# Install Vato and sign in

> Download Vato Desktop for macOS or Windows, open it for the first time and connect your Vato account.

This guide takes you from nothing to a signed-in Vato Desktop. It takes about five minutes.

## Before you start

You need a **Vato account**. If you don't have one yet, create it on [vatoide.com](https://vatoide.com/signup.html).

| | Minimum |
| --- | --- |
| macOS | 13 Ventura or later, Apple Silicon or Intel |
| Windows | Windows 10 (build 1909) or later, 64-bit |
| Memory | 8 GB, 16 GB recommended |
| Disk | 1.2 GB for the app and its index |

> [!IMPORTANT]
> New accounts may need to be approved by a Vato administrator before they can download the app. If the download page shows **Account approval required**, your account is waiting for approval.

## Download the app

1. Go to the [download page](https://vatoide.com/download.html) and sign in if you are asked to.
2. The page detects your system. Check the selected build:
   - **Apple Silicon** for Macs with an M-series chip.
   - **Intel** for older Macs. Pick this card yourself: it is never selected automatically.
   - **x64** for Windows.
3. Click **Download for** your system.

## Install and open Vato

### On macOS

1. Open the downloaded `.dmg` file.
2. Drag **Vato IDE** into the **Applications** folder.
3. Open **Vato IDE** from Applications or Spotlight.

If macOS says the app can't be opened, go to **System Settings → Privacy & Security** and choose **Open Anyway**.

### On Windows

1. Run the downloaded `Vato-Setup-….exe` installer.
2. If Windows SmartScreen shows a warning, click **More info**, then **Run anyway**.
3. Follow the installer, then open **Vato IDE** from the Start menu.

## Sign in to your account

When Vato opens for the first time, it shows **Login required**.

1. Click **Sign in**. Your web browser opens the Vato sign-in page.
2. Sign in with your Vato account in the browser.
3. Come back to Vato. The app picks up your session on its own; you don't need to copy any code.

While Vato waits for you, it shows **Waiting for login…**. If you don't finish within five minutes, you will see **Sign-in timed out. Try again.** Click **Sign in** to start again.

> [!TIP]
> Vato keeps your session in your system keychain, so you only sign in once per computer.

### If you see "Approval required"

Your account exists but hasn't been approved yet. Once it is approved, click **Try again**.

## The welcome guide

The first time you sign in, Vato shows a short guide called **Discover Vato**. Use **Next** and **Previous** to go through it, or **Later** to close it.

You can open it again at any time from **Settings → General → Vato's general guide → Open the guide**.

## Updates

Vato checks for updates when it starts and regularly while it runs. When a new version is available, a small **Update** button appears at the bottom of the Agent sidebar:

1. Click **Update** to download the new version. The button shows the download progress.
2. Vato installs the update and reopens on the new version, with your conversations intact. If it hasn't reopened yet, click **Restart**.

More details in [Updates](updates.md).

## Next step

Your app is ready. [Start your first conversation](../agents/first-conversation.md).

Source: https://vatoide.com/docs/getting-started/install