Install PushNav¶

PushNav runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Pick your platform below, and you'll be up and running in a few minutes.

Download¶

Grab the latest release from GitHub:

Platform	What to download
Windows	`PushNav-windows-x64-setup.exe`
macOS (Apple Silicon, M1/M2/M3/M4)	`PushNav-macOS-arm64.dmg`
Linux	`PushNav-linux-x86_64.AppImage`

Windows¶

Install¶

Run the downloaded PushNav-windows-x64-setup.exe
Click Yes when Windows asks for permission to install
Follow the installer (the defaults are fine)
PushNav appears in your Start Menu

First launch: firewall prompt¶

The first time PushNav starts, Windows Firewall will ask if you want to allow PushNav to communicate on your network. Tick "Private networks" and click Allow access. This lets other devices on your Wi-Fi (your phone for the mobile companion view, and telescope apps like SkySafari) connect to PushNav.

If PushNav won't start at all

If you see an error about a missing .dll file, you may need to install the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime (a one-time, free download from Microsoft). Most Windows 10/11 machines already have it.

macOS¶

Install¶

Open the downloaded .dmg file
Drag PushNav into your Applications folder

First launch: security prompts¶

Because PushNav is a free, open-source app and isn't sold through the Mac App Store, macOS will show a couple of prompts the first time you open it. This is normal.

Security warning. macOS will say it can't verify the developer:

macOS 14 and earlier: Right-click PushNav in Applications → click Open → click Open again in the confirmation dialog
macOS 15 (Sequoia) and later: Double-click PushNav (it will be blocked), then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click Open Anyway

You only need to do this once.

Camera access. macOS will ask if PushNav can use your camera. Click Allow. PushNav needs the camera to see the stars.

Network access. macOS will ask if PushNav can accept incoming network connections. Click Allow. This lets other devices on your Wi-Fi (your phone for the mobile companion view, and telescope apps like SkySafari) connect to PushNav.

Linux¶

Install¶

Download the .AppImage file

Make it executable and run it:

chmod +x PushNav-linux-*.AppImage
./PushNav-linux-*.AppImage

The AppImage is self-contained. Everything PushNav needs is bundled inside.

Camera permission¶

If PushNav can't find your camera, you may need to add yourself to the video group (this is a one-time step):

sudo usermod -a -G video $USER

Log out and back in for the change to take effect.

Before you launch¶

Plug in your USB camera before starting PushNav. The app looks for the camera at startup and won't continue without one.

When PushNav starts, you'll see a brief loading screen, then the main window with a live camera feed on the left and a step-by-step panel on the right. The panel walks you through alignment. No prior experience needed.

Phone companion¶

PushNav has a built-in mobile view so you can check your push direction from your phone while you're at the eyepiece. No app to install, just scan a QR code.

Open the Settings section in PushNav's side panel
Point your phone's camera at the QR code shown there
Tap the link that pops up; a live view opens in your phone's browser

Your phone and laptop need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. That's it.

If your phone can't connect

You probably clicked "Deny" or "Cancel" on the firewall/network prompt when PushNav first launched. See the macOS or Windows sections above for how to fix it.

What's next¶

Now that PushNav is running, connect it to Stellarium so you can pick targets from a sky chart and have PushNav guide you to them. See Stellarium Setup.