# Before you start

Before you install Overleaf, it's important to familiarize yourself with the requirements, installation process, configuration options, and upgrade sections of this documentation. It's also crucial to have a solid understanding of your organization's requirements for using Overleaf and the necessary underlying infrastructure needed for its successful operation.

## What can I do to prepare?

Understand the requirements for running Overleaf. This involves evaluating your organization's existing server environment, network capabilities and storage resources. Ensure that your infrastructure meets or exceeds the specified requirements outlined in this documentation.

Before initiating the installation process, ensure you have administrative access to the server where you intend to deploy Overleaf. This may involve coordinating with your IT team or system administrators to obtain the necessary permissions and resources. Additionally, review any security considerations or network policies that might impact the installation.

{% content-ref url="/pages/uwZ5ID82o2e3NMhDy9Sy" %}
[Requirements](/on-premises/getting-started/requirements.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## What if I have a problem?

{% hint style="info" %}
Please note that we are **not** able to provide support for local installations of the free Community Edition.
{% endhint %}

If you encounter any problems, we recommend first consulting the [troubleshooting](/on-premises/support/troubleshooting.md) section of the documentation as it contains common issues and required information needed by the support team if you need to reach out for assistance.

By following these steps and thoroughly reading the documentation, you'll be well-prepared to install, configure, and maintain Overleaf according to your organization's requirements. Remember that a solid understanding of your infrastructure and the installation process is key to a successful deployment.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.overleaf.com/on-premises/getting-started/before-you-start.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.