> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.nelieo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Install the NSP Axon Daemon on Windows 10/11

> Download and install axon-daemon on Windows using the GUI installer or manually, then verify your setup with the health check endpoint.

Installing the NSP daemon puts `axon-daemon.exe` on your machine, registers it as a Windows Service, and starts serving the NSP API on `localhost:7842`. Most users should use the GUI installer — it handles everything automatically. The manual path is available if you prefer scripted deployments or need to install without an interactive session.

## System Requirements

Before you install, confirm your environment meets these requirements:

| Component        | Requirement                                              |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Operating system | Windows 10 1909+ or Windows 11                           |
| Architecture     | x64                                                      |
| RAM              | 512 MB free (2 GB+ recommended for large heap snapshots) |
| Disk             | 50 MB for binary and schema database                     |
| Admin rights     | Required for installation and service registration       |
| Chrome           | Required for V8/JavaScript app probing                   |
| .NET 4.8+        | Required for CLR probe                                   |
| JDK 11+          | Required for JVM probe                                   |

<Note>
  Chrome, .NET, and JDK are only required for probing those specific runtime types. If you only probe V8-based apps you only need Chrome, and so on.
</Note>

## Option 1: GUI Installer (Recommended)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the installer">
    Go to [www.nelieo.com](https://www.nelieo.com/) and download **Nelieo NSP Setup.exe**. Save it anywhere on your machine.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run as Administrator">
    Right-click `Nelieo NSP Setup.exe` and select **Run as administrator**. Accept the UAC prompt when it appears.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the setup wizard">
    Follow the installer prompts. The installer automatically:

    * Places `axon-daemon.exe` at `C:\Program Files\Nelieo\axon-daemon.exe`
    * Adds `C:\Program Files\Nelieo` to the system `PATH`
    * Creates `C:\ProgramData\Nelieo\axon.toml` with default configuration
    * Creates `C:\ProgramData\Nelieo\axon_keys.json` (initially empty)
    * Registers `NSPDaemon` as an auto-start Windows Service
    * Starts the daemon immediately
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the installation">
    Open a new terminal (so the updated `PATH` is active) and run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl http://localhost:7842/health
    ```

    You should see:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "status": "ok",
      "version": "1.0.0",
      "uptime_secs": 12,
      "tracked_processes": 0,
      "auth_enabled": true
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate your first API key">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    axon-daemon.exe keygen
    ```

    The command prints your new key and adds it to the keys file immediately — no restart required. Store the key somewhere safe; the plaintext is shown only once.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Option 2: Manual Installation

Use this path for scripted or headless deployments.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the binary">
    Download `axon-daemon.exe` directly:

    ```
    https://www.nelieo.com/download/axon-daemon-latest-windows-x64.exe
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Place the binary and update PATH">
    Run the following in an Administrator PowerShell session:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path "C:\Program Files\Nelieo"
    Copy-Item axon-daemon.exe "C:\Program Files\Nelieo\"

    $current = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("PATH", "Machine")
    [Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("PATH", "$current;C:\Program Files\Nelieo", "Machine")
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the config directory">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path "C:\ProgramData\Nelieo"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the default config">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    axon-daemon.exe init
    ```

    This writes `C:\ProgramData\Nelieo\axon.toml` with all defaults. Edit it before continuing if you need non-default settings. See [Configuration](/daemon/configuration).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register and start the Windows Service">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    axon-daemon.exe install
    axon-daemon.exe start
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the installation">
    Open a new terminal and run the health check:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl http://localhost:7842/health
    ```

    Then generate an API key and confirm authenticated access works:

    ```bash theme={null}
    axon-daemon.exe keygen

    curl -H "X-Substrate-Key: sk_nsp_<your-key>" ^
         http://localhost:7842/substrate/v1/apps
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Development Mode (No Service)

If you want to run the daemon without installing a Windows Service — for example, in a CI environment or during active development — skip the `install` and `start` steps and launch directly:

```powershell theme={null}
axon-daemon.exe run
```

The daemon runs in the foreground and exits when you press `Ctrl+C`. All API endpoints are available on `localhost:7842` exactly as they are in service mode.

<Tip>
  Pair foreground mode with `AXON_AUTH__REQUIRE_KEY=false` and `AXON_LOGGING__FORMAT=text` for a frictionless development loop without needing to manage keys or parse JSON logs.
</Tip>

## Uninstalling

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Add/Remove Programs">
    If you used the GUI installer, open **Settings → Apps** (or **Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program**), find **Nelieo NSP**, and click **Uninstall**.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Command Line">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    # Stop and remove the Windows Service
    axon-daemon.exe stop
    axon-daemon.exe uninstall

    # Remove files (optional — preserves your keys and config if omitted)
    Remove-Item -Recurse "C:\Program Files\Nelieo"
    Remove-Item -Recurse "C:\ProgramData\Nelieo"
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  Deleting `C:\ProgramData\Nelieo` removes your `axon_keys.json` and all API keys stored there. Back up any keys you want to keep before running this command.
</Warning>