# Getting started

Source: https://heyparlour.app/docs/getting-started

> Install Parlour on a Mac, answer a few questions, and talk to it tonight.

You will need a Mac with Node 22 or later and [Homebrew](https://brew.sh).
`init` fetches the rest for you (ffmpeg, whisper.cpp and the models) through
`brew`.

```sh
npm install -g parlour
parlour init
parlour text          # have a conversation in the terminal, no microphone needed
parlour start         # the real thing, unless init already set it to run at login
```

Rather not use a terminal? [The menu bar app](/docs/desktop) does the same
setup in a window.

## What `init` asks

`init` walks you through it with arrow keys and a handful of questions: what
this machine is, which local model to run, your Home Assistant, an Anthropic
key if you would like the cloud behind it, and preferences like the wake word
and the voice. Escape goes back a question, and nothing is downloaded or
written until a last screen has shown every answer and you have said yes. It
writes `~/.config/parlour/config.json` and `secrets.env`, offers to run
Parlour at login, and finishes by running `parlour doctor` so you know
everything is in place. Changed your mind later? Run `init` again: every
answer defaults to what is already set.

## The local model comes with it

`init` looks at how much memory the Mac has, suggests the largest model it can
hold comfortably, downloads it, and keeps
[llama.cpp](https://github.com/ggml-org/llama.cpp) serving it at login
alongside whisper. Nothing to install by hand and nothing to remember to
start. `parlour models suggest` shows the catalogue and which one it would
pick.

If you would rather run the model yourself, say so and point
`llm.local.baseUrl` at whatever you have: [LM Studio](https://lmstudio.ai)
(`init` still offers to install it), Ollama, or a box in the cupboard.
Anything that speaks the OpenAI chat completions API will do.

## Home Assistant

Home Assistant gets its own part of `init`: it looks for your Home Assistant
on the network, tells you exactly where to make a long lived token, checks the
token as you paste it, and checks the MCP Server integration is switched on.
Each of those fails in the same silent way, so each one is checked as it is
answered rather than all three landing in `parlour doctor` half an hour later.
Say no and the house is left out entirely. [Home Assistant](/docs/home-assistant)
has the rest.

## The cloud is optional

Leave the Anthropic key empty and Parlour runs local only: the local model
keeps every tool, answers everything itself, and not a word leaves the house.

## Next

- [The commands](/docs/commands), for everything the CLI can do.
- [Skills, MCP and plugins](/docs/skills), to teach it your house and give it more to do.
- [Clients](/docs/clients) and [the iOS app](/docs/ios), to reach it from other rooms.
- [Tuning](/docs/tuning), when it wakes for the television.