Providing user interaction guidance for services and associated applications may become more difficult as their variety and depth increases. Embodiments are directed to managing activation of and providing guidance on how to use a hosted service. For example, an initial configuration of a user interface (UI) of the hosted service that includes at least one element to highlight functionality may be provided for display. An initial action may be received from a user associated with the functionality, the initial action may be performed, and the UI may be updated to reflect the performed initial action. The initial action may be an activation action or upload action, for example. Additionally, a teaching UI element with a celebratory message to highlight the performed initial action and to provide additional information may be provided for display and rendered at a proximate position to a representation of the performed initial action.