> 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/getting-started/quickstart.md).

# Quick Start

Get Alpha running in five minutes with Docker Compose.

## 1. Clone the repo

```bash
git clone https://github.com/shoamshilo/alpha-security.git
cd alpha-security
```

## 2. Configure environment

```bash
cd deploy
cp .env.example .env
```

Open `.env` and set these values:

* `POSTGRES_PASSWORD` to something strong
* `ALPHA_JWT_SECRET` to a random string (run `openssl rand -hex 32`)
* `ALPHA_TOTP_ENCRYPTION_KEY` to another random hex string (same command), only needed if you plan to use MFA

## 3. Start everything

```bash
docker compose -f docker-compose.prod.yml up -d
```

This starts Postgres, the API server, and the web frontend. Wait about 30 seconds for migrations to run on first boot.

## 4. Create the first admin

```bash
docker compose -f docker-compose.prod.yml exec server \
  node dist/main.js cli create-admin \
  --email you@example.com \
  --password YourPassword123
```

## 5. Open the web UI

Go to `http://localhost` in your browser and log in with the email and password you just created.

## Next steps

* [Create your first engagement](/user-guide/engagements.md) in the web UI
* [Set up the collector](/getting-started/first-capture.md) on your testing machine
* [Read about TLS](/deployment/tls.md) if you're deploying on a network


---

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