> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.portainer.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.portainer.ai/portainer-command/installation.md).

# Install

Portainer-Command is installed from the Portainer add-ons catalog, as an add-on to your Portainer Business installation.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Ensure you meet the [requirements](/portainer-command/requirements.md) before installing.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Install from the add-ons catalog

As a Portainer administrator, open the add-ons catalog in Portainer and install **Portainer-Command**. For the general add-on install flow, see [Add-ons](https://docs.portainer.io/admin/add-ons) in the Portainer documentation.

There are no install-time options to set. Everything is configured in Portainer-Command after it's installed.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Wait for the installation to complete

The add-on installs into its own namespace, `portainer-addon-portainer-command`, which Portainer marks as a system namespace. It contains:

* The Portainer-Command server, reachable only through Portainer's add-on gateway.
* A PostgreSQL database with an 8 GiB persistent volume, and a NetworkPolicy that only lets Portainer-Command connect to it.
* A generated encryption key for the credentials Portainer-Command stores, and a generated database password. Both are kept across upgrades.

Portainer also places a machine credential in the namespace, which Portainer-Command uses to read its own settings from Portainer.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open Portainer-Command

Once the installation is complete, click the switcher icon ![](https://1938785147-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fypmd3gtxKLcOeVHnIvOD%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-171e88fcc37ed27a1af87e75aee7902bbc86e6fb%2Fswitcher-icon.png?alt=media) in the top left of Portainer, and choose **Portainer-Command**.

<figure><img src="https://1938785147-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fypmd3gtxKLcOeVHnIvOD%2Fuploads%2FN2koixhWNUydylHASwYK%2Fcommand-menu.png?alt=media&amp;token=523de626-0564-463d-bbb7-5e7e66a078dc" alt="Portainer product switcher showing Portainer-Command"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Portainer-Command uses Portainer's authentication, so you're signed in as your Portainer user. Portainer administrators see the **Administration** section in the sidebar.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Configure Portainer-Command

Before anybody can connect an agent, an administrator needs to complete a few settings. Continue to [Initial configuration](/portainer-command/initial-configuration.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Upgrading and uninstalling

Upgrade Portainer-Command from the add-ons catalog. The encryption key and database password carry forward across upgrades, so stored credentials stay readable.

When you uninstall the add-on, its namespace, encryption key, and database volume are left in place, so history survives a reinstall.

{% hint style="info" %}
Portainer issues the add-on a new machine credential on every install, upgrade, or repair. If Portainer-Command reports that Portainer refused its credential, repair the add-on in Portainer.
{% endhint %}