# Install Vato Connect

> Install Vato Connect on a server or an always-on computer, sign it in and keep it running as a background service.

Vato Connect makes a machine available to your Vato account: a server, a headless computer or a PC that stays on. You can then run agents on it from Vato Desktop or a terminal, or use it as your team's [central host](../team/central-host.md).

## Two commands, one installer

The installer adds two separate commands:

| Command | Role |
| --- | --- |
| `vato-connect` | Runs the host service that makes this machine available. |
| `vato` | The Vato IDE CLI. It controls agents from a terminal, without the Desktop app. See [The vato ide CLI](vato-ide-cli.md). |

They share the same private runtime but keep separate device identities. Using the CLI never stops or changes the Connect service.

## Before you start

- A Vato account that has been approved. See [Install Vato and sign in](../getting-started/install.md).
- A macOS, Linux or Windows machine with internet access.

You don't need Node.js, npm or administrator rights. The installer downloads its own private Node.js 22 runtime and verifies it, and the Connect package, against their SHA-256 checksums.

## 1. Get the install command

1. On the machine you want to connect, or on any computer, go to the [download page](https://vatoide.com/download.html) and sign in.
2. Find the **Vato Connect + Vato IDE CLI** card.
3. Click **Generate Connect command**. The page shows two commands: **macOS** and **Windows**.
4. Copy the command for the machine's system.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> The command contains a download token that expires after five minutes. Run it right away. If it has expired, go back to the download page and generate a new one. Never reuse an old command.

If the button stays unavailable, your account isn't signed in on the page or hasn't been approved yet.

## 2. Run the installer

### On macOS or Linux

Paste the **macOS** command into a terminal and press Enter. The same command works on Linux.

The installer puts Connect in `~/.vato-connect` and the `vato-connect` and `vato` commands in `~/.local/bin`. If that folder isn't in your `PATH`, the installer tells you to add it.

### On Windows

Paste the **Windows** command into PowerShell and press Enter.

The command saves the installer to a temporary file, runs it, then deletes it. The `vato-connect` and `vato` commands are added to your user `PATH`. Open a new terminal before using them.

> [!TIP]
> If an older PowerShell command of yours ends with `| iex`, don't use it. Generate a fresh command from the download page.

## 3. Sign in the machine

Run:

```bash
vato-connect login
```

Connect prints a sign-in link and opens your browser when it can. Approve the connection with your Vato account. On a headless server, open the printed link on any other device.

When the sign-in succeeds, Connect also installs and starts a persistent user service:

| System | Service |
| --- | --- |
| macOS | `launchd` |
| Linux | `systemd` user service |
| Windows | Scheduled task |

The service starts Connect again automatically if it stops. You don't need to keep a terminal open.

> [!NOTE]
> On Linux, Connect also asks `systemd` to keep the service running after you log out. If the machine's policy refuses this, Connect stays active for your session only and prints the one administrator command that fixes it.

To check the connection at any time, run `vato-connect status`.

## 4. Connect your AI accounts

Connect detects existing Claude, Codex and Gemini logins on the machine automatically. Run `vato-connect accounts list` to see them, or `vato-connect accounts add claude` (or `codex`, `gemini`) to add another account.

For a team central host, skip this step: you connect the team's accounts from Vato Desktop.

## Next steps

- [Set up a team central host](../team/central-host.md)
- [Use this machine from Vato Desktop](remote-machines.md)
- [Control agents from a terminal](vato-ide-cli.md)

Source: https://vatoide.com/docs/connect/install-vato-connect