# Getting Started

This guide will help you install HiveFB and set it up for your first scraping session.

### You’ll do this

* Install HiveFB.
* Add your Facebook account.
* Verify automation is connected.
* Run your first scrape.

## System Requirements

| Component            | Minimum         | Recommended   |
| -------------------- | --------------- | ------------- |
| **Operating System** | Windows 10+     | Windows 11    |
| **RAM**              | 4GB             | 8GB+          |
| **Storage**          | 1GB free        | 5GB+          |
| **Internet**         | Broadband       | High-speed    |
| **Browser**          | Chrome/Chromium | Latest Chrome |

## Installation

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Download HiveFB

* Visit the [GitHub releases page](https://github.com/lilman514/HiveFB-App/releases)
* Download the latest version
* Choose either:
  * **Setup Installer**: Full installation with shortcuts (recommended)
  * **Portable Version**: No installation required

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**Screenshot placeholder:** GitHub Releases page with the correct asset highlighted (Setup vs Portable).
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{% step %}

### Install the Application

For Setup Installer:

* Run the installer executable
* Follow the installation wizard
* Choose installation location (default recommended)
* Complete the installation

For Portable Version:

* Extract the ZIP file to your desired location
* Run `HiveFB.exe` directly

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**Screenshot placeholder:** Installer wizard (or extracted portable folder) showing `HiveFB.exe`.
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{% step %}

### Launch HiveFB

* Find "HiveFB" in your Start Menu
* Or double-click the desktop shortcut
* The HiveFB Loader will verify your subscription
* Once verified, the main application launches

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**Screenshot placeholder:** HiveFB Loader verification screen (if shown) and the main window after launch.
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## First Time Setup

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{% step %}

### Login to Facebook

* Open Account Manager:
  * Click "👤 Account Manager" in the sidebar
  * Or use the account icon in the top navigation
* Add Your Credentials:
  * Enter your Facebook email address
  * Enter your Facebook password
  * Click "Add Account"
* Security Note:
  * Your credentials are encrypted and stored locally
  * They are never transmitted to external servers
  * Only used for Facebook Marketplace access

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**Screenshot placeholder:** Account Manager screen with the “Add Account” form (hide personal info).
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### Verify Connection

* Check Status Light:
  * Look for the green status light (🟢) in the top right corner
  * Green = Automation connected and ready
  * Red (🔴) = Connection issue (see [Troubleshooting](/help/troubleshooting.md))
* Test Browser Connection:
  * The Browser tab should show a live view
  * If blank or showing errors, check the troubleshooting guide

{% hint style="info" %}
**Screenshot placeholder:** Top-right status light in green (🟢) plus the Browser tab showing a live page.
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{% step %}

### Start Your First Scrape

* Click "🚀 Start Scraping" (located in the sidebar navigation)
* Select Mode:
  * Choose "Vehicle Mode" for cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.
  * Or "Item Mode" for general marketplace items
* Configure Your Search:
  * **Search Term**: Enter what you're looking for (e.g., "civic", "truck", "suv")
  * **Max Listings**: How many to collect (default: 500)
  * **Scroll Speed**: Delay between scrolls (default: 2000ms)
  * **Page Load Wait**: Time to wait for pages (default: 10000ms)
* Start Scraping:
  * Click "Start Scraping"
  * Monitor progress in the Console tab
  * Watch the Browser tab to see automation in action

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**Screenshot placeholder:** “Start Scraping” modal with example values filled in.
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## Next Steps

Now that you're set up, explore these features:

* [**Main App**](/core-workflow/main-app.md): Learn the interface
* [**Scraping Guide**](/core-workflow/scraping-guide.md): Run scrapes confidently
* [**Web Dashboard**](/web-dashboard/web-dashboard.md): View and filter data
* [**Catalogue Management**](/core-workflow/catalogue-management.md): Save searches for reuse

<details>

<summary>Troubleshooting</summary>

See the troubleshooting guide: [Troubleshooting](/help/troubleshooting.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary>FAQ</summary>

See the FAQ: [FAQ](/help/faq.md)

</details>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.hivefb.app/start-here/getting-started.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.