# Installation

Insights ships as a single binary distributed only through Synadia. To obtain it, sign up for a [trial](trial.md) or arrange a license agreement.

Supported platforms:

- Linux (amd64, arm64)
- macOS (amd64, arm64)
- Windows (amd64)

## Download

Your trial or license welcome materials include the download URL and credentials for the release binaries. Pick the archive matching your platform, extract it, and verify it runs:

```sh
./insights --help
```

## Configure a License

A license JWT is required when running against a real NATS system. The simulator (`--simulator.enabled`) skips license validation, so you can evaluate Insights without one.

Provide the JWT as either a token or a file. The file form is recommended for production — it stays out of shell history and is easier to rotate.

```sh
insights --license.file /etc/insights/license.jwt
```

```yaml
license:
  file: /etc/insights/license.jwt
```

Inline tokens (`--license.token`, `INSIGHTS_LICENSE_TOKEN`, or `license.token` in YAML) are also supported. If both are set, the file wins. See [Configuration › license](../reference/configuration.md#license) for the full reference.

At startup, Insights logs the expiry — watch the log line so you renew before the grace period runs out:

```
level=INFO msg="license validated" expires_at=2026-12-31T23:59:59Z
```

For a new license or renewal, contact Synadia at <https://www.synadia.com/contact>.

## Next Steps

- [Quick Start](quickstart.md). Run Insights with the simulator or connect to a real NATS system.
- [Deployment Guide](../guides/deployment.md). Production deployment topologies and configuration.