# Getting Started with PDFHub

**PDFHub** is a free, privacy-first web application providing 33 specialized tools for working with PDF documents entirely in your web browser.

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## 1. Accessing PDFHub

PDFHub can be accessed on any modern browser on desktop, tablet, or smartphone:
- **Primary Canonical Website:** [https://pdfshub.netlify.app/](https://pdfshub.netlify.app/)
- **Alternative Deployment:** [https://pdfshub.smartstores.in/](https://pdfshub.smartstores.in/)

No account creation, sign-up, or installation is strictly required to begin processing files immediately.

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## 2. Installing PDFHub as a Progressive Web App (PWA)

PDFHub is engineered as a fully compliant Progressive Web App (PWA). Installing it provides:
- **Dedicated Application Window:** Launches without browser address bars or navigation clutter.
- **Offline Reliability:** Core app shell, icons, and client tools are cached by the Service Worker (`sw.js`).
- **Instant Desktop & Home Screen Access:** Creates app launcher shortcuts on your device.

### Platform Installation Instructions
- **Google Chrome / Microsoft Edge (Desktop):** Look for the **Install App** icon in the address bar (or menu → *Install PDFHub*).
- **Apple iOS (Safari):** Tap the **Share** button at the bottom of the screen, scroll down, and select **Add to Home Screen**.
- **Android (Chrome):** Tap the three-dot menu and select **Install app** or **Add to Home screen**.
- **macOS / Linux:** Install via Chrome, Edge, or Brave into your Applications launcher.
- **Dedicated Install Page:** Visit [/install/](https://pdfshub.netlify.app/install/) for step-by-step visual platform instructions.

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## 3. Finding and Using Tools

PDFHub provides multiple ways to locate the utility you need:
1. **Interactive Search Bar:** Type terms like "merge", "compress", "sign", "word", or "ocr" into the homepage search bar.
2. **Category Tabs:** Filter tools by **Organize**, **Optimize**, **To PDF**, **From PDF**, **Edit**, **Security**, and **AI**.
3. **Control Center Menu:** Click the menu toggle (top-right of navigation) to access favorites, history, user guides, and legal centers.
4. **Tool History & Favorites:** PDFHub automatically keeps track of recently used tools and allows you to star your favorite utilities in local browser storage.

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## 4. The Standard Workflow

Every tool on PDFHub follows an intuitive, consistent 4-step workflow:
1. **Upload or Drop Files:** Click the central upload zone or drag and drop files from your desktop.
2. **Configure Settings:** Choose your parameters (e.g. compression level, page range, password, rotation angle).
3. **Process Document:** Click the primary action button (e.g. *Merge PDFs*, *Compress PDF*, *Protect PDF*). Progress indicators keep you informed.
4. **Review & Download:** Verify the output file size and page count in the result review modal and click **Download** to save.

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## 5. Visual Step-by-Step Tutorials

If you want visual walkthroughs before using a tool:
- Visit the **[User Guides Hub](https://pdfshub.netlify.app/guides/)** to explore illustrated tutorials with annotated screenshots for all 33 tools.
- Every tool page also contains a direct link to its corresponding visual guide at the bottom of the interface.