> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Go from install to your first balance.

**1. Install**

Pick [desktop](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/getting-started/install-desktop.md), [StartOS](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/getting-started/install-startos.md), or [Umbrel](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/getting-started/install-umbrel.md).

**2. Set your PIN**

Choose a 6-digit PIN. You enter it each time you open Control Center. See [PIN and lock](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/security/pin.md).

**3. Choose an Electrum server**

On desktop, the app starts on a public server. Switch to your own for privacy. See [First run](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/getting-started/first-run.md).

StartOS and Umbrel use your own node automatically.

**4. Add an account**

Select **Add Account**. Pick a [wallet](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/accounts/hardware-wallets.md), [exchange](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/accounts/exchanges.md), or [manual](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/accounts/manual-and-etfs.md) holding.

![Add Account screen listing wallets, exchanges, and manual entry](https://mintcdn.com/hoseki-corp/XCQqCRepRDP5H4K0/images/accounts-add-account.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=XCQqCRepRDP5H4K0\&q=85\&s=b6bd1b1a84943015121ec9110af604f5)

Pick an account type.

**5. Prove control (wallets only)**

Sign one message on your hardware wallet. This marks the wallet **verified** so it can go on a [statement](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/statements/statements-and-hoseki-verified.md). See [Verify ownership](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/accounts/verify-ownership.md).

**6. Back up**

Set up [backups](https://help.bitcoincontrolcenter.com/maintenance/backup-restore.md) before you rely on it.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Never enter a seed phrase or private key. Control Center never asks for one.


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