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

# Getting started with Navigator

Anaconda Navigator is a desktop application that is built on top of the conda <Tooltip tip="Software files and information about the software, such as its name, the specific version, and a description, that are bundled into a file that can be installed and managed by a package manager.">package</Tooltip> and <Tooltip tip="A self-contained, isolated space for installing and running software packages.">environment</Tooltip> manager. Navigator enables you to use conda to manage environments and packages but in a graphical application instead of a command line interface (CLI).

This short guide takes you through the basic steps of using Navigator.

<Note>
  Conda's [getting started guide](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/getting-started.html) goes through some of these same instructions while using the conda CLI.
</Note>

<Tip>
  New to Anaconda tools? Check out [Anaconda Desktop](/tools/anaconda-desktop/key-features), which provides a modern interface for environment management plus local AI model capabilities.
</Tip>

## Before you start

You should [have Navigator installed](/tools/anaconda-navigator/install). Navigator is included with Anaconda Distribution, but not Miniconda.

## Starting Navigator

Navigator starts by default when Anaconda Distribution is first installed. If you have installed Anaconda Distribution before, open Navigator using the following instructions:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows">
    From the Start menu, search for "Anaconda Navigator" and click to open.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    Open Launchpad, then click the Anaconda-Navigator icon.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    1. Open a terminal window.
    2. Open Navigator by using the following command:

    ```sh theme={null}
    anaconda-navigator
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Managing Navigator

<Note>
  When Navigator opens, it verifies that Anaconda is installed. If Navigator does not start up properly, see the [Troubleshooting](/reference/troubleshooting#navigator-issues) page.
</Note>

When you start Navigator, it automatically checks for a new version. If Navigator finds a new version, you will see a dialog like this:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/eSsEBS6xLmJK8V-1/images/navigator-new-update.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=eSsEBS6xLmJK8V-1&q=85&s=f64244e772540ff78e64e4650d68def6" alt="" width="880" height="466" data-path="images/navigator-new-update.png" />
</Frame>

Click **Yes** to update Navigator to the current version.

<Tip>
  Anaconda recommends keeping Navigator updated to the latest version.
</Tip>

## Managing application tiles

By default, all application tiles available to launch or install within Navigator are displayed on the Home page. Filter the application tiles with the applications dropdown menu.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/6D31YpqRkubqi7Pk/images/nav-application-dropdown.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6D31YpqRkubqi7Pk&q=85&s=b59828adaa0b950bbd3030ab4a2d3d17" alt="" width="3460" height="2164" data-path="images/nav-application-dropdown.png" />
</Frame>

The dropdown contains filters for all applications, applications that are installed on your computer, applications that are not installed, and applications that have an update available.

## Managing environments

Navigator uses the conda package and environment manager to create conda environments. Conda environments are directories within your file system that contain a specific collection of packages and package dependencies. Environments are isolated from one another and enable you to quickly switch between projects with drastically different needs.

In this example, we will create a new environment named `myenvironment`:

1. On the **Environments** page, click **Create**.

   <Frame>
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/6D31YpqRkubqi7Pk/images/nav-getting-started-create.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6D31YpqRkubqi7Pk&q=85&s=31b3e7db8d112152b8686b926615e136" alt="" width="3460" height="2162" data-path="images/nav-getting-started-create.png" />
   </Frame>

2. In the **Environment** name field, type a descriptive name for your environment.

3. Click **Create**. Navigator creates the new environment and activates it.

4. Now you have two environments: the default environment `base (root)` and `myenvironment`.

   <Warning>
     Anaconda does not recommend working in your base environment.
   </Warning>

5. Switch between environments by clicking the name of the environment you want to use. This will deactivate the first environment and activate the environment you just selected.

   <Tip>
     The active environment is the one with the arrow beside its name.
   </Tip>

For more documentation on environments, see [Managing environments](/tools/anaconda-navigator/tutorials/manage-environments) in the Tutorials section.

## Managing Python

When you create a new environment, Navigator installs Python 3.11 by default. To use a different version of Python in a given environment:

* specify when you create the environment
* change the Python package version in an existing environment

### Changing the Python version when creating an environment

In this example, we will create a new environment named `python39` that contains Python 3.11:

1. On the **Environments** page, click **Create**.
2. In the **Environment name** field, type the descriptive name "python311".
3. Select the latest version of Python 3.11 from the **Python** dropdown.
4. Click **Create**.

### Changing the Python version in an existing environment

In this example, we will change the Python version of `myenvironment` to Python 3.14:

1. On the **Environments** page, select `myenvironment` (which we created in the [Managing environments](#managing-environments) section above) from the environment list to activate it.

2. Select *Installed* from the package filter dropdown.

   <Frame>
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/6D31YpqRkubqi7Pk/images/nav-getting-started-not-installed.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6D31YpqRkubqi7Pk&q=85&s=d7cd649636813abc9c16393170d2ec1c" alt="" width="3460" height="2164" data-path="images/nav-getting-started-not-installed.png" />
   </Frame>

3. Select the Python package checkbox and hover over *Mark for specific version installation*.

4. Select one of the *3.14* Python versions from the dropdown that appears.

   <Frame>
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/7gjyrPm8WpKInB-A/images/nav-change-python-version.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7gjyrPm8WpKInB-A&q=85&s=f929cfda61e52dee8d88d151c1ea623d" alt="" width="1922" height="1057" data-path="images/nav-change-python-version.png" />
   </Frame>

5. Click **Apply**.

6. A dialog listing all the packages that will be modified appears. Click **Apply**.

## Managing packages

On the **Environments** page, you can:

* View which packages are in each environment
* Search for and install new packages
* Upgrade existing packages
* Delete packages

In this example, we will install a package called `beautifulsoup4` into `myenvironment`.

1. On the **Environments** page, select `myenvironment` from the environment list to activate it.

2. Open the package filter dropdown and select *Not installed* to view a list of packages that are available to install from the <Tooltip tip="A location (URL or file path) in a repository where conda looks for packages.">channels</Tooltip> you are connected to.

3. Type "beautifulsoup4" into the **Search packages** box.

   <Frame>
     <img src="https://mintcdn.com/anaconda-29683c67/eSsEBS6xLmJK8V-1/images/nav-beautiful-soup-install.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=eSsEBS6xLmJK8V-1&q=85&s=5d01e210c3694afd9578831ea1f5d801" alt="" width="2760" height="1386" data-path="images/nav-beautiful-soup-install.png" />
   </Frame>

4. Select the checkbox beside `beautifulsoup4` in the package list.

5. Click **Apply**.

6. A dialog appears that lists all packages that will be installed. Click **Apply**.

7. Open the package filter dropdown and select *Installed*.

The newly installed `beautifulsoup4` package is now displayed in the list of installed programs in the current environment.

For more documentation on packages, see [Managing packages](/tools/anaconda-navigator/tutorials/manage-packages) in the Tutorials section.

## Managing channels

Navigator installs packages from locations called [channels](/getting-started/concepts/what-is-a-channel). Unless configured otherwise, Navigator searches for packages from Anaconda's public repositories, also know as [defaults](/getting-started/working-with-conda/channels#configuring-defaults).

<Note>
  Use of Anaconda's public package repositories is subject to our [Terms of Service](https://www.anaconda.com/legal).
</Note>

If you can't find the package you're looking for, try [searching for it in Anaconda.org](/tools/anaconda-org/searching-packages). You can find packages in other channels as well, such as `conda-forge`.

In this example, we will add a channel connection to `conda-forge` in Navigator's channel manager:

1. Click **Channels**.
2. Click **Add…**.
3. Enter "conda-forge" into the textbox that appears.
4. Press Enter (Windows)/Return (Mac) on your keyboard.
5. Click **Update channels**.

Your package search within Navigator will now also include packages available via `conda-forge`.

For more documentation on managing channels in Navigator, see [Managing channels](/tools/anaconda-navigator/tutorials/manage-channels) in the Tutorials section.

## More information

* [Troubleshooting Navigator](/tools/anaconda-navigator/troubleshooting-navigator)
* [Community support](https://forum.anaconda.com)
* [Paid support options](https://anaconda.com/app/support-center)
* [Learning resources](https://anaconda.com/learning)