# Getting Started

This section gives the shortest path into Monata. For the full workflow, read
the {doc}`../user-guide/index`.

## Install Monata

Install Monata from PyPI:

```bash
pip install monata
```

Install optional first-party technology metadata and bundled public model-card
assets only when you need them:

```bash
pip install monata-techlib
```

`monata-techlib` is separate from core Monata because it carries redistributed
third-party model data and notices. See {doc}`../user-guide/models-and-technology`
for the package boundary.

For local development:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/lizhangmai/monata.git
cd monata
pip install -e ".[dev]"
```

## Install a Simulation Backend

Monata can organize libraries and generate views without a simulator, but you
need at least one backend to run simulations.

- ngspice: current native subprocess backend and the best default for local
  simulations
- Xyce: deferred backend for larger or parallel simulation flows

The public Monata package does not bundle simulator binaries. The recommended
path is to use the public
[`lizhangmai-skills`](https://github.com/lizhangmai/lizhangmai-skills)
`conda-build` skill to build a local conda channel for circuit tools, then let
pixi create a project environment from that channel:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/lizhangmai/lizhangmai-skills.git
cd lizhangmai-skills/skills/conda-build
export CONDA_BUILD_OUTPUT_DIR="$HOME/.local/share/monata-conda-channel"
python3 scripts/rattler_channel.py build --recipe-set circuit-toolchain --package ngspice

pixi init "$HOME/monata-work" \
  --channel "file://$CONDA_BUILD_OUTPUT_DIR" \
  --channel https://prefix.dev/conda-forge
cd "$HOME/monata-work"
pixi add python=3.12 ngspice
pixi add --pypi monata
```

See {doc}`../toolchain/external-tools` for the public installation boundary,
extra circuit packages, and fallback source-build guidance. See
{doc}`../toolchain/ngspice` for backend details.

## Create a Library

```python
from monata import LibraryRegistry

reg = LibraryRegistry()
lib = reg.create_library(
    path="work/cmos_cells",
    name="cmos_cells",
    tech_model_paths=[],
)
cell = lib.create_cell("inverter")
```

## Next Step

Continue with {doc}`../user-guide/concepts` to understand how libraries, cells,
views, models, simulations, measurements, and optimization fit together.