Install your first host

Requirements

This guide is for invited pilot participants. Public sign-up, downloads and payments are not available; obtain setup instructions from the operator.

Start with an x86-64 Linux machine running Debian 13 or Ubuntu 24.04 or later. NixOS uses a module. Have a Linux account with a real login shell for each person. A GPU encoder is recommended, particularly for games.

The computer you connect from can run Windows or macOS: it uses the browser, with no Darpan client installation. Chrome or Edge is the initial browser target; our automated coverage currently runs Chromium on Linux, and real Windows/Mac acceptance is still pending. Some browsers keep system shortcuts or lack keyboard lock. Darpan’s host installer currently supports Linux; Windows and macOS host installers are not available.

Install

Public installers are coming soon. Use only the setup instructions and artifacts supplied by your pilot operator; inspect and verify them before installation. Host setup requires administrator access and explicit local-user configuration.

Configure local access

Edit /etc/darpan/darpan.env as root. Set DARPAN_ALLOW to a comma-separated list of existing Linux users. Pair the host, then set DARPAN_PUBLIC_ORIGIN to the exact HTTPS URL shown by pairing. Also set DARPAN_CLOUD_URL to the app origin, and enable DARPAN_CLOUD_SSO, DARPAN_CLOUD_SSO_ONLY and DARPAN_CLOUD_RELAY as described in the installed environment file.

Never use an AI agent account as a human login. Cloud sign-in still checks the host’s local account policy.

Pair and start

Follow pairing, then start the services:

sudo systemctl enable --now darpan darpan-connect

Open the assigned HTTPS address. Sign in to the cloud account mapped to your Linux account and choose your desktop. The host must remain powered on.

Verify before everyday use

Try typing, sound, a disconnect and reconnect, and the applications you need. Try from an outside network too. The pilot uses direct/STUN connectivity; paid plans and relay services are disabled. If your network requires a relay, video may not connect. Contact the operator and see troubleshooting.