> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stardeck.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Stardeck Edge overview

> Connect your Stardeck apps to receipt printers, cash drawers, and customer-facing displays at a physical location.

Stardeck Edge connects a cloud-hosted Stardeck app to hardware at your location. An Edge machine
sits on the same site as your printer or display, maintains a secure connection to Stardeck, and
delivers jobs from the apps you allow to use it.

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A["Your Stardeck app"] --> B["Stardeck"]
    B --> C["Edge machine"]
    C --> D["Receipt printer"]
    D --> E["Cash drawer"]
    C --> F["HDMI display"]
```

<Info>
  These guides assume your Edge machine has already been prepared by Stardeck. You do not need to
  install an operating system or software on it.
</Info>

## What you can connect

An Edge machine can connect to:

* compatible ESC/POS receipt printers over USB, serial, or a configured network connection
* a cash drawer connected to a compatible receipt printer
* up to two HDMI displays, depending on the Edge machine model

If you are choosing hardware, confirm compatibility with
[Stardeck support](mailto:support@stardeck.ai) before buying it.

## How setup works

There are three separate connections:

| Connection                         | What it does                                        | Where you manage it                              |
| ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Pair the Edge machine**          | Connects the physical machine to your organization  | Organization **Settings → Edge Devices**         |
| **Grant it to an app**             | Allows one of your apps to use the machine          | The app's **Settings → Integrations**            |
| **Pair a printer or screen alias** | Gives the app a stable name such as `front-counter` | The app's **Settings → Integrations → Pairings** |

Pair the machine once. You can then grant it to one or more apps without repeating the physical
setup.

## What you need

Before setup, have these ready:

* the Edge machine and its power adapter
* a phone, tablet, or laptop with Wi-Fi
* the location's Wi-Fi name and password, or an Ethernet connection
* access to your Stardeck organization dashboard
* any printer, cash drawer, or display you plan to connect

The location network must have working internet access. Networks that require a browser sign-in,
such as many hotel and guest networks, cannot complete setup.

## Edge machine and peripheral status

The dashboard shows the machine separately from its peripherals:

* **Machine status** tells you whether Stardeck can currently reach the Edge machine.
* **Peripheral status** tells you whether an individual printer or display is physically detected.

An online machine can still have a disconnected printer. Check both levels when a job does not
reach the hardware.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set up an Edge machine" icon="plug" href="/stardeck-edge/setup">
    Power it on, connect it to the location network, and pair it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set up printers and drawers" icon="print" href="/stardeck-edge/printers-and-drawers">
    Configure a receipt printer and test its cash drawer.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect Edge to an app" icon="link" href="/stardeck-edge/connect-to-an-app">
    Grant access, create pairings, and configure receipt branding.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshoot Edge" icon="screwdriver-wrench" href="/stardeck-edge/troubleshooting">
    Diagnose setup, network, printer, display, and update problems.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>