> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.alpha-security.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.alpha-security.app/deployment/collector-binary.md).

# Collector Binary

The collector (`al`) runs on the operator's testing machine. It's a single static binary with no runtime dependencies.

## Download

Prebuilt binaries are attached to each [GitHub Release](https://github.com/shoamshilo/alpha-security/releases). Currently available for Linux amd64.

```bash
chmod +x al
sudo mv al /usr/local/bin/
```

## Build from source

If you need a different platform or want the latest code:

```bash
cd collector
make build
```

Or without Make:

```bash
cd collector
CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -o al ./cmd/al
```

## Enrollment

Before the collector can send data, it needs to authenticate with the server:

```bash
al enroll --server http://your-alpha-server --token <token>
```

Get the token from the web UI: open an engagement, go to **Settings > Collectors**, and create a new token.

The collector stores the token in your OS keyring. If the keyring isn't available (headless servers, containers), it falls back to an encrypted config file.

## Version check

```bash
al --version
```


---

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