No directions were provided, but I found some on-line. Even then, programming it is complicated.
Does not come with an adaptor. In battery power mode, the display on the clock does not stay on, and the ceiling display does not stay on. You push a button on top, and the displays stay on for about 5 seconds, then turn off to save battery power. So if you are across the room and want to see the time, you are out of luck. You have to walk over the clock and punch the top. Similarly, if you are in bed and you want to see the time on the ceiling, you have to reach over and punch the top - kind of defeats the purpose of conveniently seeing the time on the ceiling.
In an effort to save the day, I purchased an adaptor. The instructions give you no idea on what type of adaptor to buy. By going through way too much trouble, I learned you need a 4.5V adaptor. I am not sure on the mA needed, I know 300 mA is not enough. I purchased a 1,300 mA adaptor and it works. This solves half the problem. It keeps the display on the clock itself on at all times. However, you must still punch the top to get the ceiling display to work.
A nice looking clock w/ a basically useless ceiling projection feature.