# Installing Device Agent

## Choose your install path

**Recommended for most users:** Use the Device Agent Installer (Quick Start), the fastest way to deploy with minimal configuration. Power users can choose Manual (using `npm`), Docker, or Kubernetes deployments.

### Quick install

Run the one-line installer on your device. It installs Node.js, registers the device on your FlowFuse platform, and configures it to run as a local service.

**Linux / macOS**

```bash
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://flowfuse.github.io/device-agent/get.sh)" && ./flowfuse-device-agent-installer
```

**Windows** — run in an elevated PowerShell terminal:

```powershell
Set-Location $env:USERPROFILE; powershell -c "irm https://flowfuse.github.io/device-agent/get.ps1 | iex"; .\flowfuse-device-agent-installer.exe
```

See the [Quick Start guide](/docs/device-agent/quickstart) for the full walkthrough, or the [Installer reference](/docs/device-agent/install/device-agent-installer) for all options and service management.

- Recommended: Use the Device Agent Installer

  - Fastest way to get started with a one-line command in the [Quick Start guide](/docs/device-agent/quickstart)
  - Full options and service management in the [Installer reference](/docs/device-agent/install/device-agent-installer)
- Alternative: Manual install (using `npm`)

  - Install the npm package, set working directory, configure, and run as a service. See [Manual install](/docs/device-agent/install/manual)
- Alternative: Docker / Docker Compose

  - Run the agent in a container; bind-mount the configuration. See [Docker install](/docs/device-agent/install/docker)
- Alternative: Kubernetes

  - Deploy the agent in a Kubernetes cluster. See [Kubernetes install](/docs/device-agent/install/kubernetes)

## Prerequisites

- Node.js 18 or later (for Manual install and for running locally). Supported versions are 18, 20, 22, and 24. Device Agent v4 (and its installer and official Docker image) defaults to Node.js 22 — this is the recommended runtime. Note that Node.js 20 reached end-of-life in April 2026.
- Supported OS: Linux, macOS, Windows, or Docker container
- Networking: allow outbound access on 443 to:

  - `app.flowfuse.com`
  - `mqtt.flowfuse.cloud`
- Access to npm registry when snapshots are installed: [https://registry.npmjs.com](https://registry.npmjs.com)

Note: The Device Agent downloads the required Node-RED version and any nodes specified by the assigned snapshot. Ensure firewall/proxy permits access to the npm registry or see [Running with no access to npmjs.org](/docs/device-agent/running#running-with-no-access-to-npmjsorg).

### Networking requirements

If you're working behind a firewall, and need to configure it to allow the Device Agent to connect to FlowFuse and the npm registry, see the following:

Allow outbound TCP 443 to:

- `app.flowfuse.com`
- `mqtt.flowfuse.cloud`
- `registry.flowfuse.cloud`
- `registry.flowfuse.com`

Ensure access to npm registry to download Node-RED and nodes:

- `https://registry.npmjs.com`

For offline environments, see [Running with no access to npmjs.org](/docs/device-agent/running#running-with-no-access-to-npmjsorg).

## Verify the installation

After installing by any method:

1. Ensure a working directory exists (default is `/opt/flowfuse-device` or `c:\opt\flowfuse-device`).
2. Run the agent and it will help you get it registered, or provide a device configuration you have already created (via Quick Connect, provisioning, or manual `device.yml`). See [Register your Remote Instance](/docs/device-agent/register).
3. Start the agent (service or CLI) and open `http://<device-ip>:1880` when assigned and running.

## What’s next

- Follow the [Quick Start guide](/docs/device-agent/quickstart) to add and connect a Remote Instance
- Learn [how to run and configure the agent](/docs/device-agent/running)
- Use [DevOps Pipelines](/docs/user/devops-pipelines) to deploy flows