Connect Your First Computer (Setup Guide)
This page explains how to bring a computer online as a host that can be controlled remotely through the Manager. A host connects to the Manager using an API token (manager_api_token) — this is different from "connecting to an already-online device by its device code".
Step 1: Download and install the host agent
On the computer you want to control remotely, download and install the host agent. Releases are available on GitHub:
Step 2: Create an API token
The host agent needs an API token to connect to this service.
- Sign in to the Manager console.
- Open the user menu (top-right avatar) → API Tokens (or go to
/console/settings/tokens). - Create a token and copy it — the full token is shown only once at creation, so store it safely.
The home page's "Connect your first computer" onboarding offers a direct "Create an API token" link when your account has none yet.
Step 3: Paste the token into the host and save
Open the host agent settings, paste the API token from the previous step into the Manager token / manager_api_token field, and save. The host uses that token to connect to the Manager.
Once saved, the device comes online automatically and appears in the console home device grid and the My Devices list.
Step 4: Connect by access code
Once online, the device shows a 6-character device code. Enter it in the connect box on the console home to start a connection, or simply click the device in the home grid. This one box takes both a device code and a one-time support code; the server detects which.
Connecting to a device you own or are granted by an organization gives full control; to temporarily assist an unknown computer, use the one-time support code they read to you (the session is bounded by that device's capability ceiling) — see Temporary Support.
Next steps
- Learn how the three views divide up the console: Personal view, Organization view, and the platform-admin view (visible only to platform admins).
- Share a device with organization members: Device access grants.