> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.4thewords.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# You Were Referred

> What you earn when a friend invites you to 4thewords, how to thank your mentor, and how to add a referral code after signing up.

A friend invited you to 4thewords, so they're your **mentor** and you're their **mentee**. Rewards flow both ways as you write, and nothing is taken from your friend to pay for yours.

> **Where to find it:** Left sidebar → **Account** → **Settings** → **Invited by a friend?** card [Open in 4TW ↗](https://app.4thewords.com/account/settings)

## What You Earn

Three moments, two of them shared with your mentor.

* **When you join.** You receive the new-writer Crystal grant that every account starts with.
* **At your first 444 words.** You and your mentor both unlock an exclusive Wordkeeper Lantern item.
* **When you subscribe.** You both receive Crystals.

Words count from anywhere you write: the web app, the [Chrome extension](/tools/chrome-extension/overview), or the desktop app. Your first 444 words don't have to happen in one sitting, and they don't have to land in one file.

<Tip>
  444 words is also the daily target for a [writing Streak](/writing/writing-streaks/overview). Hit it on your first day and you start both at once.
</Tip>

## Your Mentor

Your mentor's name appears on the **Invited by a friend?** card in your account settings. From there you can **Say thanks**, which sends them a note letting them know their invitation landed.

You can also send them a friend request, which opens up chat and lets you follow each other's writing.

<Note>
  Your mentor sees the step you've reached, your words this week, your total words, and your current Streak. They can't open your files or read a single word you've written.
</Note>

## Welcome Gifts

Your mentor can send you one welcome gift to help you through your first battles. Gifts arrive as an in-game notification with a note from them, and the items land straight in your inventory.

A gift might hold starter Potions, a larger Potion bundle, Coins, or Stempos for your Streak. Most of it comes out of your mentor's own inventory, so it's worth a thank you.

## Adding a Code After Signing Up

Signed up without your friend's link? You can still connect, within two limits:

* **Within 7 days** of creating your account.
* **Before you subscribe.** Once a paid subscription goes through, code entry closes.

Enter the code in **Account** → **Settings**, in the **Invited by a friend?** card, then tap **Apply**. Once a code is set it can't be changed.

<Warning>
  You can't use your own code, and a student can't use their own teacher's code. If your window has closed the card tells you so, and the connection can't be made after that.
</Warning>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I lose anything by using a friend's referral code?">
    No. Your friend's reward doesn't come out of your rewards. You receive the new-writer Crystal grant either way, plus the exclusive item at 444 words that you both unlock together.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I signed up without my friend's link. Can I still add their code?">
    Yes, if you're within **7 days** of creating your account and you haven't subscribed yet. Go to **Account** → **Settings** and use the **Invited by a friend?** card. After either limit passes, the connection can't be made.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I entered a referral code but nothing happened.">
    Check for typos first. If the card says code entry is closed, either 7 days have passed since you signed up or a subscription has already gone through. You also can't use your own code or your teacher's code.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change my mentor to someone else?">
    No. Once a referral code is set on your account it's permanent, so pick carefully if more than one friend invited you.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I thank my mentor?">
    Open **Account** → **Settings** and tap **Say thanks** on the **Invited by a friend?** card. Your mentor gets a note letting them know. You can also send them a friend request.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can my mentor see what I write?">
    They can't read anything you write. Your files and drafts stay private. What they do see is your progress: the step you've reached, your words this week, your total words, and your current Streak.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Info>
  Have a gift code rather than a referral code? Those are redeemed on your Subscription page. See [Gift Codes & Gifting](/account/gift-codes-and-gifting).
</Info>

**Start your journey**

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card icon="user-plus" href="/account/referrals/overview" title="Referrals">
    Invite friends of your own, become a mentor, and earn rewards together.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/getting-started" title="Getting Started">
    Your first steps in 4thewords, from your first file to your first battle.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="fire" href="/writing/writing-streaks/overview" title="Writing Streaks">
    Write 444 words a day to build a Streak and earn Wings and Medals.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>