# Getting Started with Simpl Desktop

Learn how to download, install, and set up Simpl Desktop to browse your PostgreSQL databases.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

- A Mac computer (Apple Silicon or Intel)
- A Simpl license key (from your account dashboard)
- A PostgreSQL database (version 12 or later recommended)
- A connection string with appropriate credentials

## Step 1: Download Simpl Desktop

1. Visit your [account dashboard](/content/dashboard/desktop/index.html)
2. Click **Download for Mac** (Apple Silicon or Intel)
3. Open the downloaded `.dmg` file
4. Drag Simpl to your Applications folder

## Step 2: Activate with Your License Key

1. Open Simpl from your Applications folder
2. When prompted, enter your license key
3. You can find your license key in your [account dashboard](/content/dashboard/desktop/index.html)

Your license key links the desktop app to your account and enables all features.

## Step 3: Add a Database Connection

### Enter Your Connection String

Provide your PostgreSQL connection string in the standard format:

```
postgresql://username:password@hostname:port/database
```

**Example connection strings:**

| Provider | Format |
| --- | --- |
| Standard | `postgresql://user:pass@localhost:5432/mydb` |
| Supabase | `postgresql://postgres.[project]:[password]@aws-0-[region].pooler.supabase.com:6543/postgres` |
| Neon | `postgresql://[user]:[password]@[endpoint].neon.tech/[database]` |
| Railway | `postgresql://postgres:[password]@[host].railway.app:5432/railway` |

### Test Your Connection

Click **Test Connection** to verify connectivity. This checks:

- Network connectivity from your machine
- Authentication credentials
- Database accessibility

### Save and Explore

Once the test passes, save your connection. Simpl will automatically:

1. Introspect your database schema
2. Discover all tables and their columns
3. Detect relationships between tables
4. Generate initial layouts for each table

## Connection Security

Your credentials are stored securely on your local machine:

- **100% local storage** 
- Credentials never leave your device
- **AES-256-GCM encryption** 
- Protected even on disk
- **Direct connections** 
- Queries go straight from your computer to your database

No data passes through our servers. Learn more in our [Security documentation](/content/docs/security/index.html).

## Managing Connections

### Viewing Connection Details

From the main screen, each database shows:

- Database name and host
- PostgreSQL version
- Total number of tables
- Estimated total rows
- Last connected timestamp

### Removing a Connection

To remove a database connection:

1. Right-click on the connection
2. Select **Delete Connection**
3. Confirm the deletion

This removes the connection from Simpl but does not affect your actual database.

## Troubleshooting

### Connection Failed

If your connection test fails, check:

1. **Credentials** 
- Verify username and password are correct
2. **Network** 
- Ensure your machine can reach the database server
3. **Firewall** 
- Check if your database allows connections from your IP
4. **SSL** 
- Some providers require SSL; add `?sslmode=require` to your connection string

### Supabase Connection Issues

If you're connecting to Supabase, use the **Connection Pooler** URL:

1. Go to your Supabase dashboard
2. Navigate to **Settings → Database → Connection string**
3. Select **Connection Pooler** (not "Direct connection")
4. Choose **Transaction** mode
5. Copy the pooler connection string

The pooler URL format:

```
postgresql://postgres.[project-ref]:[password]@aws-0-[region].pooler.supabase.com:6543/postgres
```

### Schema Not Loading

If tables aren't appearing after connection:

1. Verify the user has `SELECT` privileges on tables
2. Check that tables exist in the `public` schema
3. Try refreshing the schema manually

### Slow Connection

For distant database servers:

- Consider using a connection pooler (like PgBouncer)
- Check your database's connection limits
- Ensure adequate network bandwidth

## Next Steps

Now that you're connected, learn how to:

- [Browse your tables](/content/docs/features/browsing/index.html)
- [Search for records](/content/docs/features/search/index.html)
- [Customize your layout](/content/docs/features/layouts/index.html)