Installing molecular modeling software is only half the job. The other half is figuring out what to do when the application opens: Where is it installed? How do you launch it again? Is it still downloading components, or do you need to configure something? A little preparation can make that first session much less confusing.
This guide turns the SAMSON setup process into a practical sequence: check your computer, install the platform, launch it using the right method for your operating system, and understand what happens with extensions.
Before installing: check the basics
Start with the Requirements and platforms page. It covers supported operating systems, hardware expectations, and Linux dependencies. Checking these before downloading can help you distinguish an installation problem from a system or graphics setup issue.
Then follow Install SAMSON for the installer steps, including sign-in and key entry. If installation or graphics setup does not work as expected, use the dedicated Troubleshooting guide rather than guessing at fixes.
Launch it the way your system expects
Once installed, use the launch route that matches your operating system:
- Windows: Open SAMSON from the Start menu, or search for “SAMSON.” The executable is listed in
C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/11.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe. - Mac: Open SAMSON from Launchpad or the Applications folder. The documented installation location is
$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/. - Linux: Open it from the Apps dashboard, or run
./SAMSON-Core.shfrom the installation folder, documented as~/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/11.0.0/Binaries.
On Linux, you can optionally create a terminal alias in ~/.bashrc or ~/.zprofile:
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alias samson='$HOME/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/11.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.sh' |
After saving the alias, open a new terminal and run samson. If you encounter an issue with an AMD/ATI graphics card on Linux, consult the Linux AMD troubleshooting guidance.
What happens on the first launch?
SAMSON has an open architecture that can be adapted with extensions, including apps, editors, controllers, models, and parsers. The first time you start the platform, it downloads a set of default SAMSON Extensions from SAMSON Connect. This is part of the initial setup—not a sign that you need to manually find every component before you can begin.
Later, you can customize your installation: sign in, visit the Marketplace, and choose the extensions relevant to your work. If you want to manage extensions in more detail or explore the SDK route, see Extending SAMSON.
Choose one next step—not every next step
After the first launch, pick the guide that matches your immediate goal. For interface orientation, open First look: the interface. To open a structure, go to Loading molecules. For accounts, keys, downloads, and shared resources, see SAMSON Connect. The Quick Start Guide offers a compact overview of navigation, documents, visualizations, simulations, and help routes.
The current public version listed in the documentation is SAMSON 2026 R1. For the full setup path and operating-system-specific details, learn more in the Getting Started documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.