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

# Manual installation

> Install and run Perplexica without Docker on your local machine

While Docker is recommended, you can install Perplexica manually on your system. This method gives you more control but requires managing dependencies yourself.

<Warning>
  Manual installation requires you to set up and maintain SearxNG separately. Using Docker simplifies this process considerably.
</Warning>

## Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

* Node.js 24.5.0 or later
* npm or yarn package manager
* A running SearxNG instance with JSON format enabled
* Python 3 (for SearxNG)

## Installation steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set up SearxNG">
    Install SearxNG and configure it to allow JSON format. Make sure the Wolfram Alpha search engine is enabled in your SearxNG settings.

    For SearxNG installation instructions, visit the [SearxNG documentation](https://docs.searxng.org/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clone the repository">
    ```bash theme={null}
    git clone https://github.com/ItzCrazyKns/Perplexica.git
    cd Perplexica
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install dependencies">
    ```bash theme={null}
    npm i
    ```

    This will install all required packages from package.json:15398.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build the application">
    ```bash theme={null}
    npm run build
    ```

    This runs Next.js build process to compile the application.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the application">
    ```bash theme={null}
    npm run start
    ```

    The application will start on port 3000 by default.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure settings">
    Open your browser and navigate to [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) to complete the setup. Configure your settings including:

    * API keys for your chosen LLM provider
    * Model selection
    * SearxNG URL (should point to your SearxNG instance)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Running in development mode

For development or testing purposes, you can run Perplexica in development mode:

```bash theme={null}
npm run dev
```

This runs the Next.js development server with hot reloading enabled.

## SearxNG configuration

Your SearxNG instance must be properly configured for Perplexica to work:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Enable JSON format">
    In your SearxNG `settings.yml`, ensure JSON format is enabled:

    ```yaml theme={null}
    search:
      formats:
        - html
        - json
    ```
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enable Wolfram Alpha">
    Perplexica uses Wolfram Alpha for mathematical calculations and data lookups. Enable it in your SearxNG configuration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Network accessibility">
    If running SearxNG on the same machine, ensure it's accessible at the URL you configure in Perplexica (typically [http://localhost:8080](http://localhost:8080)).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Managing the application

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Start production server theme={null}
  npm run start
  ```

  ```bash Start development server theme={null}
  npm run dev
  ```

  ```bash Rebuild after changes theme={null}
  npm run build
  ```

  ```bash Run linter theme={null}
  npm run lint
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## File locations

When running manually, Perplexica stores data in the following locations:

* **Application data**: `./data/` directory in your installation folder
* **Uploaded files**: `./uploads/` directory (created automatically)
* **Database**: SQLite database in `./data/`

<Note>
  Make sure these directories have appropriate read/write permissions for the user running the application.
</Note>

## Production deployment

For production deployments without Docker:

1. Use a process manager like PM2 to keep the application running:

```bash theme={null}
npm install -g pm2
pm2 start npm --name "perplexica" -- start
pm2 save
pm2 startup
```

2. Set up a reverse proxy (nginx or Apache) to handle SSL/TLS

3. Configure firewall rules to allow traffic on port 3000 (or your chosen port)

4. Ensure SearxNG is running as a system service

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Updating" icon="arrow-up" href="/deployment/updating">
    Keep your installation current
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/deployment/troubleshooting">
    Resolve common issues
  </Card>
</CardGroup>