Alpha Preview — This software is under active development. Expect rough edges and breaking changes.
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Install Script

Install Hecate on an existing Linux machine

Quick Install

Run this command on any Linux machine with systemd: 

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hecate-social/hecate-install/main/install.sh | bash

Alternative invocations:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hecate-social/hecate-install/main/install.sh | bash -s -- --headless

Non-interactive, all defaults

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hecate-social/hecate-install/main/install.sh | bash -s -- --daemon-only

Headless server — no desktop app

Node Roles

The installer asks which role this node should serve. Each role installs a different set of components.

Standalone

default

Full-featured single node — daemon, desktop app, CLI, and Ollama. The complete workstation experience.

Cluster

Join a BEAM cluster — daemon, CLI, and mesh networking. No desktop app. Ideal for headless servers.

Inference

AI-only node — Ollama plus daemon, optimized for GPU workloads. Serves models to the mesh.

Feature Profiles

In interactive mode the installer asks about each feature profile. Use --headless to accept all defaults.

  • Workstation — Install the desktop app (hecate-web)?
  • Services — Install daemon and GitOps reconciler?
  • AI / Ollama — Local install, remote URL, or skip?

Hardware Detection

The installer automatically detects your hardware and adjusts defaults accordingly.

RAM & CPU

Cores & memory

GPU

CUDA, ROCm, Metal

AVX2

CPU extensions

Storage

Available disk

GPU drivers are optional. The installer will detect NVIDIA, AMD, or Apple GPUs if drivers are present, and configure Ollama accordingly.

Prerequisites

  • Linux — Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, Fedora 36+, or Arch Linux
  • systemd — for service management (most distros include this)
  • curl — for downloading the install script
The script will install podman if not already present. Docker is not required. GPU drivers (NVIDIA CUDA, AMD ROCm) are optional for AI workloads.

After Installation

Check status

hecate status

Join a Realm

Use the Hecate desktop app or CLI to join your node to a Realm: 

hecate join

View logs

hecate logs

Where Things Live

Path Purpose
~/.hecate/hecate-daemon/ Daemon data (SQLite, ReckonDB, sockets)
~/.hecate/gitops/ Per-node deployment configuration
~/.hecate/secrets/ Encrypted API keys and credentials
~/.config/systemd/user/ Systemd service files