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+# Automator setup guide
+
+## 1. Clone the repo
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/Lab5015/automator.git
+```
+
+---
+
+## 2. Create a config file
+
+Inside the `cfg/` folder, create a configuration file corresponding to one of the following setups:  
+**[CERN, CIT, MIB, PKU, UVA]**
+
+**e.g. (`cfg/CERN.yaml`):**
+```yaml
+automator_path: /home/cmsdaq/DAQ/automator/
+db_path: /home/cmsdaq/DAQ/automator/runs.db
+mtd_daq_path: /home/cmsdaq/DAQ/mtd_daq/
+
+qaqc_url: http://pc-mtd-tb03/tray_qaqc
+
+pre_cmd: ""
+
+lyso_peaks_correlate: false
+```
+
+---
+
+## 3. Create systemd service files
+
+You need to create **two service files** in `/etc/systemd/system/` to enable communication between the **reco PC** and **Serenity**.
+
+###  `automator_processor.service`
+```
+[Unit]
+Description=automator processor
+After=multi-user.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+User=cmsdaq
+Restart=always
+ExecStart=/bin/bash -c 'source ~/.bashrc; micromamba activate automator-env; cd /home/cmsdaq/DAQ/automator/ && python -u processor_demon.py -b CERN'
+StandardOutput=journal
+StandardError=journal
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+###  `automator_server.service`
+```
+[Unit]
+Description=automator server
+After=multi-user.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+User=cmsdaq
+Restart=always
+ExecStart=/bin/bash -c 'source ~/.bashrc; micromamba activate automator-env; cd /home/cmsdaq/DAQ/automator/ && python -u main.py -b CERN'
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+```
+
+---
+
+## 4. Python environment
+
+In the `ExecStart` command, make sure you specify your **Python environment**.  
+In the examples above, we use a **micromamba environment** called `automator-env`.
+
+You’ll need the following Python packages:
+- `fastapi`
+- `sqlalchemy`
+- `ruamel.yaml`
+- `aiosqlite`
+
+**example of environment**
+```bash
+micromamba create -n automator-env python=3.10
+micromamba activate automator-env
+pip install fastapi sqlalchemy ruamel.yaml aiosqlite
+```
+
+---
+
+## 5. Permissions
+
+Ensure that both service files have the correct ownership and SELinux context.  
+They should show something like:
+
+```
+unconfined_u:object_r:systemd_unit_file_t:s0
+```
+
+and **not** `home_t` or other types.  
+If needed, you can adjust permissions using:
+
+```bash
+sudo chown root:root /etc/systemd/system/automator_*.service
+sudo restorecon -v /etc/systemd/system/automator_*.service
+```
+
+---
+
+## 6. Open a permanent port (for Serenity Communication)
+
+Depending on your OS, the procedure may vary.  
+For **AlmaLinux 9**, use:
+
+```bash
+# Add the port
+sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=5558/tcp
+
+# Reload firewall rules
+sudo firewall-cmd --reload
+
+# Check that the port was added
+sudo firewall-cmd --list-ports
+```
+
+---
+
+## 7. Enable and start the services
+
+```bash
+sudo systemctl daemon-reload
+sudo systemctl start automator_server.service
+sudo systemctl start automator_processor.service
+```
+
+Check their status:
+```bash
+sudo systemctl status automator_server.service
+sudo systemctl status automator_processor.service
+```
+
+---
+
+## 8. Access the GUI
+
+Once everything is set up, you can access the web interface at:
+
+```
+http://<your-pc-hostname>:5558
+```
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