---
navhome: '/docs'
next: True
sort: 2
title: Setup
---

# Getting started

On disk your urbit is an append-only log and a checkpoint. Or, in
simpler terms, a directory where we keep your urbit’s state. We call
this a ‘pier’.

## Initialize

To create an urbit, we need an identity. This identity is both a network
address and a memorable name.

You are probably creating one of two kinds of urbit: a 32-bit "planet"
or a 128-bit "comet." For a quick terminology guide and high-level
refresher, refer to this [handy reference sheet](/docs/about/glossary).

If you have an Urbit invitation, you'll have a planet like
`~fintud-macrep` and `~fortyv-tombyt-tabsen-sonres`. To create your
pier:

    $ bin/urbit -w fintud-macrep -t fortyv-tombyt-tabsen-sonres

This will create a directory `fintud-macrep/` and begin building your
urbit. This may take a few minutes.

If you do not have a ticket, you can still make a 'comet', a wild urbit
drifting through cyberspace. Pick your own directory name, it doesn't
matter:

    $ bin/urbit -c mycomet

This will create the directory `mycomet/` and generate a 128-bit
identity for your urbit.

## Orientation

When your urbit is finished booting you should see a `dojo>` prompt.
Welcome!

By default your urbit is quite bare-bones. Let's stroll through what's
already running:

### Shell — `:dojo`

The command prompt in front of you is a simple shell and Hoon REPL.
Let's make sure it works:

    ~fitund-macrep:dojo> (add 2 2)

Should produce:

    > (add 2 2)
    4

Good.

### Messaging — `:talk`

Use `^X` (ctrl-x) to change your prompt. Let's join the main Urbit chat
channel:

    ~fitund-macrep:talk() ;join ~dozbud/urbit-meta

`:talk` is stateful, so your urbit will download a backlog.
`/urbit-meta` is the place to ask questions, get help and talk about
anything Urbit-related.

### Web — `:tree`

Urbit is also accessible through the web. Try opening:

    http://localhost:8080/

in your favorite browser. You'll be prompted to use `+code`. This page
was generated by `:tree`, the basic Urbit web interface. You can also
access your urbit through `http://fintud-macrep.urbit.org` (where
`fintud-macrep` is your planet name).

### Filesystem — `%clay`

`%clay`, the Urbit filesystem, isn't mounted to unix by default. Switch
to the `:dojo` prompt and run:

    ~fitund-macrep:dojo> |mount %

This should produce:

    > |mount %
    >=

which indicates the command was processed.

`|mount %` will cause a `home/` directory to appear inside your pier
folder. Changes to these files are automatically synced into your urbit.

## Learn more

If you're eager to get started programming you're ready to head over to
<a href="../../hoon/demo">the Hoon demo</a>.

To learn more about using the system, let's keep going: