# Get started

Try the demo, plan your setup, then install. You can stop after any step.

Came from Safety features? [Go to step 3: Install →](#install)

Step 1

## Try the live demo

Open the live demo. It is the real dashboard running on synthetic data, with a 13-step tour.

[Live demo](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/demo)

Status › Today

![The Status › Today page: the room line and a card for each zone, on synthetic demo data.](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/feature-img/today-dark.webp)

*What you will see first. Synthetic demo data.*

Step 2

## Plan your setup

Check your hardware, take the fit check and learn the terms.

- ### Hardware
  Supported devices and what you need.
  [Open](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/hardware)
- ### Fit check
  Six yes/no questions.
  [Open](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/is-it-for-me)
- ### Glossary
  VWC, pore EC, dryback and the rest.
  [Open](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/glossary)
- ### Academy ↗
  24 free captioned video lessons, from water and roots to planning a grow.
  [Open](https://jaketherabbit.github.io/HA-Irrigation-Strategy/learn/)
- ### Build a grow controller (new to Home Assistant)
  Raspberry Pi or Intel NUC, sensors and your first irrigation zone.
  [Open](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/tutorials)

Step 3

## Install

1. 01 Open in HACS: download the integration and restart Home Assistant.
2. 02 Add Crop Steering: enter a room name and the zone count.
3. 03 Add the app repository and install Crop Steering Controller. Keep each room's Watering switch off.
4. 04 Open Crop Steering in the Home Assistant sidebar.
5. 05 In Equipment › Setup: pumps & valves, map each zone's valve and probes.
6. 06 Enter substrate litres per plant, plant count and dripper output, then catch-test the actual output.
7. 07 Choose Review configuration, then Save configuration, and wait for Mapping acknowledged.

[Full install guide](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/install)

Equipment › Setup: pumps & valves

![Equipment › Setup: pumps & valves, where each zone's valve and probes are mapped, on synthetic demo data.](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/upstream-img/setup-pumps-valves-desktop-light.png)

*Where you map each zone's valve and probes. Synthetic demo data.*

## Next steps by role

- ### New to Home Assistant
  Start here: [Build a grow controller (new to Home Assistant)](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/tutorials)
  Then [the Academy](https://jaketherabbit.github.io/HA-Irrigation-Strategy/learn/), [the hardware guide](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/hardware) and [the install guide](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/install).
- ### Have Home Assistant, new to crop steering
  Start here: [Live demo](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/demo)
  Then [how it works](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/how-it-works), [the glossary](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/glossary) and [the install guide](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/install).
- ### Already steering, want to switch
  Start here: [Check your hardware](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/hardware)
  Then [the fit check](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/is-it-for-me), [the install guide](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/install) and [the user guide](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/docs/user-guide).
- ### Installer or hardware and software maker
  Start here: [System map](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/system-map)
  Then [the notes for makers](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/hardware#for-makers), [the entity reference](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/docs/entities), [the MCP connector](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/docs/mcp) and [the roadmap](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/roadmap).

[Read the FAQ](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/faq) [About the project](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/about)

[Next Install](https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/install)

Source: https://cropsteering.growlabs.nz/get-started