> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getgranite.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Driver Overview

> Understanding Granite's Windows automation driver

## What is the Driver?

The Granite driver is software that runs on Windows machines to execute automations. It:

* Connects to Granite's backend via WebSocket
* Receives job assignments
* Executes desktop automation
* Streams video back to your browser
* Reports results

```mermaid theme={null}
graph LR
    A[Granite Backend] <-->|WebSocket| B[Driver]
    B --> C[Windows Desktop]
    B -->|Video Stream| D[Your Browser]
```

## Driver Capabilities

| Capability          | Description             |
| ------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **UI Automation**   | Click, type, navigate   |
| **Screen Capture**  | Screenshots and video   |
| **Video Streaming** | Real-time WebRTC        |
| **Job Queue**       | Accept and process jobs |
| **Heartbeat**       | Connection monitoring   |

## Driver Types

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Cloud (GCP)" icon="cloud">
    Managed VMs in Google Cloud

    * Auto-provisioned
    * Auto-scaling
    * Pay-per-use
    * Zero maintenance
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local (Self-Hosted)" icon="server">
    Your own Windows machines

    * Full control
    * Your infrastructure
    * Free (your hardware)
    * You manage maintenance
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Requirements

To run the Granite driver:

| Requirement | Specification                     |
| ----------- | --------------------------------- |
| **OS**      | Windows 10/11 (Pro or Enterprise) |
| **Python**  | 3.12 (not 3.13+)                  |
| **RAM**     | 4GB minimum                       |
| **Network** | HTTPS access to api.getgranite.ai |
| **Admin**   | Administrator privileges          |

<Warning>
  Python 3.13+ is not supported due to pywin32 compatibility issues. Use Python 3.12.
</Warning>

## Architecture

```mermaid theme={null}
sequenceDiagram
    participant G as Granite Backend
    participant D as Driver
    participant W as Windows Desktop

    D->>G: Connect (WebSocket)
    G->>G: Register machine
    G->>D: Job assignment
    D->>W: Execute automation
    D->>G: Stream video
    D->>G: Report status
    G->>D: HITL commands
    D->>G: Job complete
```

## Driver States

| State       | Description                   |
| ----------- | ----------------------------- |
| **Offline** | Not connected                 |
| **Online**  | Connected, waiting for jobs   |
| **Busy**    | Currently executing a job     |
| **Error**   | Connection or execution issue |

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/driver/installation">
    Set up the driver
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enrollment" icon="user-plus" href="/driver/enrollment">
    Register your machine
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/driver/troubleshooting">
    Fix common issues
  </Card>
</CardGroup>