# Installation — macOS

Install and run ARI.Software on macOS.

## Automated Install

To start the ARI installation, open **Terminal** (⌘+Space, type "Terminal") and paste this command:

```
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://ari.software/install)"
```

The installer will check your system, install any missing tools (Git, Node.js, pnpm, etc.) via Homebrew, clone the ARI repository, and guide you through database setup.

## What the Installer Does

1. Installs required tools (Git, Node.js, pnpm) via Homebrew
2. Clones the ARI repository
3. Runs `pnpm install` to install dependencies
4. Asks you to choose a database option (see below)
5. Configures environment variables based on your choice
6. Initializes the database schema
7. Creates the `./ari` CLI for daily use

After installation, the installer will display your admin credentials and instructions.

## Database

The ARI installer offers three database options:

**PostgreSQL (default)**

The simplest option. Uses a local PostgreSQL server directly — no Docker or Supabase required. The installer will check that PostgreSQL is running, create an `ari` database, and configure the connection automatically. A pgweb database UI is available at `http://localhost:5050` for browsing your database.

If you don't already have PostgreSQL installed, the installer will offer to install it for you via Homebrew.

**Supabase Local**

Runs a full Supabase stack locally inside Docker containers. This gives you access to the Supabase Studio UI at `http://127.0.0.1:54323` for browsing your database.

**Supabase local requires [Docker Desktop for Mac](https://docker.com/products/docker-desktop) to be installed and running. The first start will download the Supabase Docker images, which may take a few minutes.**

**Supabase Cloud**

Connect to a hosted Supabase project at [supabase.com](https://supabase.com). Choose this if you want your database hosted online or plan to deploy ARI to production.

During installation, the database connection is deferred — you will configure your Supabase project URL, anon key, service role key, and connection string through the Welcome Setup Wizard on first launch.

## Welcome Setup Wizard

When you first open ARI in your browser, you will land on the `/welcome` page — an interactive setup wizard that walks you through:

1. **Account** — Create your admin email and password (this is the only account — public sign-up is disabled by default)
2. **Personal** — Set up your profile (name, title, company, location, timezone)
3. **Download** — Download your generated `.env` configuration file

For Supabase Cloud installations, there is an additional step to configure your Supabase project URL, keys, and connection string.

The setup wizard runs once on first launch. After completing it, you will be taken to your ARI dashboard.

## Starting ARI

To start ARI, open Terminal, navigate to the project directory, and run:

```
./ari start
```

Or if you prefer to see full server logs, run it in verbose mode:

```
./ari start --verbose
```

What happens depends on your database mode:

|  | PostgreSQL | Supabase Local | Supabase Cloud |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Database** | Checks PostgreSQL is running | Starts Docker containers | Nothing (hosted) |
| **Extras** | Launches pgweb UI on port 5050 | Generates `.env.supabase.local` | — |
| **Dev server** | Starts Next.js | Starts Next.js | Starts Next.js |

Then open **[http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000)** in your browser.

## Stopping ARI

Press `Ctrl+C` in the terminal to stop the development server.

If you are using Supabase Local, the database containers will continue running in the background. You can stop them from Docker Desktop if you need to free up resources.

## Requirements

**Always required:**

- **Node.js** v18+
- **pnpm** (package manager)
- **Git** (version control)
- **Homebrew** (recommended — used by the installer to install missing tools)

**Additional requirements by database mode:**

|  | PostgreSQL | Supabase Local | Supabase Cloud |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **PostgreSQL** | Yes | — | — |
| **Docker Desktop** | — | Yes | — |
| **Supabase CLI** | — | Yes | — |

The automated installer handles all of these. If any are missing, the installer will offer to install them for you via Homebrew.

## Managed Setup

Prefer not to deal with infrastructure? The Managed Setup plan includes full hosting on your own custom domain, daily backups, and professional setup. Contact [hello@ari.software](mailto:hello@ari.software) for details.

## Next Steps

- [Authentication](https://ari.software/docs/authentication) — Secure your instance
- [Settings](https://ari.software/docs/settings) — Customize your ARI instance
- [Security](https://ari.software/docs/security) — Harden your deployment

## Your Personal Workspace. Your Rules.

Source Code Available. Self-Hosted. Full Data Control. Fully Extendable. AI Native. Dozens of Built-In Modules And Build Your Own In Minutes. No Coding Required.

[Get Started](https://ari.software/docs/installation)

---

Source: https://ari.software/docs/installation-macos

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