# Getting Started!

Follow these steps in order. The full setup takes 20–60 minutes depending on your setup and PC knowledge.

***

### Before You Begin

Make sure the following are done on **both PCs** before starting any guide:

1. **Windows is fully updated** — this is the #1 cause of setup issues across the board.
2. **GPU drivers are up to date** (NVIDIA or AMD).
3. **System clock is synced** — Settings → Time & Language → Date & Time → Sync now. Unsynced clocks cause authentication failures and NDI connection issues.
4. **Run the** [**Windows Optimization Guide**](https://guides.moonlight.zip/optimize/optimize-windows-for-moonlight) on the Script PC. This matters especially for AI detection performance on NVIDIA GPUs.

***

### Step 1: Choose Your Input Device

Your input device is how the Script PC sends mouse movements to the Gaming PC. **Set this up first** — if you're using Moonlink with an Arduino, the flashing and wiring take a few minutes and you want it ready before you start the capture setup.

#### If Using Moonlink (Arduino Due or Leonardo)

1. Download the Moonlink loader from the [dashboard](https://moonlight.zip/dashboard) on the **Script PC**.
2. Run **Moonlink Flash.exe** — it handles everything automatically. Just follow the on-screen prompts.
3. Connect the Arduino to both PCs with USB cables. Your mouse plugs into the Script PC; Moonlink sends the movements through the Arduino to the Gaming PC.
4. Open Moonlink and confirm the mouse moves on the Gaming PC.

> **You only need one mouse.** Plug your mouse into the Script PC. Moonlink sends movements to the Gaming PC through the Arduino. When you're done playing, just unplug the mouse from the Script PC and plug it back into the Gaming PC to use normally.

For detailed wiring and setup:

* [Arduino Due Moonlink Guide](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/arduino-section-legacy/arduino-due-section/due-ml)
* [Arduino Leonardo Moonlink Guide](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/arduino-section-legacy/arduino-leonardo-section/leo-ml)
* [Moonlink Overview](https://guides.moonlight.zip/overviews/moonlink-legacy-overview)

#### If Using MAKCU, Ferrum, or Other HID Device

Skip the Arduino/Moonlink setup entirely. These devices handle input directly — just plug them in and select them in the Moonlight settings. Ferrum handles mouse passthrough in hardware, so you don't need the Moonlink app at all.

#### If Using GeForce Now or Cloud Gaming

Select **Moonlink mode** as the aim device in settings. No hardware is required — Moonlink mode uses SendInput.

***

### Step 2: Set Up the Capture Method (Gaming PC)

This is where most setup time goes. You need to choose **one** capture method and follow the corresponding guide.

#### Which Capture Method Should I Use?

Use this decision tree:

**Do you have a capture card?**

* **Yes, PCIe card** → Use the [OBS Projector Method](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/capture-card/obs-capture-card-setup-guide) (recommended). It lets you play at any resolution while the capture card gets a clean 1080p 240Hz signal. If you play at 1080p natively and want the simplest setup, the [Passthrough Method](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/capture-card/passthrough-capture-card-guide) also works.
* **Yes, USB card** → If you play at 1080p, use [Passthrough](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/capture-card/passthrough-capture-card-guide). If you play at higher resolutions, use [OBS Projector](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/capture-card/obs-capture-card-setup-guide).

**No capture card — both PCs on the same router or switch?**

* → Use [NDI Network Switch](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/ndi/network-switch) (easier to set up, recommended)
* → Or [UDP Network Switch](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/udp/network-switch) (more control over bitrate, more manual config)

**No capture card — Gaming PC on Wi-Fi, or using a dedicated direct Ethernet link?**

* → Use [NDI Direct PC to PC](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/ndi/direct-pc-to-pc-link) (recommended)
* → Or [UDP Direct PC to PC](https://guides.moonlight.zip/guides/udp/direct-pc-to-pc-link)

> **Not sure between NDI and UDP?** Use NDI. It's easier to set up and most users have a better experience with it. UDP is there if you want manual bitrate control.
>
> **Capture card vs network streaming:** Capture cards generally give the lowest latency and most stable performance. NDI/UDP are free and work well but add some network overhead. If you're buying new hardware specifically for this, a capture card is the better investment.

***

### Step 3: Set Up Moonlight (Script PC)

This is the PC that runs the detection software.

#### Moonlight AI

1. Download the latest version from the [dashboard](https://moonlight.zip/dashboard).
2. Extract the folder to `C:\` so it looks like `C:\MoonlightAI\`.
3. **Run Moonlight.exe as administrator.** Right-click → Run as administrator. This is required — multiple setup issues are caused by not running as admin.
4. The setup wizard walks you through capture device, input device, game/FOV, model selection, DPI, and aim style. Follow the prompts.
5. After the wizard: check **Aim Enabled** on the Aim page, then click **Start Moonlight**.

**Before you start tweaking settings:** Download 3–5 community configs from the configs channel in Discord. Place them in the `C:\MoonlightAI\configs\` folder. Community configs are tested and save you hours of manual tuning. Load one, change your DPI and in-game sensitivity to match your setup, and try it in the practice range.

For detailed configuration guidance: [Moonlight AI Configuration Overview](https://guides.moonlight.zip/overviews/moonlight-ai-settings-overview)

For troubleshooting: [Moonlight AI Troubleshooting](https://guides.moonlight.zip/troubleshoot/moonlight-ai-troubleshooting)

#### Moonlight Color

1. Download the **Beta Color** version from the [dashboard](https://moonlight.zip/dashboard) — this has the most up-to-date features.
2. **Run as administrator.**
3. Select your aim device and capture mode in the menu.
4. Download community configs from the configs channel — the default config has known issues that community configs fix.

For detailed settings: [Moonlight Color Settings Overview](https://guides.moonlight.zip/overviews/moonlight-color-settings-overview)

***

### Step 4: Verify Everything Works

Before jumping into a real game:

1. Open your game on the Gaming PC.
2. On the Script PC, press Start in Moonlight. The **debug window** should show the live game feed.
3. Check the performance numbers in the debug view:
   * **Capture FPS** — should be near your configured FPS (e.g., 240)
   * **Detection FPS (DPS)** — should be in the hundreds.
   * **Program Latency** — lower is better, single-digit ms is ideal
4. Go to the practice range or a bot match. Hold your aim key and verify the aim assist engages.

If something isn't working, check:

* Is Aim Enabled checked?
* Is the correct aim key set?
* Is the capture device actually receiving video? (Check the debug window)
* Are you running Moonlight as administrator?

***

### Common First-Time Issues

**"All login attempts failed"** Update Windows, sync your clock, and make sure you added key time on the dashboard.

**HWID reset needed** If you reinstalled Windows or changed PCs, your hardware ID changed. Open a support ticket in Discord for a reset.

**Detection FPS is very low (under 40)**

* Install **CUDA 12.6** if you're on NVIDIA and want to use TensorRT backend
* Update GPU drivers
* Run the Windows optimization guide
* Try a smaller model (224 instead of 320/640)

**Capture shows "WAITING"** This is a capture method issue, not a Moonlight issue. Go back to your capture guide (NDI/UDP/Capture Card) and work through the troubleshooting section.

**Moonlight crashes or closes randomly** Update Windows, sync clock, update GPU drivers, run as admin. If using a mini PC, check thermal throttling.

***

### Quick Reference: Setup Order

| Step | What                                    | Where     |
| ---- | --------------------------------------- | --------- |
| 0    | Update Windows, GPU drivers, sync clock | Both PCs  |
| 0    | Run Windows optimization guide          | Script PC |
| 1    | Flash Arduino / connect input device    | Script PC |
| 2    | Set up capture method (OBS, NDI, UDP)   | Gaming PC |
| 3    | Install and configure Moonlight         | Script PC |
| 4    | Load community config, set DPI/sens     | Script PC |
| 5    | Test in practice range                  | Both PCs  |

***

### Need Help?

* Press the **Upload Log** button in the bottom left corner of Moonlight's menu, then post in the [support channel](https://discord.com/channels/1268716929191907379/1389426631730266112) on Discord.
* For issues that need hands-on help, ask support for a remote assistance session.


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