> ## 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.

# Quickstart

> Go from install to your first balance.

**1. Install**

Pick [desktop](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/getting-started/install-desktop.md), [StartOS](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/getting-started/install-startos.md) from the Community Registry, or [Umbrel](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/getting-started/install-umbrel.md) (coming soon).

**2. Set your PIN**

Choose a 6-digit PIN. You enter it each time you open Control Center. See [PIN and lock](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/security/pin.md).

**3. Choose an Electrum server**

On desktop, the introduction asks: **Blockstream's public server** or **My own node**. Your own is best for privacy. See [First run](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/getting-started/first-run.md#3-choose-an-electrum-server-desktop).

StartOS uses your own node automatically.

**4. Add an account**

Select **Add Account**. Pick a [wallet](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/accounts/hardware-wallets.md), an [exchange](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/accounts/exchanges.md), or **Track Balance, ETF, or xpub** for a [manual holding](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/accounts/manual-and-etfs.md) or a [wallet you only want to watch](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/accounts/xpub-and-descriptors.md#track-a-wallet).

![Connect New Account screen with tiles for hardware wallets, Bitkey, Multisig, exchanges, Manually Sign, and Track Balance, ETF, or xpub](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/sEwUbi4Qgrd8Y_19/images/accounts-add-account.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=sEwUbi4Qgrd8Y_19\&q=85\&s=eea50195148a4367c976e585ddae95da)

Pick an account type.

**5. Prove control (wallets only)**

Sign one message on your hardware wallet. This marks the wallet **verified** so it can go on a [statement](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/statements/statements-and-hoseki-verified.md). See [Verify ownership](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/accounts/verify-ownership.md). Skip this for wallets you only track.

**6. Back up**

Set up [backups](https://help.hoseki.app/bitcoin-control-center/maintenance/backup-restore.md) before you rely on it.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Never enter a seed phrase or private key. Control Center never asks for one.


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