Docs via the versioning in the lower left corner of any page. 

### Help for version 0.1.2

The following resources relate to QuPath v0.1.2 (from December 2016).
They are no longer actively maintained, and much of the information is out of date.

But because v0.1.2 was the 'main' version for several years, and may still have some users, they are kept for posterity.

- [Original GitHub wiki](https://github.com/qupath/qupath/wiki)
- [QuPath Users Google Group](https://groups.google.com/d/forum/qupath-users)
- [Pete's blog](https://petebankhead.github.io/) - especially useful for tracking the path from v0.1.2 to v0.2.0; no longer updated