> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sia.tech/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sia.tech/store-your-data/setting-up-indexd.md). # Setting up indexd `indexd` is the Sia Foundation's indexer daemon. It is the component that **manages contracts** with storage providers, tracks where your objects live on the network, monitors their health, and repairs data in the background. Applications connect to an indexer (through a [Sia Storage SDK](/store-your-data/about-renting.md)) to store and retrieve data without managing hosts or contracts themselves. {% hint style="success" %} **Most people don't need to run `indexd`.** [Sia Storage](https://sia.storage) is a hosted service that gives you **50 GB free** with nothing to install, run, or maintain — no server, no database, and no contracts to manage. Use Sia Storage unless you specifically want to operate your own indexer. {% endhint %} ## Who should self-host? Most people, including developers building applications, should not run their own indexer. Point your application at [Sia Storage](https://sia.storage) during development instead. An application connects to a hosted indexer exactly the same way it connects to one you run yourself, so there is no need to operate one in order to build or test against it. The only reason to run your own `indexd` is to retain full control over the infrastructure your data and contracts depend on, rather than relying on a hosted service. This is a decision an individual user makes for their own data, not one an application should make on their behalf. ## Before you start `indexd` is a server daemon, not a desktop application: * **There is no desktop app.** `indexd` is run from the command line or in a container. * **PostgreSQL 18 is required.** `indexd` stores its index in a PostgreSQL database. The [Docker](/store-your-data/setting-up-indexd/docker.md) guide runs PostgreSQL for you in a second container, so you don't have to install or manage a database separately. ## Install * [**Docker**](/store-your-data/setting-up-indexd/docker.md) — runs `indexd` and PostgreSQL together with Docker Compose. This is the recommended way to self-host. {% hint style="info" %} You can also run the `indexd` binary directly against your own PostgreSQL server. The binaries are available on the [official website](https://sia.tech/software/indexd), and configuration options are documented in the [indexd repository](https://github.com/SiaFoundation/indexd). {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.sia.tech/store-your-data/setting-up-indexd.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. 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.