Hi Rob
Yes, plate solve is needed.
here is my steps below for your reference :
step 1 (main camera and guide camera)
step 2: PA(polar alignment)
step 3:(plate solve succeed and sync to mount)
step 4: select your object and goto
step 5 (calibration and guiding, enable dither or not )
step 6:auto run(set your auto run schedule and run it)
step 7 can set "mount go to zero position or turn off asiair when you start an auto run in step 6)