# Running the panel

> The FeatherPanel operator guide in one place. Install the panel, put it behind a web server with SSL, configure workers and settings, update it and back it up.

Source: https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/

These pages cover the panel host: the machine that runs the FeatherPanel web app, its database and its workers. Game nodes
are covered in [FeatherWings](https://featherpanel.com/docs/wings) and web hosting nodes in [FeatherQuilld](https://featherpanel.com/docs/quilld).

## Install

| Page | Covers |
|------|--------|
| [Installation overview](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/installation) | Every install method and how to choose |
| [Docker (installer)](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/installation/docker) | The recommended path on Debian and Ubuntu |
| [All-in-one image](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/installation/all-in-one) | One container with everything inside |
| [Source install](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/installation/source) | Manual install without Docker |
| [Windows (Docker Desktop)](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/installation/windows) | Running the panel on Windows |
| [Web server](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/web-server) | Nginx, Apache, Caddy or a Cloudflare Tunnel in front of the panel |
| [SSL certificates](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/ssl) | Let's Encrypt through the installer |

## Configure and operate

| Page | Covers |
|------|--------|
| [Cron and workers](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/cron-and-workers) | Scheduled jobs and the async runner |
| [Environment variables](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/environment-variables) | Every variable the backend reads |
| [Settings reference](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/settings) | Every setting in the admin area |
| [Realtime (Mercure)](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/realtime) | Live updates and the polling fallback |
| [MCP server](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/mcp-server) | Let AI clients manage the panel |
| [Updating](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/updating) | Updates with the installer, the admin area or Docker Compose |
| [Backups and snapshots](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/backups) | What to back up and how to restore |
| [Uninstalling](https://featherpanel.com/docs/panel/uninstall) | Removing the panel cleanly |

After the panel runs, the [admin guide](https://featherpanel.com/docs/admin) explains users, nodes, servers and the rest of the admin area.