# Install Tilecast Edge

For production screens, use [Install Tilecast Player on Linux](../../players/install-linux/).

Edge is packaged differently from the current AppImage Player. Instead of starting one AppImage from a desktop session, Edge installs a signed release under system services and checks that the Player can start correctly before enabling it.

## Clean install

The preview installer is designed to:

1. verify the signed release and its files;
2. install Edge under `/opt/tilecast-edge/`;
3. create the required users, directories, and systemd services;
4. run checks for `tilecastd` and the WPE renderer;
5. check the selected display backend;
6. enable Edge only after those checks pass;
7. show setup and wait for pairing.

If the checks fail, Edge stays disabled instead of replacing a working screen with a blank Player.

## Files and services

The preview currently uses:

- `tilecast-edge.service` for `tilecastd`;
- `tilecast-renderer.service` for WPE;
- `/var/lib/tilecast-edge/` for Player state and cached content;
- `/run/tilecast-edge/` for local communication between Edge components;
- `/opt/tilecast-edge/` for installed release files.

The renderer does not get direct access to the whole Player data directory. Media is provided through the local Edge service.

If the computer already runs the current Linux AppImage Player, use the [migration guide](../migrate/) instead of doing a clean install over it.