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Installing

The Windows installer is on its way

A one-click installer for Windows is being built: it will set up Python, Ollama, the AI's brain and the voice files for you, and start Starbase with the PC. Until it's out, Starbase is installed by hand as below.

1. Ollama

Install Ollama and start it. Starfarer runs every AI model through it. On Windows it sits in the tray; on Linux its install script sets it up as a service. Leave Ollama on this computer only (its default): it has no password, and Starbase warns you if other machines can reach it.

2. Python

Starbase needs Python 3.10 or newer; a current one (3.13 or 3.14) is best. On Windows, get it from python.org (tick Add python.exe to PATH).

3. Starfarer

Unzip Starfarer into a folder of its own (for example C:\Starfarer), then run the setup once:

  1. Double-click install.bat. It makes a private Python environment in the folder (.venv) and installs Starbase into it.
  2. When it asks, download the voice files (about 900 MB): hearing, the AI's voice, voice ID and wake words. You can also do it later in the first setup.
  3. Double-click start.bat. It keeps Starbase running: it starts it again after a restart from the Bridge or a crash. The Bridge opens in your browser at http://127.0.0.1:3010.

./install.sh      # once: the environment, Starbase, and the voice files if you say yes
./start.sh        # Starbase; keep it running (a terminal, tmux, or a systemd service)
Then open http://127.0.0.1:3010 in a browser on that computer.

The first page is Welcome aboard: carry on with First setup.

4. Phones and other devices at home

By default only the Starbase PC itself can open the Bridge. First setup's last step turns on the home network (or later: Engineering → Starbase → Network → Anything on my home network). Starbase then serves HTTPS with its own certificate, after a restart, at https://<this PC's address>:3010.

On Windows, run allow-network.bat once: it adds a Windows Firewall rule for Starbase's port on home (Private) networks, asking for administrator rights. If Windows has your network set to Public, set it to Private (Settings → Network & internet → your network).

Where things are
data\ everything that's yours: settings, the crew, conversations, memory, personas, keys. Back it up (Starbase can do it for you: Backups). Set STARFARER_HOME to keep it somewhere else.
data\settings.json the settings (most are changed on the Bridge)
data\models\ the voice files
.venv\ Starbase's own Python and packages

The AI models live in Ollama, not in Starfarer's folder.