# Introduction

This section explains the Portainer architecture and how to install it. We recommend that you read the entire section to ensure your installation goes smoothly.

Learn about the [architecture](https://docs.portainer.io/start/architecture) first, get familiar with the [prerequisites to installation](https://docs.portainer.io/start/requirements-and-prerequisites), then finally, step through how to [install the product](https://docs.portainer.io/start/install) in your environment.

{% content-ref url="architecture" %}
[architecture](https://docs.portainer.io/start/architecture)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.portainer.io/start/intro.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.