# Installing and setting up The *hctsa* package can be used *completely within Matlab*, allowing users to analyse time-series datasets quickly and easily. Here we will focus on this Matlab-based use of the software, but note that, for larger datasets requiring distributed computing set-ups, or datasets that may grow with time, *hctsa* can also be linked to a *mySQL* database, as described in [a dedicated chapter](/hctsa-manual/installing-and-using-hctsa/overview_mysql_database.md). ## Installing the *hctsa* package The simplest way to get the *hctsa* package up and running is to run the `install` script, which adds the required paths to dependent time-series packages (toolboxes), and compiles *mex* binaries to work on your system architecture. Once this one-off installation step is complete, you're ready to go! (NB: to include additional functions from the TISEAN nonlinear time-series analysis package, you'll also need to [compile TISEAN routines](/hctsa-manual/installing-and-using-hctsa/setup/compiling_binaries.md)). After installation, future use of the package can begin by opening Matlab, navigating to the *hctsa* package, and then loading the paths required by the *hctsa* package by running the `startup` script. --- # 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://time-series-features.gitbook.io/hctsa-manual/installing-and-using-hctsa/setup.md?ask= ``` 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.