Installation

Download Yao Engine from the [download page](/download). Select your platform and architecture.

Yao Engine is a local server: install it on one machine and start using it in your browser.

For daily use, we recommend adding the **Yao Agents desktop client** and pointing it at that Engine. You only need one Engine — **any computer on the same network can connect to it**, so several devices can share a single server.

- Just want to get going? Use it in the browser right after install.
- Daily use? Install the [desktop client](/docs/en-us/getting-started/install-client).

## Step 1: Launch Yao Engine

Open Yao Engine. The main window shows Yao and Tai services.

![Yao Engine](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/engine/01-engine-app-en-$__THEME.png)

> **Note:** On first launch, set App Root to an empty directory. Requires Yao Agents v1.6.1+.

Click **Start**. Both services will show their PIDs and addresses once running.

![Yao Engine running](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/engine/02-engine-start-en-$__THEME.png)

> **Tip:** The **Server** section shows the access addresses — `http://127.0.0.1:5099` on this machine, plus the addresses other devices on the same network can use. That's the server address the client needs.

> **Tip:** Signing in from another computer on the network? Use the LAN address that reaches Yao Engine (e.g. `http://192.168.x.x:5099`) — open it in the browser, and enter the same address in the Yao Agents client.

## Step 2: Open the welcome page

Click **Visit** to open the welcome page in your browser, then click **Get Started**.

![Welcome page](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/engine/03-engine-visit-en-$__THEME.png)

> **Tip:** You can also grab the server address from **Server URL** in the top-right corner of the welcome page.

## Step 3: Create your account

> **Tip:** Your account is stored on the computer where Yao Engine is installed — it's not a Yao Agents website account. Just register with your own email.

From the welcome page, open the sign-in screen and enter **your own email**, then click **Continue** and verify the code.

![Enter email](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/login/login-web-email-en-$__THEME.png)

Set a password and click **Sign Up** to finish.

![Create account](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/login/login-web-reg-en-$__THEME.png)

## Step 4: Connect Tao

After signing in, choose where your models come from — **Use Tao Service** is recommended: one key for models, search, fetch, storage, and more.

![Connect Tao](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/login/login-bind-key-en-$__THEME.png)

Open the console, click **Create New Key**, and copy the key.

![Get the key](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/login/login-get-key-en-$__THEME.png)

Paste it into the app and click **Verify and Configure**. Settings will show **Connected**, and your model configuration fills in automatically.

![Configure Tao Service](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/login/login-bind-key-step-2-en-$__THEME.png)

Once connected, you land on the main screen and can start working.

![Signed in](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/login/login-web-success-en-$__THEME.png)

> You can also pick **Bring Your Own Key** and configure OpenAI, Anthropic, or local Ollama providers yourself.

## Step 5: Connect the desktop client

The desktop client is recommended for daily use. Download it from the [client download page](/download/yaoagents), open it, enter your server address (your local Engine is `http://127.0.0.1:5099`), and click **Connect**.

![Connect the server](https://cdn.yaoagents.cn/assets/en/login/login-custom-server-url-en-$__THEME.png)

> **Tip:** Right-click the tray icon to switch servers or access settings.

See [Install the desktop client](/docs/en-us/getting-started/install-client) for the full walkthrough.

## What's next

- [AI Experts](/docs/en-us/getting-started/ai-experts-intro) – Start working with built-in experts
- [Connect a device](/docs/en-us/tai-link/connect-first-device) – Add machines via Tai Link