Get started with Cove

This path takes you from choosing where Cove runs to a small, organized library you can browse and search. Follow it in order for a new installation, or join at the step that matches an existing Cove library.

1. Install Cove

Start with Choose an installation and select one of the supported paths:

• Windows x64
• macOS on Apple silicon
• Linux x64
• Docker with Linux containers on amd64 or arm64

Each page ends when Cove is running and the setup wizard appears in your browser.

2. Complete first-run setup

Complete first-run setup explains the three choices in the shared wizard:

• Start fresh with media paths Cove can scan.
• Import an existing Stash library.
• Restore a Cove database and optional configuration backup.

Fresh libraries continue to the first scan. A populated import or restore can continue directly to the library tour.

3. Learn the essentials

1. Scan your first library with one representative folder and verify the result.
2. Explore your library through the home page, a detail page, and a connected record.
3. Find anything with global search and the controls on a media list.
4. Organize a collection by editing useful metadata and bringing related items together.

When this path is complete, use the User Guide for day-to-day tasks, Developer when you want to change Cove or build an extension, and Reference for exact product behavior.