> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bedrockdynamics.studio/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

> Download and install Substrate on macOS, Windows, or Linux.

Download the latest release from [bedrockdynamics.studio/download](https://bedrockdynamics.studio/download) and follow the instructions for your platform.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    1. Download the `.dmg` file from [bedrockdynamics.studio/download](https://bedrockdynamics.studio/download).
    2. Open the downloaded `.dmg` to mount the disk image.
    3. Drag **Substrate** into your **Applications** folder.
    4. Launch Substrate from Applications. On first launch, macOS may ask you to confirm that you want to open an application downloaded from the internet.

    <Note>
      Substrate requires macOS 12 (Monterey) or later. Both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs are supported. The universal binary runs natively on both architectures.
    </Note>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    **MSI Installer (recommended)**

    1. Download the `.msi` installer from [bedrockdynamics.studio/download](https://bedrockdynamics.studio/download).
    2. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Substrate will be added to your Start Menu.
    3. Launch Substrate from the Start Menu or desktop shortcut.

    **Portable ZIP**

    If you prefer not to install, download the `.zip` archive, extract it to any folder, and run `Substrate.exe` directly.

    <Note>
      Substrate requires Windows 10 (version 1809) or later with a Vulkan-capable GPU driver.
    </Note>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    Choose the package format that matches your distribution.

    **Debian / Ubuntu**

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo dpkg -i substrate.ubuntu.noble.amd64.deb
    ```

    **Fedora**

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo dnf install substrate-0.4.6-1.fedora41.x86_64.rpm
    ```

    **Generic (tar.gz)**

    For other distributions, use the portable tarball:

    ```bash theme={null}
    tar -xzf substrate-linux-amd64.tar.gz
    ./Substrate/substrate
    ```

    <Note>
      Substrate supports both X11 and Wayland display servers. If you encounter rendering issues on Wayland, try launching with `WAYLAND_DISPLAY= ./substrate` to force the X11 backend.
    </Note>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## System Requirements

| Requirement | Minimum                                                        |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **macOS**   | 12 (Monterey) or later                                         |
| **Windows** | 10 (version 1809) or later                                     |
| **Linux**   | X11 or Wayland with glibc 2.31+                                |
| **GPU**     | Vulkan 1.1 support (or Metal on macOS)                         |
| **RAM**     | 4 GB (8 GB recommended for simulation workloads)               |
| **Disk**    | 500 MB for the application; additional space for Docker images |

<Warning>
  **Docker is required for simulation features.** Substrate uses Docker to run PX4 SITL and Gazebo simulation containers. Install [Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/) (macOS/Windows) or [Docker Engine](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/) (Linux) before launching simulations. The code editor, telemetry viewer, and data playback features work without Docker.
</Warning>

## Verifying Your Installation

After installing, launch Substrate and open the command palette with <kbd>Cmd+Shift+P</kbd> (macOS) or <kbd>Ctrl+Shift+P</kbd> (Windows/Linux). Type "About" and select **Substrate: About** to verify the installed version and check that the GPU backend initialized correctly.

<Tip>
  If the 3D viewer shows a blank panel or an error, check that your GPU drivers are up to date. On Linux, run `vulkaninfo` to confirm Vulkan support. On macOS, Metal is used automatically and requires no additional driver installation.
</Tip>