Urbit

Getting Started

  • Overview
  • Desktop app
  • Command line app
  • Hosted urbit
  • Getting around

    Additional Guides

  • Get a planet
  • Joining groups
  • Installing apps
Urbit

Getting Started

  • Overview
  • Desktop app
  • Command line app
  • Hosted urbit
  • Getting around

    Additional Guides

  • Get a planet
  • Joining groups
  • Installing apps
Urbit/Getting Started

Overview

Introduction

Nothing about building a new OS from scratch has been easy. Or creating an identity system that adequately replaces the IP address.

Getting on Urbit isn't always easy, either. The onboarding process hasn't been optimized by product managers in search of maximal profit. There's no checkbox for your interests—you have to discover them yourself.

But we like to think this hard work is exactly what makes Urbit special. Consider yourself warned.

Why Urbit?

As a user, you can explore the people, community, and sheer novelty of the Urbit ecosystem while owning your entire experience. Your data, your messages, your apps.

As a developer, you can now build apps, a protocol for a whole suite of apps, or an entire online subculture, and distribute your work directly to your users' operating systems. No middlemen, no MEGACORPs, and no lock-in.

Someone once said, "All the smart people I know disappear into Urbit." If you're smart, you will too — not just installing and running Urbit, but taking the first step toward deploying your Final Computer.

Launch into Urbit

Choose how you want to disappear into Urbit.

Desktop app

Deploy Urbit on your local system

Benefits

  • Free
  • Set up in minutes

Considerations

  • Limited functionality with certain applications
Get Started

Hosted urbit

Deploy Urbit on a managed service

Benefits

  • Accessibility from anywhere
  • Streamlined setup for ownership and identity
  • No technical proficiency required

Considerations

  • Requires monthly subscription
  • Requires trust in your service provider
Get Started

Command line app

Run Urbit from the terminal

Benefits

  • Greater control
  • Reliable
  • Smaller footprint

Considerations

  • Requires familiarity with the command line
Get Started