---
title: Installation
description: Download, install, and set up Polymerium on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
---

## Download

Grab the latest release for your platform from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/d3ara1n/Polymerium/releases).

| Platform | File |
|----------|------|
| Windows x64 | `Polymerium-win-Setup.exe` |
| Linux x64 | `Polymerium.AvaloniaImage` |
| macOS ARM | `Polymerium-osx-Setup.pkg` |

Each platform uses its standard installer format. Run it and follow the prompts.

## macOS: PKG Installation Notice

Because the PKG installer is not signed with an Apple Developer certificate, macOS Gatekeeper may block it with a "damaged" warning. To install:

1. Right-click the `.pkg` file and choose **Open**.
2. If that doesn't work, remove the quarantine flag from Terminal:

```bash
xattr -d com.apple.quarantine Polymerium-osx-arm64-Setup.pkg
```

3. Open the `.pkg` file again and follow the installer.

> This is a one-time workaround. A future release may switch to DMG distribution which avoids this issue.

## Windows: Enable Developer Mode

Polymerium uses symbolic links to share mod files across instances without duplication. On Windows, creating symlinks requires **Developer Mode**.

1. Open **Settings → System → For developers**
2. Toggle **Developer Mode** on
3. Confirm the prompt

This is a one-time setup. It doesn't compromise security — it only allows your user account to create symbolic links, which is the default on macOS and Linux.

> macOS and Linux users don't need any special configuration — symlinks work out of the box.

## First Launch: The OOBE Wizard

When you open Polymerium for the first time, the OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience) wizard walks you through:

1. **Welcome & Features** — a quick overview of what Polymerium can do.
2. **Privilege Check** — Polymerium tests whether it can create symlinks in its data directory. If this fails on Windows, you need to enable Developer Mode (see above).
3. **Quick Setup** — optionally configure Java paths and language.
4. **Privacy** — choose whether to send crash reports via Sentry.
5. **Done** — you're ready to create your first instance.

## What Gets Installed Where

Polymerium stores all its data in `~/.trident/` on every platform. This includes settings, cached files, and your instances.

| Data | Location |
|------|----------|
| Settings | `~/.trident/settings.json` |
| Persistence DB | `~/.trident/persistence.sqlite.db` |
| HTTP cache | `~/.trident/cache.sqlite.db` |
| Shared mod cache | `~/.trident/cache/packages/` |
| Game assets | `~/.trident/cache/assets/` |
| Instances | `~/.trident/instances/` |

> Want to place data on a different drive? See [Custom Data Directory →](/docs/guides/custom-data-directory).

## Next Step

Now that Polymerium is running, [create your first instance →](/docs/getting-started/first-instance)
