---
url: /intro/getting-started.md
---
# Getting started

From a running server to your first camera. If the server isn't installed yet, start with [Installation](/install/).

## 1. Open camera.ui

camera.ui runs over **HTTPS**. How you open it depends on how you installed it:

* **Desktop app.** It opens automatically when you launch it (in Server mode it starts the server for you).
* **Server** (Docker, Proxmox, bare-metal). Open `https://<server-ip>:3443` in your browser, or `https://localhost:3443` on the same machine.

::: warning First-visit certificate warning
camera.ui uses a **self-signed certificate**, so the browser warns on the first visit. Continue with **Advanced → Proceed**. To get rid of the warning, install the certificate from **Settings → System → Certificate**.
:::

## 2. Sign in

The first time, sign in with the default account:

* **Username:** `admin`
* **Password:** `admin`

You'll replace these in the next step.

## 3. First-run setup

The first sign-in opens a setup wizard:

**Welcome → Appearance → Account → Finish**

### Welcome

* **New Installation.** Set up a fresh server.
* **Restore from Backup.** Upload a backup archive from another camera.ui install. camera.ui restores your settings and restarts.

### Appearance

**Theme** (light, dark, or follow the system) and **language**.

### Account

Your own username, password and optional avatar. This account replaces the default `admin` / `admin`.

::: tip Choose a strong password
This is an administrator account. Use a strong, unique password, especially if you plan to reach camera.ui from outside your network.
:::

### Finish

**Enjoy!** saves and signs you out. Sign back in with the **username and password you just set**.

## 4. Add your first camera

After signing in you land on the **Home** screen. Select **Get started**, or open **Cameras**.

The **Cameras** page scans your network and lists the cameras it finds under **Discovered**. Select one, enter its username and password, and it's added. If your camera isn't found, use **Add camera** to enter its stream details by hand.

For the full walkthrough, see **[Adding a camera](/cameras/add-camera)**.

## Getting around

The sidebar on the left is grouped by purpose. Your daily pages sit at the top. A **Manage** group holds cameras, sensors, faces, automations, plugins and instances. A **System** group keeps the diagnostic pages and starts collapsed. On a phone the same groups show up in the menu.

The **pencil** at the top of the sidebar starts edit mode: drag pages to another spot or group, hide settings pages with the **eye**, and confirm with the **check**. **Reset to defaults** brings back the original layout. The layout is saved to your account and follows you to every browser and device.

In **Settings → Appearance** you can also add the settings pages to the sidebar as their own group, and choose which groups can collapse.

## Next steps

* **[Live view](/cameras/live-view)** — watch your cameras live
* **[Recording (NVR)](/recording/)** — turn on 24/7 or event recording
* **[Detection & AI](/detection/)** — add motion and object detection
* **[Remote access](/remote/)** and the **[mobile apps](/install/mobile)** — reach your cameras from anywhere