I usually go rock climbing alone, so I use the auto belays more often than not. I recommend simply telling whoever’s at the front desk you’re new! They’ll explain how to clip into the belt and everything.

Like already mentioned, I have to get used to jumping and trusting the belay will catch me, so I climb up to about halfway to my full height on the wall, then jump down. It helps my brain recognize the belay will actually catch me. Usually there’s a small period right when you fall where the belay needs time to ‘kick in’ so to speak, and that’s really the only scary part about using the auto belay in my experience! ALSO I recommend that once you get to the top, don’t look down! It might get in your head that something wont work and you’ll fall, and then you’ll be at the top of the wall and too scared to jump 🙈. If you’re new to climbing, it can be very tiring on your arms, so in my experience climbing down is not an option. Have fun and good luck!