# How to Install SillyTavern on Windows, Mac and Linux

> Install SillyTavern on a computer in about five minutes with Node.js and Git, then start and update it.

On a computer, SillyTavern lives in a folder you download with Git. You start it with one file and use it in your browser.

First install [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) (the LTS version) and [Git](https://git-scm.com/downloads). On Windows, [Git for Windows](https://gitforwindows.org/) is easiest. Default options are fine.

## Windows

1. Open the folder where you want SillyTavern, for example `Documents`.
2. Right-click an empty spot, choose **Open in Terminal**, and run:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/SillyTavern/SillyTavern -b release
```

3. Open the new `SillyTavern` folder and double-click **Start.bat**.

The first start takes a minute, then your browser opens `http://127.0.0.1:8000`. Keep the black terminal window open while you use SillyTavern.

> [!WARNING]
> Avoid OneDrive folders and `C:\Program Files`. Syncing and permissions there can break updates.

To start it next time, double-click **Start.bat** again. To update, double-click **UpdateAndStart.bat**.

## Mac and Linux

```bash
git clone https://github.com/SillyTavern/SillyTavern -b release
cd SillyTavern
./start.sh
```

Then open `http://127.0.0.1:8000`. Next time, run `cd SillyTavern && ./start.sh`. To update:

```bash
cd SillyTavern && git pull && ./start.sh
```

## Back up your chats

Everything you make is in `SillyTavern/data/default-user`. Copy that folder to back it up or move it to a new install.

## Next steps

[Connect an AI model](/articles/connect-sillytavern-ai), then [set up your first chat](/articles/sillytavern-first-chat).

A local install only works while your computer is on. [Rolezy Plus](https://plus.rolezy.com/) hosts SillyTavern so you can continue the same chats on your phone. Problems? See [Fix common SillyTavern errors](/articles/fix-sillytavern-errors).