> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dcc-5ccd5152.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# BigFred Admin: First Login and Initial Setup Steps

> Complete first-boot setup: change the default admin PIN, create your layout, add a command station, create user accounts, and assign DCC address pools.

After `loco-server` starts for the first time it is ready to use, but it ships with a known default admin PIN and no layout or command station configured. Work through these steps once to go from a fresh install to a fully operational BigFred session. The whole process takes about ten minutes.

<Warning>
  The default admin credentials are **username: `admin`, PIN: `123456`**. These are publicly known. Change the PIN before anyone else accesses the server — do not skip Step 3.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  ### Open the BigFred web UI

  In a browser on any device connected to the same network as your server, navigate to:

  ```
  http://<server-ip>:8080
  ```

  You should see the BigFred login screen. If you are on the server itself, `http://localhost:8080` works too.

  <Tip>
    Make a note of the server's IP address and share it with your operators in your layout documentation. On a Raspberry Pi, consider assigning a static IP address so the address never changes between sessions.
  </Tip>

  ### Log in with the default credentials

  Enter the bootstrap credentials and log in:

  | Field    | Value    |
  | -------- | -------- |
  | Username | `admin`  |
  | PIN      | `123456` |

  After logging in you will be placed in the **System** layout. This is a built-in fallback layout that exists so the very first login has somewhere to land — you will create a real layout in a later step.

  ### Change the admin PIN immediately

  Go to **Account → Change PIN** and set a new PIN that only you know. The default PIN `123456` must not remain active once your server is on the network.

  Keep your new PIN somewhere safe. If you lose access to the admin account, recovery requires direct access to the server.

  ### Create your layout

  The System layout is a fallback — create a dedicated layout that represents your actual model railroad.

  1. Go to **Admin → Layouts → New Layout**.
  2. Give it a descriptive name (for example, "Main Basement Layout" or your railroad's name).
  3. Save.

  You can create multiple layouts if you run separate operating sessions with different configurations.

  ### Add a command station

  BigFred needs to know how to reach your DCC command station before it can send any throttle commands.

  1. Go to **Admin → Command Stations → New**.

  2. Choose the command station type:

     | Type               | Connection details required                         |
     | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
     | **Z21**            | IP address and port (default Z21 port is **21105**) |
     | **LocoNet Serial** | Serial device path (e.g. `/dev/ttyUSB0`)            |
     | **LocoNet TCP**    | IP address and port                                 |

  3. Enter the connection details for your command station and save.

  4. On the command station's detail page, assign it to the layout you created in the previous step.

  BigFred will attempt to connect to the command station immediately after you save and assign it. Check the command station status indicator to confirm the connection is established.

  ### Create operator accounts

  Each person who will run trains on your layout needs their own BigFred account.

  1. Go to **Admin → Users → New User**.
  2. Set a **username** and an initial **PIN** for the operator.
  3. Save, then share the username and PIN with the operator. They can change their own PIN after first login.

  Repeat for each operator on your roster.

  ### Assign DCC address pools

  Every operator account needs a range of DCC addresses from which they are permitted to register vehicles. Without an address pool, an operator cannot claim any locomotives.

  1. On the **Admin → Users** list, open the detail page for the operator.
  2. Under **DCC Address Ranges**, add one or more address ranges (for example, `3–99` for short addresses, or `1000–1099` for a specific operator's fleet).
  3. Save.

  <Note>
    The bootstrap `admin` account is seeded with a generous default address pool automatically, so you can register test vehicles right away without an extra configuration step.
  </Note>

  ### (Optional) Enable handset server support

  If you use physical handsets — Z21 app-compatible devices or WiThrottle handsets — you can enable the corresponding server on your command station.

  1. Open the command station's detail page in **Admin → Command Stations**.
  2. Enable the **Z21 server** (UDP, port **21105**) if you use Roco/Fleischmann Z21 app handsets.
  3. Enable the **WiThrottle server** (TCP, port **12090**) if you use WiThrottle-compatible apps or handsets (e.g. Engine Driver).
  4. Save. Your handsets can now pair directly with BigFred.
</Steps>

## You're Ready

Once you have completed these steps, BigFred is fully operational. Your operators can log in with their credentials, claim vehicles from the DCC address pool you assigned, and start running trains. Return to the admin panel at any time to add new users, adjust address pools, or manage layouts.