Setting up Pinstall

Pinstall runs entirely on your own Synology NAS — nothing lives on anyone else's cloud, and there's nothing to install beyond your NAS and a web browser. This guide walks you through getting it running, start to finish, with no outside help needed.

Time needed: about 15 minutes.

What you need before you start

• A Synology NAS with an Intel/AMD processor, running DSM 7.2 or newer. Most "plus" and "value" series models from the last several years qualify — for example the DS220+, DS920+, and DS1522+ families. NAS models with an ARM processor (many "j" series models) are not supported. CheckControl Panel → Info Center in DSM if you're not sure what your NAS has.
• At least 2 GB of free storage space, plus room to grow — project photos, plans, and voice notes all live on the NAS too.
• An internet connection on the NAS during install and updates. Day-to-day use afterward doesn't need internet at all.
• Connected to your office network, with an admin login for DSM.
• The Pinstall install file (a .spk file).
• Your license key — emailed to you after purchase.

You do not need any technical/IT background. If you can install an app from Package Center, you can do this.

Step 1 — Install the package

1. Log in to your NAS's DSM (the Synology web dashboard).
2. Open Package Center.
3. Click the gear icon (top right) → Manual Install.
4. Choose the .spk file you downloaded, then click through the install wizard.
5. DSM will warn that this package is from an "unknown publisher" or is unsigned. This is expected — click Install Anyway. Pinstall isn't in Synology's public app store yet, so this warning always appears.
6. Wait for the install to finish — Pinstall starts itself automatically.

Step 2 — Open Pinstall for the first time

1. In Package Center, find Pinstall in your installed packages list and click Open. (Or open a browser and go to http://<your-NAS's-IP-address>:8092.)
2. The first screen asks you to create your company and your admin account. Fill this in — this becomes the login your team will use going forward.

Step 3 — Activate your license

1. Once logged in, go to Settings → Company.
2. Find the License section and paste in the license key you were emailed.
3. Click Apply. Your company name, seat count, and renewal date confirm immediately.

Until this step, Pinstall runs unrestricted for a 14-day trial so you can look around — activate your license before that trial ends.

Step 4 — Add your team

1. Go to Crew (or Users) and send invites to the rest of your team.
2. Give everyone the same web address from Step 2 — that's how they'll all reach Pinstall, from any computer or iPad on your office network.
3. Installers taking an iPad to a jobsite: open that same address in Safari.

Want your team to reach Pinstall from outside the shop?

By default Pinstall is only reachable on your office network. Go toSettings → Remote Access inside Pinstall — it walks you through your options and the trade-offs of each.

Troubleshooting

"Unidentified developer" / "unsigned package" warning during install.
Expected — see Step 1. Click through it.

Can't reach the Pinstall web address from another computer or iPad.
Make sure that device is on the same office network as the NAS. Pinstall won't be reachable from outside your office unless you've set up remote access.

Install fails partway through.
Pinstall checks for common issues before installing and tells you which one is the problem — follow what the message says and try again.

License won't apply / says invalid.
Double check you copied the entire key with no extra spaces or line breaks. If it still won't apply, submit a ticket and include your company name.

Something else isn't working?
Submit a ticket and include what you were trying to do and any message you saw on screen.