> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://comis-feature-matrix-channel.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Choose your setup method and install Comis

This section walks you through installing Comis on your server or development
machine. There are five ways to get started -- pick the one that fits your
workflow best.

## Quick Install

One-liner -- installs Node.js, system dependencies, a dedicated `comis` user,
and registers the daemon as a systemd service:

```bash theme={}
curl -fsSL https://comis.ai/install.sh | bash
```

This is the same script used by the [VPS guide](/installation/install-vps) and
works on macOS and Linux.

On Linux the dedicated `comis` user is the default: run as root, the installer
creates it directly; run as a regular user, it offers to re-run itself with
`sudo`. Pass `--no-user` (or set `COMIS_NO_USER=1`) to install for the current
user instead. Non-interactive non-root runs (no TTY, or `--no-prompt`) stop
and ask you to pick one of the two explicitly.

## Choose Your Setup Method

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Linux Install" icon="linux" href="/installation/install-linux">
    Recommended for most users. Step-by-step procedure with `npm install -g comisai`,
    setup wizard, and `comis daemon start`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="VPS Install" icon="server" href="/installation/install-vps">
    Deploy on Hostinger, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, or any Ubuntu VPS in under 10 minutes
    using the one-line installer.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Docker" icon="docker" href="/installation/install-docker">
    Run Comis in a container. No system-level Node.js installation needed --
    everything runs inside Docker.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Render.com" icon="cloud" href="/installation/install-render">
    Deploy from Docker Hub to Render in \~5 minutes. Managed Linux host,
    automatic HTTPS, persistent disk, public URL. No server to provision.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manual Configuration" icon="gear" href="/installation/configuration">
    Full control over every setting. For experienced users who want to build
    their config.yaml from scratch.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Comparison

| Method        | Best for                                        | Time estimate |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
| Linux Install | First-time local install                        | \~5 minutes   |
| VPS Install   | Production server with systemd + dedicated user | \~10 minutes  |
| Docker        | Container-based workflows, isolation            | \~10 minutes  |
| Render.com    | Hosted deploy from Docker Hub, no server admin  | \~5 minutes   |
| Manual        | Custom setups, advanced users                   | \~15 minutes  |

All four methods produce the same result: a running Comis daemon with a web
dashboard at `http://localhost:4766`. The difference is how much the tooling
handles for you versus how much you configure by hand.

### What Gets Installed

Regardless of which method you choose, Comis sets up:

* **The `comis` CLI** -- a command-line tool for managing your agents, running
  diagnostics, and controlling the daemon.
* **A background daemon** -- the process that keeps your agents running, serves
  the web dashboard, and handles incoming messages from connected channels.
* **A configuration directory** at `~/.comis/` containing your config file,
  environment secrets, and local database.

The setup wizard creates sensible defaults for all of these. The manual path
lets you customize each one individually.

<Info>
  **Already installed?** If Comis is already running and you want to check that
  everything is healthy, skip ahead to the [Verification](/installation/verify)
  page for diagnostic steps.
</Info>

## Before You Begin

Make sure your system meets the minimum requirements before starting any
installation method. The [Requirements](/installation/requirements) page lists
everything you need -- hardware specs, software versions, and AI provider
accounts. Most users only need Node.js 22+, basic build tools, and an API key
from one AI provider.

## Explore the Installation Guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Requirements" icon="clipboard-check" href="/installation/requirements">
    Hardware, software, and account prerequisites.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install on Linux" icon="linux" href="/installation/install-linux">
    Step-by-step procedure for Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install on a VPS" icon="server" href="/installation/install-vps">
    One-line installer for Hostinger, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, and others.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install with Docker" icon="docker" href="/installation/install-docker">
    Container-based setup with Docker Compose.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deploy on Render.com" icon="cloud" href="/installation/install-render">
    Hosted deploy from Docker Hub with persistent disk and HTTPS.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/installation/configuration">
    Customize `config.yaml` and connect channels.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Verification" icon="circle-check" href="/installation/verify">
    Confirm your installation is healthy.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>