# Installing WeeWX

If you're an old hand at installing software on Unix systems, you may be able to
use one of our _Quickstart guides_:

* [Debian](../../quickstarts/debian) - including Ubuntu, Mint, Raspberry Pi 
  OS, Devuan. Uses `apt`.
* [Redhat](../../quickstarts/redhat) - including Fedora, CentOS, Rocky. Uses `yum`.
* [SUSE](../../quickstarts/suse) - including openSUSE. Uses `zypper`.
* [pip](../../quickstarts/pip) - any operating system. Uses `pip`
* [git](../../quickstarts/git) - any operating system. Run directly from repository.

Otherwise, continue on...

## Required skills

In the world of open-source hobbyist software, WeeWX is pretty easy to install
and configure. There are not many package dependencies, the configuration is
simple, and this guide includes extensive instructions. There are thousands of
people who have successfully done an install. However, there is no
"point-and-click" interface, so you will have to do some manual configuring.

You should have the following skills:

* The patience to read and follow this guide.

* Willingness and ability to edit a configuration file.

* Some familiarity with Linux or other Unix derivatives.

* Ability to do simple Unix tasks such as changing file permissions and
  running commands.

No programming experience is necessary unless you wish to extend WeeWX. In
this case, you should be comfortable programming in Python.

If you get stuck, there is a very active
[User's Group](https://groups.google.com/g/weewx-user) to help.


## Installation overview

This is an outline of the process to install, configure, and run WeeWX:

* Check the [_Hardware guide_](../../hardware/drivers).  This will let you
  know of any features, limitations, or quirks of your hardware. If your weather
  station is not in the guide, you will have to download the driver after you
  install WeeWX.

* Install WeeWX. Use the step-by-step instructions in one of the
  [installation methods](#installation-methods).

* If the driver for your hardware if it is not included with WeeWX, install
  the driver as explained in the [installing a driver](#installing-a-driver)
  section.

* Configure the hardware. This involves setting things like the onboard
  archive interval, rain bucket size, etc. You may have to follow directions
  given by your hardware manufacturer, or you may be able to use the utility
  [weectl device](../../utilities/weectl-device).

* Run WeeWX by launching the `weewxd` program, either
  [directly](../running/#running-directly), or as a
  [daemon](../running/#running-as-a-daemon).

* Customize the installation. Typically, this is done by changing settings in
  the WeeWX [application configuration
  file](../../reference/weewx-options/introduction/) (typically, `weewx.conf`).
  For example, you might want to [register your
  station](../../reference/weewx-options/stdrestful/#stationregistry), so it
  shows up on a world-wide map of WeeWX installations. To make changes to reports,
  see the [_Customization Guide_](../../custom/introduction/).


## Installation methods

There are several different ways to install WeeWX.

<table>
  <tr><td>Installer</td><td>Systems</td><td>Best for...</td></tr>
  <tr>
    <td><a href="../../quickstarts/debian">Debian</a></td>
    <td>including Ubuntu, Mint, Raspberry Pi OS, Devuan</td>
    <td rowspan=3>
      The Debian, Redhat, and SUSE package installers use <em>apt</em>, 
      <em>yum</em>, and <em>zypper</em>, respectively. This is the fastest 
      and easiest way to get up and running. You will need root access to 
      install and run.
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><a href="../../quickstarts/redhat">Redhat</a></td>
    <td>including Fedora, CentOS, Rocky</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><a href="../../quickstarts/suse">SUSE</a></td>
    <td>including openSUSE</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><a href="../../quickstarts/pip">pip</a></td>
    <td>any operating system</td>
    <td>
The pip installer will work on any operating system. Use this approach for macOS
or one of the BSDs, or if you are using an older operating system. When used in
a "virtual environment" (recommended), this approach is least likely to disturb
other applications on your computer. This is also a good approach if you plan to
do a lot of customization, or if you are developing a driver, skin, or other
extension. Root access is not needed to install, but may be needed to run.
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td><a href="../../quickstarts/git">git</a></td>
    <td>any operating system</td>
    <td>
If you want to install WeeWX on a system with very little storage, or if you
want to experiment with code that is under development, then you may want to
run directly from the WeeWX sources.  Root access is not needed to install, but 
may be needed to run.
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>

## Installing a driver

If your hardware requires a driver that is not included with WeeWX, use the
WeeWX extension management utility to download and install the driver.

First locate the driver for your hardware - start by looking in the drivers
section of the [WeeWX Wiki](https://github.com/weewx/weewx/wiki#drivers). You
will need the URL for the driver release; the URL will refer to a `zip` or
`tgz` file.

Then install the driver, using the driver's URL:
```
weectl extension install https://github.com/path/to/driver.zip
```

Finally, reconfigure WeeWX to use the driver:
```
weectl station reconfigure
```

See the documentation for [`weectl
extension`](../../utilities/weectl-extension) for details.