+++
disableToc = false
title = "Getting started"
weight = 2
icon = "rocket_launch"
type = "chapter"
+++

Welcome to LocalAI! This section takes you from a fresh install to a working chat, a working API call, and your first customized model. Follow the pages in order the first time through; each one builds on the previous.

{{% notice tip %}}
**Haven't installed LocalAI yet?**

See the [Installation guide]({{% relref "getting-started/install" %}}) first. **Docker is the recommended installation method** for most users.
{{% /notice %}}

## The path

1. **Install** LocalAI (see the [Installation guide]({{% relref "getting-started/install" %}})).
2. **[Quickstart]({{% relref "getting-started/quickstart" %}})** - start LocalAI, install your first model, and get your first chat reply from both the web interface and the API.
3. **[Install and run models]({{% relref "getting-started/models" %}})** - the different ways to install models (gallery, Hugging Face, OCI, local files) and run them.
4. **[Try it out]({{% relref "getting-started/try-it-out" %}})** - copy-paste examples for every OpenAI-compatible endpoint (chat, vision, functions, audio, images, embeddings).
5. **[Customize models]({{% relref "getting-started/customize-model" %}})** - edit model configuration and prompt templates to tune behavior.
6. **[Troubleshooting]({{% relref "getting-started/troubleshooting" %}})** - fixes for the most common install and startup problems.

Once you have a model answering, the [Build your first agent]({{% relref "getting-started/first-agent" %}}) walkthrough shows how to turn that model into an autonomous agent that can use tools.