> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://anaconda.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting started with Anaconda Desktop

export const TroubleshootSolution = ({children}) => <>
    <hr className="my-3 w-full" />
    <details className="mt-3">
      <summary className="cursor-pointer font-semibold text-base mb-1">
        Solution
      </summary>
      <div className="mt-2 ml-4" data-component-part="step-content">
        {children}
      </div>
    </details>
  </>;

export const TroubleshootCause = ({children}) => <details className="mt-3 mb-2">
    <summary className="cursor-pointer font-semibold text-base mb-1">
      Cause
    </summary>
    <div className="mt-2 ml-4" data-component-part="step-content">
      {children}
    </div>
  </details>;

export const TroubleshootTitle = ({children}) => <>
    <p className="m-0 font-semibold text-xl leading-tight mb-2" role="heading" aria-level={3}>
      {children}
    </p>
    <hr className="my-3 w-full" />
  </>;

export const Troubleshoot = ({children}) => <div className="callout my-4 px-5 py-4 overflow-hidden rounded-2xl flex gap-3 border troubleshoot-admonition dark:troubleshoot-admonition" data-callout-type="troubleshoot">
    <div className="mt-0.5 w-4">
      <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 640 640" fill="currentColor" className="w-4 h-4" aria-label="Troubleshoot">
        <path d="M541.4 162.6C549 155 561.7 156.9 565.5 166.9C572.3 184.6 576 203.9 576 224C576 312.4 504.4 384 416 384C398.5 384 381.6 381.2 365.8 376L178.9 562.9C150.8 591 105.2 591 77.1 562.9C49 534.8 49 489.2 77.1 461.1L264 274.2C258.8 258.4 256 241.6 256 224C256 135.6 327.6 64 416 64C436.1 64 455.4 67.7 473.1 74.5C483.1 78.3 484.9 91 477.4 98.6L388.7 187.3C385.7 190.3 384 194.4 384 198.6L384 240C384 248.8 391.2 256 400 256L441.4 256C445.6 256 449.7 254.3 452.7 251.3L541.4 162.6z" />
      </svg>
    </div>
    <div className="prose min-w-0 w-full">{children}</div>
  </div>;

<Note>
  Anaconda Desktop is currently available through a limited early access program. [Anaconda AI Navigator](/docs/legacy/ai-navigator/getting-started-ai-navigator) provides many of the same capabilities and is available to all users.
</Note>

This guide is designed to walk you through the essential steps to begin using Anaconda Desktop. It provides guidance on signing in, launching applications, downloading models, chatting with a model, and loading models into the API server.

## Before you start

Make sure you have [Anaconda Desktop installed](/docs/anaconda-desktop/install-desktop).

## Launching Desktop

Open Desktop using the following instructions:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows">
    From the Start menu, search for "Anaconda Desktop" and select to open.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    Open Launchpad, then select the Anaconda Desktop icon.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    Open your applications menu and select Anaconda Desktop.

    <Note>
      This step describes the Ubuntu GUI application launch process. To launch Anaconda Desktop on a different Linux distribution, follow the application launch steps for your Linux distribution.
    </Note>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Signing in

Anaconda Desktop requires you to have an Anaconda account to sign in. If you're a part of an Anaconda Platform organization, sign in with your assigned credentials.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/mqCqnMn3Be56PnQf/images/desktop_sign_in.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mqCqnMn3Be56PnQf&q=85&s=9de5fd67e6415ac0f4602146f69459ef" alt="Desktop sign in page" width="3460" height="2164" data-path="images/desktop_sign_in.png" />
</Frame>

## Understanding Desktop

### The Dashboard

When Desktop opens, you'll start at the <Icon icon="house-chimney" iconType="light" /> **Dashboard**, where you're provided a few ideas on how to get started. After you've interacted with Desktop by, for example, downloading a model or starting a chat, your most recent activities will appear on your dashboard.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/U4GowuuC787_II86/images/desktop_dashboard.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U4GowuuC787_II86&q=85&s=59d0f80e5c1f62a8d756a53a3aaa59f3" alt="Desktop Dashboard with recent model and chat activities" width="3460" height="2172" data-path="images/desktop_dashboard.png" />
</Frame>

From the **Recents** table, you can return to a previous chat, start a new chat with a model (`text-generation` type models only), or start an API server. Hover over a table row and select <Icon icon="message" iconType="light" /> **Chat** or <Icon icon="server" iconType="light" /> **Start Server**. Select the <Icon icon="ellipsis-vertical" iconType="regular" /> **Actions** menu to <Icon icon="trash-can" iconType="light" /> **Delete** a table item.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/U4GowuuC787_II86/images/desktop_dashboard_actions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U4GowuuC787_II86&q=85&s=c0cd5244630b31766c8c361d79d2e1be" alt="Recents table showing Chat, Start Server, and Actions" width="3460" height="2172" data-path="images/desktop_dashboard_actions.png" />
</Frame>

You can also download one of Anaconda's recommended models from your dashboard. Select the model's tile to view the model details, select a file <Tooltip tip="Quantization reduces a model's parameter precision to improve memory efficiency or accuracy. It's like condensing a 300-page manual to 50 pages of essential information.">quantization</Tooltip> level, then select <Icon icon="arrow-down-to-line" iconType="regular" /> **Download**.

The downloaded model appears in the **Recents** table on your dashboard and the <Icon icon="brain-circuit" iconType="light" /> [**AI Models**](/docs/anaconda-desktop/models) page.

### Navigating Desktop

Let's take a look at the Anaconda Desktop navigation menu.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/U4GowuuC787_II86/images/desktop_nav.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U4GowuuC787_II86&q=85&s=b950a015aec8b8570c02bb27080b842d" alt="Desktop navigation menu with Home, AI Models, Model Servers, Catalog, and other options" style={{ height: "400px" }} width="448" height="1156" data-path="images/desktop_nav.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="New" icon={<Icon icon="plus" iconType="light" />}>
    Quickly open a new chat or navigate to the **Model Catalog** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Dashboard" icon={<Icon icon="house-chimney" iconType="light" />}>
    See your most recent activity, view and download popular models, and access learning materials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI Models" icon={<Icon icon="brain-circuit" iconType="light" />}>
    View your [downloaded models](/docs/anaconda-desktop/models).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Model Servers" icon={<Icon icon="server" iconType="light" />}>
    Start an [API server](/docs/anaconda-desktop/servers) to interact with your models.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Model Catalog" icon={<Icon icon="lightbulb" iconType="light" />}>
    [Search, filter, and download models](/docs/anaconda-desktop/model-catalog) to interact with locally.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Documentation" icon={<Icon icon="book-sparkles" iconType="light" />}>
    Visit Anaconda's Desktop documentation (you're already here!).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Support" icon={<Icon icon="circle-question" iconType="light" />}>
    Open a [Support ticket](https://support.anaconda.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=37435274912659) to request help with a technical issue.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  You can toggle <Icon icon="moon" iconType="light" /> **Dark Mode** on and off from your profile icon.

  <Frame>
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/mqCqnMn3Be56PnQf/images/desktop_dark_mode.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mqCqnMn3Be56PnQf&q=85&s=959692aa0d4d48a42012311b54f0710c" alt="Desktop dark mode toggle." width="3460" height="1524" data-path="images/desktop_dark_mode.png" />
  </Frame>
</Tip>

## Downloading and interacting with models

A typical workflow in Desktop might start with browsing available models and downloading one, then chatting with the model to understand its capabilities, and finally using it in a development workflow with the API server.

### Exploring and downloading models

If you haven't downloaded a model yet, you can explore Anaconda's curated collection:

1. Select <Icon icon="lightbulb" iconType="light" /> **Model Catalog** from the left-hand navigation.
2. Browse the available models or use the [search and filter options](/docs/anaconda-desktop/model-catalog#filtering-models) to find one that suits your needs.
3. Select a model tile to view its details, including resource requirements and performance information.
4. Select a **Quantization Method** from the dropdown.
5. Select <Icon icon="arrow-down-to-line" iconType="regular" /> **Download** to download the model locally.

<Note>
  Models are listed alphabetically by name. Verify that you have the available disk space and RAM required before you download a model. Most models fall between 2-10 GB, but some require up to 150 GB of storage space.
</Note>

For more information about models and quantization methods, see [Model Catalog](/docs/anaconda-desktop/model-catalog).

### Chatting with a model

Once you have a model downloaded, the easiest way to interact with it is through the chat interface:

<Note>
  You can only chat with models labeled `text-generation`. Learn more about [model types](/docs/anaconda-desktop/model-catalog#model-types-and-tags).
</Note>

1. Select <Icon icon="house-chimney" iconType="light" /> **Dashboard** from the left-hand navigation.
2. Locate your downloaded model in the **Recents** table.
3. Hover over the model and select <Icon icon="message" iconType="light" /> **Chat**.
4. Enter a prompt to start chatting with the model!

Alternatively, you can navigate to <Icon icon="brain-circuit" iconType="light" /> **AI Models**, hover over the model, and select <Icon icon="message" iconType="light" /> **Chat**.

For more information on using the chat feature, see [Chat](/docs/anaconda-desktop/chat).

### Starting an API server

If you want to test a model's performance within applications you're developing, load the model into the built-in API server:

1. Select <Icon icon="server" iconType="light" /> **Model Servers** from the left-hand navigation.
2. Choose your model from the **Model** dropdown.
3. Select your model file from the **File** dropdown.
4. Configure your server settings (address, port, API key) as needed.
5. Select <Icon icon="play" iconType="solid" /> **Start** to start the server.

Alternatively, you can navigate to <Icon icon="brain-circuit" iconType="light" /> **AI Models**, hover over the model, and select <Icon icon="server" iconType="light" /> **Start Server**.

Your model is now accessible via API calls at the specified server address for use in your own applications.

For more information about the API server, see [API server](/docs/anaconda-desktop/servers).

## Troubleshooting

<Troubleshoot>
  <TroubleshootTitle>
    ### Unable to retrieve local user environment error in Anaconda Desktop on Windows
  </TroubleshootTitle>

  <TroubleshootCause>
    Windows limits file paths to 260 characters by default. Anaconda Desktop stores packages under a nested path inside `%USERPROFILE%\.anaconda-desktop\micromamba\envs\pkgs\`. Some packages include test files nested deep enough to exceed this limit, causing micromamba to report `Invalid package cache` or `Package cache error` and abort the install. This surfaces as an `INSTALL_FAILED` error in the logs and an "Unable to retrieve local user environments" notification in the Desktop UI.
  </TroubleshootCause>

  <TroubleshootSolution>
    1. Enable Win32 long paths using the method that matches your Windows edition:

           <Tabs>
             <Tab title="Pro/Enterprise">
               1. In the Windows Search bar, type "group policy" and select **Edit group policy** from the results.

               2. In the left panel, navigate to **Computer Configuration** > **Administrative Templates**.

               3. In the right panel, select **System**, then select **Filesystem**.

               4. In the right panel, double-click **Enable Win32 long paths**.

                          <Frame>
                            <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/f8FQE_YQMXFuFM8M/images/windows-long-paths.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=f8FQE_YQMXFuFM8M&q=85&s=729e28a58534e6dc51644e0bcbebaa41" alt="Group Policy Editor showing the Enable Win32 long paths setting inside Filesystem policies" width="3136" height="2050" data-path="images/windows-long-paths.png" />
                          </Frame>

               5. Select **Enabled**, then click **OK**.

               6. Close the editor.
             </Tab>

             <Tab title="All editions">
               1. In the Windows Search bar, type "registry editor" and select **Registry Editor** from the results.

               2. In the address bar at the top, paste the following path and press Enter:

                  ```
                  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
                  ```

                          <Frame>
                            <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/f8FQE_YQMXFuFM8M/images/windows-long-paths-all-editions.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=f8FQE_YQMXFuFM8M&q=85&s=a32aa937e59a71b7ef2340a1413da02b" alt="Registry Editor window showing the file system settings. The address bar displays HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem" width="1752" height="746" data-path="images/windows-long-paths-all-editions.png" />
                          </Frame>

               3. In the right panel, double-click `LongPathsEnabled`.

               4. Change the **Value data** field from `0` to `1`, then click **OK**.

               5. Close the Registry Editor.
             </Tab>
           </Tabs>

    2. Reboot your machine.

    3. Clear the package cache to remove any corrupt entries by deleting the contents of the following folder:

       ```
       %USERPROFILE%\.anaconda-desktop\micromamba\envs\pkgs
       ```

    4. Restart Anaconda Desktop and wait for it to finish setting up your environment.

    If the issue persists, delete the entire `%USERPROFILE%\.anaconda-desktop\micromamba` folder and restart the app.
  </TroubleshootSolution>
</Troubleshoot>

## What's next?

Now that you have Desktop set up and running:

* **Learn with tutorials**: Get hands-on experience by building a [chatbot application](/docs/anaconda-desktop/tutorials/chatbot-tutorial) or [text comparison tool](/docs/anaconda-desktop/tutorials/embedding-tutorial) with step-by-step guidance.
* **Explore different models**: Try various models or quantization methods to see how they handle different types of tasks.
* **Use the Desktop API**: Explore the [Desktop API](/docs/anaconda-desktop/desktop-api/getting-started) to programmatically manage models, control servers, and integrate Desktop's capabilities directly into your applications.
* **Dive deeper**: Check out the user guide for detailed information on [chat settings](/docs/anaconda-desktop/chat), [API servers](/docs/anaconda-desktop/servers), [resource consumption](/docs/anaconda-desktop/resource-consumption), and [settings](/docs/anaconda-desktop/settings).