# Install Station

[Wiki](../README.md) / [Station](README.md)

Station is one download per platform, from the
[Station page](https://galactusdb.com/product/station). The page shows each download's
SHA-256 so you can check the file before you open it.

| Platform | Download | Runs on |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | `gdbstation-<version>-windows-x64.zip` | 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 |
| macOS | `gdbstation-<version>-macos-universal.zip` | macOS 11 or later, Apple silicon and Intel |
| Linux | `gdbstation-<version>-linux-x64.tar.gz` | x86_64 Linux with glibc 2.35 or later, on an X11 or Wayland desktop with OpenGL |

## Windows

1. Unzip the download. It holds `gdbstation.exe`, a short README and the licence. There is
   nothing to install: keep the folder wherever you keep your tools.
2. Open `gdbstation.exe`. The first time, Windows SmartScreen asks whether to run a program
   it has not seen before. Choose **More info**, then **Run anyway**. Windows remembers your
   answer for that file.

## macOS

1. Unzip the download. It holds **Galactus DB Station.app**, one app for Apple silicon and
   Intel Macs. Drag it to Applications, or open it where it is.
2. The first time, macOS asks before opening an app from outside the App Store.
   Control-click the app, choose **Open**, then **Open** again. You can also allow it in
   **System Settings › Privacy & Security**.

## Linux

1. Unpack the archive: `tar -xzf gdbstation-<version>-linux-x64.tar.gz`. It holds the
   `gdbstation` program, a desktop launcher and icon, `install.sh`, a short README and the
   licence.
2. Run `./gdbstation` from the folder. To add Station to your applications menu, run
   `./install.sh`: it copies the program to `~/.local/bin` and the launcher and icon into
   `~/.local/share`.

Station keeps passwords in the Secret Service, which GNOME Keyring and KWallet provide. Most
desktops run one already.

## First start

Station opens on the **Explore** view with an instance called **local** ready in the
Servers panel. Press **Start server** (or ▶ on the instance's row) and the database is up on
`bolt://127.0.0.1:7687`, with database `galactus` and user `gdb`. Station makes a strong
password for `gdb` and keeps it in your operating system's credential store; **Copy
password** on the Server view puts it on the clipboard for your own applications.

Write a query in the editor and press **Ctrl+Enter** (**⌘↵** on macOS) to run it.

## Where your files are

Instances, settings, snippets, history and backups live in one folder per user:

| Platform | Folder | Passwords |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | `%APPDATA%\Galactus\Station` | Windows Credential Manager |
| macOS | `~/Library/Application Support/Galactus Station` | Keychain |
| Linux | `~/.local/share/galactus-station` (or under `$XDG_DATA_HOME`) | Secret Service |

Each instance's data is in `instances/<name>` inside that folder, unless you chose another
folder for it. **Show in folder** on the Server view opens it. Passwords never go in
Station's files.

## Updating

Download the new release and open it in place of the old one. Your instances, connections,
snippets and history stay where they are, in the folder above, and the new version picks
them up.

## Related articles

[Servers and databases](servers.md) · [Write and run queries](queries.md) · [Keyboard and mouse](keyboard.md)