From Installer to First Molecule: A Calm First-Launch Checklist for SAMSON

A molecular modeling session can lose momentum before the science even begins: the software is installed, but you are unsure whether your computer meets the requirements, where the application lives, or what to do after it opens. A little preparation makes that first launch easier to troubleshoot—and helps you get from setup to exploring a structure with fewer detours.

This checklist follows a practical order: verify the platform, install, launch using the route for your operating system, then decide what you want to do next. It is useful whether you are setting up SAMSON for the first time or helping a colleague get started.

Before installing: check the things that can block you

Start with the Requirements and platforms guide. Confirm operating-system support and hardware expectations; on Linux, also check the required dependencies. This small check can save time later, especially when a launch problem might be related to the system rather than the molecular model you intend to open.

Then follow Install SAMSON for the installer workflow, including the sign-in step and key entry. If installation or graphics setup behaves unexpectedly, consult Troubleshooting rather than repeatedly reinstalling without first identifying the issue.

Launch it the way your operating system expects

Windows: Look for SAMSON in the Start menu; searching for its name is often the quickest route. The documentation also lists the executable location as C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/11.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe. If you use the file path, treat it as the documented installation location, not a reason to assume every installation is arranged identically.

Mac: Open SAMSON from Launchpad or the Applications folder. The documented application location is $HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/, and the most recent installed version will be launched.

Linux: You can start SAMSON from the Apps dashboard, or open a terminal in the installation’s Binaries folder and run:

If you prefer a short terminal command, the documentation shows how to define an alias in ~/.bashrc or ~/.zprofile:

After saving the alias, open a new terminal and run samson. If you encounter an issue with an AMD/ATI graphics card on Linux, use the Linux-specific section of the Troubleshooting guide.

What happens after the first launch?

SAMSON has an open architecture, and its capabilities can be adapted through Extensions, including apps, editors, controllers, models, and parsers. The first time you start the application, it downloads a set of default Extensions from SAMSON Connect. You do not need to choose a complete collection before beginning: start with the defaults, then add what fits your work when you know what you need.

To customize later, sign in to your account, visit the Marketplace, and select Extensions for your workflow. For a deeper explanation of managing Extensions or exploring the SDK, see Extending SAMSON.

Choose one next step, not ten

Once the application opens, pick the next guide based on the problem you actually want to solve. New to the interface? Start with First look: the interface. Ready to inspect a structure? Go to Loading molecules. Looking for downloads, keys, or shared resources? Visit SAMSON Connect. If you would rather have a compact overview of navigation, documents, visualizations, simulations, and help routes, open the Quick Start Guide.

The current public version listed in the documentation is 2026 R1. For version-number details, see Versioning.

For the complete setup instructions and platform-specific details, read the SAMSON Getting Started guide.

Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.