InvokeAI/docs/installation/quick_start.md

# Invoke Community Edition Quick Start

Welcome to Invoke! Follow these steps to install, update, and get started creating.

## Step 1: System Requirements

Invoke runs on Windows 10+, macOS 14+ and Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ is well-tested).

Hardware requirements vary significantly depending on model and image output size. The requirements below are rough guidelines.

- All Apple Silicon (M1, M2, etc) Macs work, but 16GB+ memory is recommended.
- AMD GPUs are supported on Linux only. The VRAM requirements are the same as Nvidia GPUs.

!!! info "Hardware Requirements (Windows/Linux)"

    === "SD1.5 - 512×512"

        - GPU: Nvidia 10xx series or later, 4GB+ VRAM.
        - Memory: At least 8GB RAM.
        - Disk: 10GB for base installation plus 30GB for models.

    === "SDXL - 1024×1024"

        - GPU: Nvidia 20xx series or later, 8GB+ VRAM.
        - Memory: At least 16GB RAM.
        - Disk: 10GB for base installation plus 100GB for models.

    === "FLUX - 1024×1024"

        - GPU: Nvidia 20xx series or later, 10GB+ VRAM.
        - Memory: At least 32GB RAM.
        - Disk: 10GB for base installation plus 200GB for models.

More detail on system requirements can be found [here](./requirements.md).

## Step 2: Download and Set Up the Launcher

The Launcher manages your Invoke install. Follow these instructions to download and set up the Launcher.

!!! info "Instructions for each OS"

    === "Windows"

        - [Download for Windows](https://github.com/invoke-ai/launcher/releases/latest/download/Invoke.Community.Edition.Setup.latest.exe)
        - Run the `EXE` to install the Launcher and start it.
        - A desktop shortcut will be created; use this to run the Launcher in the future.
        - You can delete the `EXE` file you downloaded.

    === "macOS"

        - [Download for macOS](https://github.com/invoke-ai/launcher/releases/latest/download/Invoke.Community.Edition-latest-arm64.dmg)
        - Open the `DMG` and drag the app into `Applications`.
        - Run the Launcher using its entry in `Applications`.
        - You can delete the `DMG` file you downloaded.

    === "Linux"

        - [Download for Linux](https://github.com/invoke-ai/launcher/releases/latest/download/Invoke.Community.Edition-latest.AppImage)
        - You may need to edit the `AppImage` file properties and make it executable.
        - Optionally move the file to a location that does not require admin privileges and add a desktop shortcut for it.
        - Run the Launcher by double-clicking the `AppImage` or the shortcut you made.

## Step 3: Install Invoke

Run the Launcher you just set up if you haven't already. Click **Install** and follow the instructions to install (or update) Invoke.

If you have an existing Invoke installation, you can select it and let the launcher manage the install. You'll be able to update or launch the installation.

!!! tip "Updating"

    The Launcher will check for updates for itself _and_ Invoke.

    - When the Launcher detects an update is available for itself, you'll get a small popup window. Click through this and the Launcher will update itself.
    - When the Launcher detects an update for Invoke, you'll see a small green alert in the Launcher. Click that and follow the instructions to update Invoke.

## Step 4: Launch

Once installed, click **Finish**, then **Launch** to start Invoke.

The very first run after an installation or update will take a few extra moments to get ready.

!!! tip "Server Mode"

    The launcher runs Invoke as a desktop application. You can enable **Server Mode** in the launcher's settings to disable this and instead access the UI through your web browser.

## Step 5: Install Models

With Invoke started up, you'll need to install some models.

The quickest way to get started is to install a **Starter Model** bundle. If you already have a model collection, Invoke can use it.

!!! info "Install Models"

    === "Install a Starter Model bundle"

        1. Go to the **Models** tab.
        2. Click **Starter Models** on the right.
        3. Click one of the bundles to install its models. Refer to the [system requirements](#step-1-confirm-system-requirements) if you're unsure which model architecture will work for your system.

    === "Use my model collection"

        4. Go to the **Models** tab.
        5. Click **Scan Folder** on the right.
        6. Paste the path to your models collection and click **Scan Folder**.
        7. With **In-place install** enabled, Invoke will leave the model files where they are. If you disable this, **Invoke will move the models into its own folders**.

You’re now ready to start creating!

## Step 6: Learn the Basics

We recommend watching our [Getting Started Playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWK1Kc8iXGrQy8r9TYg6QdUuJ5MMx-ZO). It covers essential features and workflows, including:

- Generating your first image.
- Using control layers and reference guides.
- Refining images with advanced workflows.

## Troubleshooting

If installation fails, retrying the install in Repair Mode may fix it. There's a checkbox to enable this on the Review step of the install flow.

If that doesn't fix it, [clearing the `uv` cache](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/reference/cli/#uv-cache-clean) might do the trick:

- Open and start the dev console (button at the bottom-left of the launcher).
- Run `uv cache clean`.
- Retry the installation. Enable Repair Mode for good measure.

If you are still unable to install, try installing to a different location and see if that works.

If you still have problems, ask for help on the Invoke [discord](https://discord.gg/ZmtBAhwWhy).

## Other Installation Methods

- You can install the Invoke application as a python package. See our [manual install](./manual.md) docs.
- You can run Invoke with docker. See our [docker install](./docker.md) docs.

## Need Help?

- Visit our [Support Portal](https://support.invoke.ai).
- Watch the [Getting Started Playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWK1Kc8iXGrQy8r9TYg6QdUuJ5MMx-ZO).
- Join the conversation on [Discord][discord link].

[discord link]: https://discord.gg/ZmtBAhwWhy