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Installation & First Launch

Conio runs as a self-contained Docker container. Your project data stays entirely on your machine — nothing is uploaded to any external server except a license validation signal (see Licensing).

The installer handles everything: it downloads the app, creates shortcuts, and launches Conio automatically. No command-line usage is required.

System requirements​

RequirementMinimum
Operating systemWindows 10 (build 19041 / 21H1) or Windows 11
Architecturex64 (Intel / AMD) or ARM64
RAM4 GB free
Disk~900 MB for the Docker image + space for project databases
InternetRequired on first install and for AI features; optional thereafter (7-day offline grace)
Google accountRequired — tables are imported via Google Sheets
Docker DesktopVersion 4.x or later (see installation guide below)

Step 1 — Install Docker Desktop​

Docker Desktop must be installed and running before you install Conio. Choose the installer that matches your machine's processor:

ProcessorInstaller
Intel or AMD (x64)Docker Desktop for Windows — AMD64
Qualcomm / ARM (ARM64)Docker Desktop for Windows — ARM64

If you are unsure which applies, open Settings → System → About in Windows. Under System type, it will say "x64-based PC" or "ARM-based PC".

Run the installer and accept the defaults. When prompted, choose "Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V" — this is the recommended backend for both architectures.

After installation, restart your machine, then open Docker Desktop and wait for the whale icon in the system tray to stop animating before continuing.

Troubleshooting Docker startup​

Docker Desktop relies on Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2). If Docker hangs on startup or shows "WSL kernel update required", follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings → Apps → Optional features → More Windows features.
  2. Ensure both Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Subsystem for Linux are checked.
  3. Click OK and restart your machine.
  4. After restart, open PowerShell and run: 
    wsl --update
  5. Launch Docker Desktop again.

If Docker still hangs after the above steps, open Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now, then navigate to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings and confirm that Virtualization Technology (VT-x / AMD-V) is enabled in your BIOS. Enabling it and restarting usually resolves persistent startup issues.

Windows Home users

Hyper-V is not available on Windows Home editions, but Conio does not require it — WSL 2 is sufficient and works on all Windows 10/11 editions including Home.

Step 2 — Download and install Conio​

  1. Visit conio.quanomics.com and request a download. Confirm your email address when prompted — a download link will be sent to your inbox.
  2. Open the email and click the link to download the installer.
  3. Run the installer. It sets up Conio and places two shortcuts on your Desktop: Conio and Stop Conio.
  4. Double-click Conio to start the app.

Step 3 — Confirm the app is healthy​

A small launcher window will appear and walk through startup automatically. Your browser opens at http://localhost:8000 when ready (allow up to 2 minutes on first launch while the image downloads; under 10 seconds on subsequent starts).

Confirm the app is healthy​

When the browser opens you should see:

  • The Conio sidebar with a FREE badge below the logo.
  • No red banners or error overlays.

If you see a mandatory update overlay, see Troubleshooting — mandatory update overlay.

Update notifications​

When a newer version of Conio is available, a dismissible banner appears across the top of the app. Click Update Now — Conio will download the new image and reload automatically. The app remains fully usable while you wait.

If the automatic update does not work​

If the banner persists after clicking Update Now, or the version shown in Settings has not changed, use the manual update procedure:

  1. Open PowerShell in your Conio installation folder (default: C:\Conio\).
  2. Run: 
    docker compose pull
    docker compose up -d --force-recreate
  3. Wait 30 seconds, then reload http://localhost:8000.

See Troubleshooting — update not working for more detail.

Stopping the app​

Double-click the Stop Conio shortcut. The container stops gracefully and all project data in conio-data\ is preserved. You can also stop it from Docker Desktop's container list.

Next step​

Create your first project →