# First run

This walkthrough takes a new installation from startup to its first useful
backup and automation task.

## 1. Open PalCenter

Browse to:

```text
http://DOCKER-HOST:3000
```

If a reverse proxy is configured, use its HTTPS address instead.

## 2. Create the initial Administrator

When no users exist, PalCenter opens the setup wizard. Enter:

- username;
- email address;
- password;
- password confirmation.

The first account becomes an Administrator. There is no default username or
password, and setup cannot be repeated after the first user is created.

## 3. Add a Palworld server

From the Servers page, select **Add Server** and enter:

- **Display Name:** the friendly name shown by PalCenter;
- **REST URL:** protocol, address, and REST port, for example
  `http://192.0.2.25:8212`;
- **Admin Password:** the Palworld server's REST administrator password.

Select **Test Connection**. Review the server name, version, player count, FPS,
and response time, then select **Save**.

The browser never receives a saved administrator password after it is stored.

## 4. Verify the Dashboard

The server card should report **Online** and show current player, FPS, version,
response-time, and health information. An offline card remains available for
management and reports the failure without preventing other servers from
loading.

Select **Manage** to open the server workspace:

- **Overview:** live status and connection information;
- **Players:** connected players and authorized player operations;
- **Map:** World Intelligence;
- **Administration:** broadcast, save, shutdown, and stop operations;
- **Settings:** read-only Palworld settings;
- **Connection Settings:** saved REST connection editing for Administrators;
- **Monitoring:** recent metrics and server events.

## 5. Verify player telemetry

Open **Players**. When players are connected, PalCenter collects their
documented REST position/state data. An empty state is normal when nobody is
online.

Telemetry collection begins automatically. Unchanged snapshots are reduced and
retained according to `PALCENTER_TELEMETRY_RETENTION_DAYS`.

## 6. Explore World Intelligence

Open **Map**:

1. Select a player marker.
2. Enable **Show movement trail**.
3. Choose 15 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, or 24 hours.
4. Review the Player Activity Summary.
5. Expand detailed movement statistics or timeline information only when
   needed.

The map shows observed telemetry (the native REST API, or PalDefender when
configured for the server), not gameplay intent.

![Player Activity Summary](screenshots/player-activity-summary-after.png)

## 7. Create a backup

Open **Settings → Backup & Restore** and select **Create Backup**. Store the
downloaded `.tar.gz` archive in encrypted, access-controlled storage.

The archive contains server credentials, notification credentials, users,
password hashes, history, automation tasks/executions, and application signing
configuration. Treat it as a secret.

## 8. Explore Automation

Open **Automation** and create one of the supported tasks:

- Broadcast Message;
- Save World;
- Graceful Shutdown.

Select a server, schedule, and time zone. Use **Run Now** for an immediate test.
It records execution history and does not change the task's next recurring run.

See [Automation](AUTOMATION.md) before scheduling a shutdown.

## 9. Optional administration

- Add Moderator or Visitor accounts from **User Management**.
- Configure Discord or ntfy from **Settings → Notifications**.
- Place PalCenter behind HTTPS before exposing it outside a trusted network.
- Review [Security](../SECURITY.md) and [Troubleshooting](TROUBLESHOOTING.md).