diff --git a/public/help/guide.html b/public/help/guide.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..05fdfb5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/public/help/guide.html
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+<h2 class="text-2xl font-semibold text-black">Getting Started</h2>
+<div class="p-2 flex flex-col space-y-4">
+  <p class="text-left text-gray-900">Welcome to <b class="font-bold">The
+    Manifest Game</b>, an interactive decision tree to help you
+    use the U.S. EPA's hazardous waste tracking system known as
+    <a
+      class="text-blue-700 underline hover:text-blue-900"
+      href="https://epa.gov/e-manifest">e-Manifest</a>.
+  </p>
+  <p class="text-gray-900">
+    Start by answering the "Yes" or "No" questions in the boxes. As you answer
+    questions, new questions will appear based on your previous answers.
+  </p>
+  <p class="text-gray-900">
+    If you are unsure about a question, click the question mark in the question
+    box to learn more.
+  </p>
+  <h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-black">Navigate</h3>
+  <p class="text-gray-900">
+    You can move around the page by clicking and dragging anywhere on the page.
+    You can also zoom in and out by using the scroll wheel on your mouse or
+    pinching on a touch screen.
+  </p>
+  <h4 class="text-lg font-bold text-black">Mini Map</h4>
+  <p class="text-gray-900">
+    The mini map in the bottom right corner shows you where you are on the
+    decision tree. You can click the mini map to quickly navigate to
+    different parts of the decision tree, and scroll to zoom in and out.
+  </p>
+  <h4 class="text-lg font-bold text-black">Change the Layout</h4>
+  <p class="text-gray-900">
+    You can change the layout of the decision tree from horizontal to vertical
+    by clicking the "Layout" button to help you visualize the decision tree in
+    different ways.
+  </p>
+  <h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-black">Share Your Decisions</h3>
+  <p class="text-gray-900">
+    Once you have completed the decision tree, you can share your decisions with
+    others by clicking the "Share" button. This will generate a unique URL
+    you can share with others.
+  </p>
+</div>
diff --git a/src/App.spec.tsx b/src/App.spec.tsx
index ef7a5e2..963e4c4 100644
--- a/src/App.spec.tsx
+++ b/src/App.spec.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { setupServer } from 'msw/node';
 import React from 'react';
 import { ReactFlowProvider } from 'reactflow';
 import useTreeStore from 'store';
-import { renderWithProviders } from 'test-utils';
+import { notFirstTimeMock, renderWithProviders } from 'test-utils';
 import { afterAll, afterEach, beforeAll, describe, expect, test, vi } from 'vitest';
 
 const TestComponent = () => {
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ afterAll(() => {
 });
 
 describe('App', () => {
+  notFirstTimeMock();
   test('shows a spinner while waiting for config', () => {
     server.use(
       http.get('/default.json', async () => {
diff --git a/src/App.tsx b/src/App.tsx
index bf30cff..cb448b0 100644
--- a/src/App.tsx
+++ b/src/App.tsx
@@ -30,9 +30,7 @@ export default function App() {
       ) : configError ? (
         <ErrorMsg message={'Error parsing the Decision Tree'} />
       ) : (
-        <>
-          <Tree nodes={nodes} edges={edges} />
-        </>
+        <Tree nodes={nodes} edges={edges} />
       )}
       <OffCanvas isOpen={helpIsOpen} onClose={hideHelp} />
     </>
diff --git a/src/components/Header/Header.tsx b/src/components/Header/Header.tsx
index dfc4f6a..1f2c44f 100644
--- a/src/components/Header/Header.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Header/Header.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+import { HelpIcon } from 'components/Help/HelpIcon/HelpIcon';
+import { useHelp } from 'hooks';
+import React, { MouseEventHandler } from 'react';
 import { Panel } from 'reactflow';
 
 interface HeaderProps {
@@ -6,12 +9,25 @@ interface HeaderProps {
 
 export const Header = ({ treeTitle }: HeaderProps) => {
   const issueUrl = import.meta.env.VITE_ISSUE_URL;
+  const { showHelp } = useHelp();
+
+  const showInstructions: MouseEventHandler = (event) => {
+    try {
+      showHelp('guide.html');
+      event.stopPropagation();
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error(error);
+    }
+  };
 
   return (
-    <Panel position="top-left" className="w-3/12">
+    <Panel position="top-left" className=" sm:w-5/12 md:w-4/12 lg:w-3/12">
       <div className="box-border w-full rounded-xl bg-gradient-to-b from-sky-700 to-sky-900 p-2 align-middle">
-        <div>
+        <div className="flex min-w-60 justify-between">
           <h1 className="text-xl font-semibold text-white">{treeTitle}</h1>
+          <div className="absolute right-3 top-3">
+            <HelpIcon onClick={showInstructions} size={20} />
+          </div>
         </div>
         {issueUrl && (
           <div>
diff --git a/src/components/Help/Help.spec.tsx b/src/components/Help/Help.spec.tsx
index 343e00d..44b28de 100644
--- a/src/components/Help/Help.spec.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Help/Help.spec.tsx
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { Help } from 'components/Help/Help';
 import { delay, http, HttpResponse } from 'msw';
 import { setupServer } from 'msw/node';
 import useTreeStore from 'store';
+import { notFirstTimeMock } from 'test-utils';
 import { afterAll, afterEach, beforeAll, describe, expect, test } from 'vitest';
 
 const handlers = [
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ beforeAll(() => server.listen());
 afterAll(() => server.close());
 
 describe('Help', () => {
+  notFirstTimeMock();
   test('renders error message when help content ID is undefined', () => {
     render(<Help />);
     expect(screen.getByText(/problem/i)).toBeInTheDocument();
diff --git a/src/components/Help/Help.tsx b/src/components/Help/Help.tsx
index 8f8fa7b..5a1bed7 100644
--- a/src/components/Help/Help.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Help/Help.tsx
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ export const Help = () => {
 
   return (
     <>
-      <h2 className="text-xl font-semibold text-black">More Information</h2>
       {help?.type === 'text' && <TextualHelp content={help.content} />}
       {help?.type === 'html' && <HtmlHelp html={help.content} />}
     </>
diff --git a/src/components/Help/HelpIcon/HelpIcon.tsx b/src/components/Help/HelpIcon/HelpIcon.tsx
index 4fd4bfd..f69718d 100644
--- a/src/components/Help/HelpIcon/HelpIcon.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Help/HelpIcon/HelpIcon.tsx
@@ -3,13 +3,14 @@ import { FaQuestionCircle } from 'react-icons/fa';
 
 interface HelpIconProps {
   onClick?: React.MouseEventHandler;
+  size?: number;
 }
 
 /**
  * icon to help users make decisions or direct them to more information
  * @constructor
  */
-export const HelpIcon = ({ onClick }: HelpIconProps) => {
+export const HelpIcon = ({ onClick, size = 30 }: HelpIconProps) => {
   return (
     <div>
       <button
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ export const HelpIcon = ({ onClick }: HelpIconProps) => {
         className="rounded-full border-2 border-transparent bg-transparent focus:outline-none focus:ring focus:ring-white"
       >
         <FaQuestionCircle
-          size={30}
+          size={size}
           className="rounded-full text-slate-50 transition-all duration-200 ease-in-out hover:text-slate-400"
         />
       </button>
diff --git a/src/components/OffCanvas/OffCanvas.tsx b/src/components/OffCanvas/OffCanvas.tsx
index 1daf0a9..42e9c46 100644
--- a/src/components/OffCanvas/OffCanvas.tsx
+++ b/src/components/OffCanvas/OffCanvas.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { Help } from 'components/Help/Help';
-import React, { useCallback, useEffect } from 'react';
+import React, { useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from 'react';
 import { FaX } from 'react-icons/fa6';
 
 interface OffCanvasProps {
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ interface OffCanvasProps {
  */
 export const OffCanvas = ({ isOpen, onClose }: OffCanvasProps) => {
   /** handle when user clicks outside the off canvas component*/
+  const contentRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null);
+
   const onClickOutside = useCallback(() => {
     if (isOpen) {
       if (onClose) onClose();
@@ -41,6 +43,12 @@ export const OffCanvas = ({ isOpen, onClose }: OffCanvasProps) => {
     return () => document.removeEventListener('click', onClickOutside);
   }, [onClickOutside]);
 
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (isOpen) {
+      contentRef.current?.focus();
+    }
+  }, [contentRef, isOpen]);
+
   return (
     <>
       <div
@@ -70,13 +78,13 @@ export const OffCanvas = ({ isOpen, onClose }: OffCanvasProps) => {
             <FaX size={20} />
           </button>
         </div>
-        <div className="offcanvas-scrollbar max-h-full overflow-x-hidden px-6 hover:overflow-y-scroll">
+        <div className="max-h-full overflow-x-hidden overflow-y-scroll px-6" ref={contentRef}>
           <Help />
         </div>
       </div>
       {/* backdrop while open*/}
       <div
-        className={`fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 bg-black  transition-opacity duration-200 ease-in-out ${isOpen ? 'visible opacity-60' : 'invisible opacity-0'}`}
+        className={`fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 bg-black transition-opacity duration-200 ease-in-out ${isOpen ? 'visible opacity-60' : 'invisible opacity-0'}`}
       />
     </>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/LayoutBtn/LayoutBtn.tsx b/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/LayoutBtn/LayoutBtn.tsx
index 9076de9..8800427 100644
--- a/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/LayoutBtn/LayoutBtn.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/LayoutBtn/LayoutBtn.tsx
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ export const LayoutBtn = ({ isHorizontal, toggleDirection }: LayoutBtnProps) =>
     <ControlButton
       aria-label={`switch to ${isHorizontal ? 'vertical' : 'horizontal'} layout`}
       onClick={toggleDirection}
+      className="text-black"
     >
       {isHorizontal ? <LuMoveVertical color={'000'} /> : <LuMoveHorizontal color={'000'} />}
     </ControlButton>
diff --git a/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/MiniMapBtn/MiniMapBtn.tsx b/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/MiniMapBtn/MiniMapBtn.tsx
index 971f67d..90e6461 100644
--- a/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/MiniMapBtn/MiniMapBtn.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/MiniMapBtn/MiniMapBtn.tsx
@@ -9,7 +9,11 @@ interface MiniMapBtnProps {
 /** LayoutBtn toggles the layout direction of the tree.*/
 export const MiniMapBtn = ({ visible, onClick }: MiniMapBtnProps) => {
   return (
-    <ControlButton aria-label={`${visible ? 'hide minimap' : 'show minimap'}`} onClick={onClick}>
+    <ControlButton
+      aria-label={`${visible ? 'hide minimap' : 'show minimap'}`}
+      onClick={onClick}
+      className="text-black"
+    >
       {visible ? <LuMapPinOff color={'000'} /> : <LuMapPin color={'000'} />}
     </ControlButton>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/ShareBtn/ShareBtn.tsx b/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/ShareBtn/ShareBtn.tsx
index 3158263..765093e 100644
--- a/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/ShareBtn/ShareBtn.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Tree/ControlCenter/Controls/ShareBtn/ShareBtn.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,11 @@ export const ShareBtn = () => {
   const { copyTreeUrlToClipboard } = useUrl();
 
   return (
-    <ControlButton aria-label="share diagram" onClick={copyTreeUrlToClipboard}>
+    <ControlButton
+      aria-label="share diagram"
+      className="text-black"
+      onClick={copyTreeUrlToClipboard}
+    >
       <LuShare className="font-bold" />
     </ControlButton>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/Tree/Nodes/BoolNode/BoolNode.tsx b/src/components/Tree/Nodes/BoolNode/BoolNode.tsx
index 3452e18..f2ed193 100644
--- a/src/components/Tree/Nodes/BoolNode/BoolNode.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Tree/Nodes/BoolNode/BoolNode.tsx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ export const BoolNode = ({
 }: NodeProps<BoolNodeData>) => {
   const { showHelp } = useHelp();
   const { retractDecision, makeDecision } = useDecisionTree();
-  const { decisionIsInPath, decision, isCurrentDecision } = useDecisions(id);
+  const { decisionIsInPath, decision } = useDecisions(id);
 
   const handleHelpClick: MouseEventHandler = (event) => {
     try {
@@ -44,8 +44,7 @@ export const BoolNode = ({
         data-testid={`bool-node-${id}-content`}
         className={`flex min-w-80 flex-col items-center justify-center rounded-xl
           p-6 text-xl text-white
-          ${decisionIsInPath(id) ? 'bg-gradient-to-b from-teal-700 to-teal-800' : 'bg-gradient-to-b from-sky-700 to-sky-900'}
-          ${isCurrentDecision ? 'animate-pulse' : ''}`}
+          ${decisionIsInPath(id) ? 'bg-gradient-to-b from-teal-700 to-teal-800' : 'bg-gradient-to-b from-sky-700 to-sky-900'}`}
       >
         {help && (
           <div className="absolute right-3 top-3">
diff --git a/src/components/Tree/Nodes/DefaultNode/DefaultNode.tsx b/src/components/Tree/Nodes/DefaultNode/DefaultNode.tsx
index d46e064..bed398b 100644
--- a/src/components/Tree/Nodes/DefaultNode/DefaultNode.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Tree/Nodes/DefaultNode/DefaultNode.tsx
@@ -23,13 +23,11 @@ export const DefaultNode = ({ data, ...props }: NodeProps<VertexData>) => {
     ? 'bg-teal-700'
     : 'bg-gradient-to-b from-sky-700 to-sky-900';
 
-  const nodeFocusedClasses = isCurrentDecision ? 'animate-pulse' : '';
-
   return (
     <BaseNode {...props}>
       <div
         data-testid={`default-node-${props.id}-content`}
-        className={`flex min-w-full justify-center rounded-xl p-6 text-xl text-white ${nodeBackgroundColor} ${nodeFocusedClasses}`}
+        className={`flex min-w-full justify-center rounded-xl p-6 text-xl text-white ${nodeBackgroundColor}`}
       >
         {data.help && (
           <div className="absolute right-3 top-3">
diff --git a/src/components/Tree/Tree.tsx b/src/components/Tree/Tree.tsx
index 6931d74..1ad8eb6 100644
--- a/src/components/Tree/Tree.tsx
+++ b/src/components/Tree/Tree.tsx
@@ -39,17 +39,18 @@ export const Tree = ({ nodes, edges }: TreeProps) => {
           onNodesChange={onNodesChange}
           fitView
           edgesFocusable={false}
-          fitViewOptions={{ padding: 5, minZoom: 0, maxZoom: 5 }}
+          fitViewOptions={{ padding: 5, minZoom: 0, maxZoom: 2 }}
           proOptions={{ hideAttribution: true }}
         >
           {mapVisible && (
             <MiniMap
-              nodeStrokeWidth={3}
+              ariaLabel="Mini Map"
+              offsetScale={50}
               data-testid="tree-mini-map"
               nodeColor="#3E6D9BAA"
               zoomable={true}
               onClick={(_event: React.MouseEvent, position: XYPosition) =>
-                setCenter(position.x, position.y, { zoom: zoom, duration: 1.5 })
+                setCenter(position.x, position.y, { zoom: zoom })
               }
             />
           )}
diff --git a/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.spec.tsx b/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.spec.tsx
index 0c82cdb..bef95bb 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.spec.tsx
+++ b/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.spec.tsx
@@ -1,12 +1,26 @@
 import '@testing-library/jest-dom';
 import { renderHook } from '@testing-library/react';
 import { useHelp } from 'hooks/useHelp/useHelp';
-import { describe, expect, test } from 'vitest';
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, test, vi } from 'vitest';
 
 describe('useHelp hook', () => {
+  const getItemSpy = vi.spyOn(Storage.prototype, 'getItem');
+  const setItemSpy = vi.spyOn(Storage.prototype, 'setItem');
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    localStorage.clear();
+    getItemSpy.mockClear();
+    setItemSpy.mockClear();
+  });
+
+  test('helpIsOpen is true on a user first visit', () => {
+    const { result } = renderHook(() => useHelp());
+    expect(result.current.helpIsOpen).toBeTruthy();
+  });
   test('helpIsOpen is initially false', () => {
+    localStorage.setItem('tmg-first-time', 'true');
     const { result } = renderHook(() => useHelp());
-    expect(result.current.helpIsOpen).toBe(false);
+    expect(result.current.helpIsOpen).toBeFalsy();
   });
   test('showHelp returns if arg is undefined', () => {
     const { result } = renderHook(() => useHelp());
diff --git a/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.tsx b/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.tsx
index 74cd451..90bc3a3 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.tsx
+++ b/src/hooks/useHelp/useHelp.tsx
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from 'react';
 import useTreeStore from 'store';
 
 export interface UseHelpReturn {
@@ -5,6 +6,7 @@ export interface UseHelpReturn {
   contentFilename: string | undefined;
   showHelp: (contentId: string | undefined) => void;
   hideHelp: () => void;
+  showInstructions: () => void;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -17,16 +19,33 @@ export const useHelp = () => {
     hideHelp,
     showHelp: storeShowHelp,
   } = useTreeStore((state) => state);
+  const [firstTime, setFirstTime] = useState(window.localStorage.getItem('tmg-first-time'));
 
-  const showHelp = (contentId: string | undefined) => {
-    if (!contentId) throw new Error('contentId is required');
-    storeShowHelp(contentId);
-  };
+  const showHelp = useCallback(
+    (contentId: string | undefined) => {
+      if (!contentId) throw new Error('contentId is required');
+      storeShowHelp(contentId);
+    },
+    [storeShowHelp]
+  );
+
+  const showInstructions = useCallback(() => {
+    showHelp('guide.html');
+  }, [showHelp]);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!firstTime) {
+      showInstructions();
+    }
+    setFirstTime('false');
+    window.localStorage.setItem('tmg-first-time', 'false');
+  }, [firstTime, showInstructions]);
 
   return {
     helpIsOpen: helpIsOpen,
     contentFilename,
     showHelp,
     hideHelp,
+    showInstructions,
   } as UseHelpReturn;
 };
diff --git a/src/index.css b/src/index.css
index bf0851a..b8b98ab 100644
--- a/src/index.css
+++ b/src/index.css
@@ -45,25 +45,20 @@ body,
 .react-flow__controls button {
     border-radius: 10px;
     border: 2px solid #fff;
-    margin-top: 5px;
+    margin-top: 2px;
     background: #fefefe !important;
 }
 
 .react-flow__node {
     border-radius: 15px;
-    border: 2px solid #333333;
+    border: 3px solid #333333;
 }
 
 .react-flow__node:focus {
-    border: white 2px solid;
+    border: white 3px solid;
     border-radius: 15px;
 }
 
-.offcanvas-scrollbar {
-    scrollbar-color: #333333 transparent;
-}
-
-
 @layer components {
     .z-top {
         z-index: 1050;
diff --git a/src/test-utils.tsx b/src/test-utils.tsx
index 45dd747..c44ddbd 100644
--- a/src/test-utils.tsx
+++ b/src/test-utils.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { render, RenderOptions } from '@testing-library/react';
 import React, { PropsWithChildren, ReactElement } from 'react';
 import { MemoryRouter, MemoryRouterProps } from 'react-router-dom';
 import { ReactFlowProvider } from 'reactflow';
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, vi } from 'vitest';
 
 interface DecisionTreeRenderOptions extends RenderOptions {
   memoryRouterProps?: MemoryRouterProps;
@@ -30,3 +31,18 @@ export function renderWithProviders(
 
   return { ...render(ui, { wrapper: Wrapper, ...renderOptions }) };
 }
+
+export const notFirstTimeMock = () => {
+  const getItemSpy = vi.spyOn(Storage.prototype, 'getItem');
+  const setItemSpy = vi.spyOn(Storage.prototype, 'setItem');
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    localStorage.clear();
+    getItemSpy.mockClear();
+    setItemSpy.mockClear();
+  });
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    localStorage.setItem('tmg-first-time', 'false');
+  });
+};
diff --git a/tsconfig.json b/tsconfig.json
index 9633154..8e30641 100644
--- a/tsconfig.json
+++ b/tsconfig.json
@@ -2,7 +2,11 @@
   "compilerOptions": {
     "baseUrl": "src",
     "target": "ES6",
-    "lib": ["dom", "dom.iterable", "esnext"],
+    "lib": [
+      "dom",
+      "dom.iterable",
+      "esnext"
+    ],
     "allowJs": true,
     "skipLibCheck": true,
     "esModuleInterop": true,
@@ -18,6 +22,11 @@
     "jsx": "react-jsx",
     "incremental": true
   },
-  "include": ["src"],
-  "exclude": ["node_modules", "build"]
+  "include": [
+    "src"
+  ],
+  "exclude": [
+    "node_modules",
+    "build"
+  ]
 }