> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.hoseki.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# First run and Electrum

> Set your PIN, pick an Electrum server, and set up the app.

## 1. Set your PIN

Choose 6 digits, then enter them again. On **Your PIN is set**, select **Continue**. See [PIN and lock](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/security/pin.md).

## 2. The introduction

A short introduction appears the first time. It shows sample data, not yours.

![Introduction screen titled Your Bitcoin, in one place, with Skip and Continue buttons](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF/images/first-run-intro-overview.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF\&q=85\&s=44460d51caef0a22e9bb42c23650fe4d)

The first-run introduction. Select Skip or Continue.

![Introduction step titled It can see, not spend, with a sample Kraken key showing read-only permissions](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF/images/first-run-intro-watch-only.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF\&q=85\&s=71b5545a1446329e10d12eb2bfe19c45)

Wallets connect watch-only. Exchanges only need a read-only key.

The steps are:

* **Your Bitcoin, in one place.**
* **Bring in what you already use.** Connect a hardware wallet, multisig, exchange, or enter holdings yourself.
* **It can see, not spend.** Wallets connect watch-only. Exchanges only need a read-only key.
* **Your data stays with you.** Your history is saved on this computer, or on your server.
* **Choose your Electrum server.** Desktop only. See [step 3](#3-choose-an-electrum-server-desktop).
* **Start with one account.** Have your hardware wallet, a read-only API key from your exchange, or just your balance to enter by hand.

![Introduction step titled Start with one account, with Not Now and Add Account buttons](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF/images/first-run-intro-start.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF\&q=85\&s=2e6761e830980d8b7c105fc304041a99)

The last step takes you to Add Account.

Select **Not Now** to look around first. The introduction does not come back after you finish or skip it. Pressing **Esc** also skips it.

## 3. Choose an Electrum server (desktop)

Control Center reads wallet balances from an **Electrum server**. Whoever runs it can see which addresses are yours and your IP address.

On desktop, the introduction asks before you add an account. StartOS always uses your own Electrs, so there is no server step.

Your choice only applies when you select **Continue** or **Connect**. Select **Skip** before that, and you stay on Blockstream's public server without Tor, even if you turned on **Connect via Tor**. To switch, see [Change it later](#change-it-later).

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
  A["Choose your Electrum server"] --> B["Blockstream's public server"]
  A --> C["My own node"]
  C --> D["Connect your node"]
  B --> E["Start with one account"]
  D --> E
  E --> F["Add Account"]
```

![Choose your Electrum server step with Blockstream's public server selected and Connect via Tor off](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF/images/first-run-electrum-choice.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF\&q=85\&s=409d73ab4b5395e8c9627b22481091cf)

Pick Blockstream's public server or your own node.

### Blockstream's public server

It's selected to start. It works right away, with nothing to set up.

1. Optional: turn on **Connect via Tor** to hide your IP address from Blockstream. Tor can take a minute to start. Blockstream still sees your addresses.
2. Select **Continue**.

**"Couldn't connect through Tor."** Try again, or turn off **Connect via Tor**.

### My own node

1. Select **My own node**. Select **Continue**.
2. On **Connect your node**, enter the **Address**, such as `mynode.local` or `192.168.1.20`. Find it in your node's Electrum server app, such as Electrs or Fulcrum.
3. Use the **Port** and **Protocol** your node's Electrum app shows. The form starts on **SSL** and `50002`. Many home nodes use **TCP** on `50001`.
4. For a `.onion` address, turn on **Connect via Tor** and use **TCP**.
5. Select **Connect**. When it works, you see **Connected to your node** and move to the next step.

![Connect your node form with Address, Port, Protocol, and Connect via Tor](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/Xp9pk49cGAID_gA6/images/first-run-connect-node.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Xp9pk49cGAID_gA6\&q=85\&s=1a2cabc566c6f75f6973536e87749603)

Enter your node's Electrum address, port, and protocol.

**"Couldn't connect to …"** Check the details and that your node is on. The reason shows under the message.

If the form is incomplete, **Connect** shows what to fix:

| Message | Fix |
| - | - |
| **Enter your node's address.** | Fill in **Address**. |
| **Enter a port from 1 to 65535.** | Fix **Port**. |
| **Onion addresses need Tor. Turn on Connect via Tor.** | Turn on **Connect via Tor**. |

Your node is saved as **My node** in [Settings](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/settings/app-settings.md#electrum-server-desktop). You can rename it there.

Changed your mind? Select **Back**. Pick **Blockstream's public server**. Select **Continue**. **My node** stays saved in Settings.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Choosing **Connect via Tor** or your own node here also sets **Statement data** to **Configured Electrum server**. Change it in [Settings](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/settings/app-settings.md#statement-data-desktop).

### While you use the public server

A strip above the header says **Want more privacy? Look up your wallets on your own node.** Select **Connect your node** to open Electrum settings. It goes away once you connect another server, or when you close it.

The strip still shows with **Connect via Tor** on. Tor hides your IP address, but Blockstream still sees your addresses.

![Home with a Want more privacy strip and Connect your node link above the header](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF/images/first-run-public-server-notice.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=8uPVSNEF96_aN1BF\&q=85\&s=7360b2f1dd4d36b786921f362102781e)

The strip while you're on Blockstream's public server.

### Change it later

1. Open **Settings** (gear icon, top right).
2. Under **Electrum Server**, select **New connection**.
3. Enter a **Name**, **Host**, **Port**, and **Protocol**.
4. Select **Test Connection**. Then select **Save & Connect**.

![Electrum Server settings with the New connection form: name, start with, host, port, protocol, and Connect via Tor](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/UfUbkRUza9CJFqpH/images/settings-electrum-new-connection.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=UfUbkRUza9CJFqpH\&q=85\&s=90594da54e44024ce914ab24e8d0c7ba)

Add a saved connection in Settings.

* **Protocol:** use **SSL** for a public server. **TCP** is not encrypted, so use it only on your own network or for a `.onion` address (Tor encrypts it).
* **Connect via Tor:** required for `.onion` addresses. Tor can take up to two minutes to start the first time.

![Electrum connection showing a connected status](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/XCQqCRepRDP5H4K0/images/first-run-electrum-connected.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=XCQqCRepRDP5H4K0\&q=85\&s=4537fd9b7f50f0b99d5fdbadd7928d19)

Connected.

You can save up to 5 connections. Only one is active at a time. See [Settings](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/settings/app-settings.md#electrum-server-desktop) for every option.

## 4. Add your name

Open **Settings**. Under **Personal information**, enter **Your name**. Select **Save name**. It pre-fills the name on new [statements](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/statements/statements-and-hoseki-verified.md).

![Settings page with the statement name field](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/CZpiRtc-3kdaNAyJ/images/first-run-statement-name.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=CZpiRtc-3kdaNAyJ\&q=85\&s=0cc272da00d5af11e833f79fc358cbe7)

Your name on statements.

## 5. Add your first account

Select **Add Account** on **Home**. Start with [How accounts work](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/accounts/how-accounts-work.md).


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