Getting HTCondor

These instructions show how to create a complete HTCondor installation with all of its components on a single computer, so that you can test HTCondor and explore its features. We recommend that new users start with the first set of instructions here and then continue with the HTCondor Quick Start Guide; that link will appear again at the end of these instructions.

If you know how to use Docker, you may find it easier to start with the htcondor/mini image; see the Docker Images entry. If you’re familiar with cloud computing, you may also get HTCondor in the cloud.

Installing HTCondor on a Cluster

Experienced users who want to make an HTCondor pool out of multiple machines should follow the Administrative Quick Start Guide. If you’re new to HTCondor administration, you may want to read the Administrators’ Manual.

Installing HTCondor on a Single Machine with Administrative Privileges

If you have administrative privileges on your machine, choose the instructions corresponding to your operating system:

  • Windows.

  • Linux. HTCondor supports Enterprise Linux 7 including RedHat and CentOS; Enterprise Linux 8 including RedHat and Rocky Linux; Amazon Linux 2; Debian 9, 10, and 11; and Ubuntu 18.04 and 20.04.

  • macOS. HTCondor supports macOS 10.15 and later.

Hand-Installation of HTCondor on a Single Machine with User Privileges

If you don’t have administrative privileges on your machine, you can still install HTCondor. An unprivileged installation isn’t able to effectively limit the resource usage of the jobs it runs, but since it only works for the user who installed it, at least you know who to blame for misbehaving jobs.

  • Linux. HTCondor supports Enterprise Linux 7 including RedHat and CentOS; Enterprise Linux 8 including RedHat and Rocky Linux; Amazon Linux 2; Debian 9, 10, and 11; and Ubuntu 18.04 and 20.04.

  • macOS. HTCondor supports macOS 10.15 and later.

Docker Images

HTCondor is also available on Docker Hub.

If you’re new to HTCondor, the htcondor/mini image is equivalent to following any of the instructions above, and once you’ve started the container, you can proceed directly to the HTCondor Quick Start Guide and learn how to run jobs.

For other options, see our docker image list.

Kubernetes

You can deploy a complete HTCondor pool with the following command:

kubectl apply -f https://github.com/htcondor/htcondor/blob/latest/build/docker/k8s/pool.yaml

If you’re new to HTCondor, you can proceed directly to the HTCondor Quick Start Guide after logging in to the submit pod.

In the Cloud

Although you can use our Docker images (or Kubernetes support) in the cloud, HTCondor also supports cloud-native distribution.