---
title: "Install Comma: self-host an open source AI agent · Comma Docs"
description: "Start a new Comma instance with Docker Compose."
url: https://comma.surf/docs/self-host/install
language: en
---

Self-host

# Install

Start a new Comma instance on one machine.

This guide is a placeholder. Complete steps, including access from other machines, are coming soon.

## Before you start

Install Docker Engine with Compose v2.24 or later, and have your model provider's details at hand.

## First start

Copy the example settings, fill in your model provider, then start the stack:

```
cp .env.example .env
docker compose up -d --build
```

The first start builds each service and creates the instance's secrets, so it takes a while. Without a model provider in `.env`, add a private model after you sign in.

## Sign in

Open `http://localhost:8080` and request a sign-in code with your email address. The code arrives in the local inbox at `http://localhost:8025`.

By default, an instance is reachable from this machine only. Serving it to others needs HTTPS and a mail server; that guide is coming soon.