Getting Started

Install PSF Guard, then build an image catalog from FITS folders or open an existing N.I.N.A. Target Scheduler database. Both of these paths keep the image files in their current locations and do not require using the command line.

1. Install PSF Guard

Installing the desktop app is the most direct path on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The installation guide also covers Docker setups, standalone CLI binaries, Fedora RPMs, and building from source.

Open the installation guide →

2. Choose your setup

From FITS

Build a catalog from image folders

This path reads headers first and then processes pixel quality measurements in the background.

Catalog guide →

Existing DB

Open a Target Scheduler catalog

Add the database and your FITS folders in Settings to start reviewing your frames.

Scheduler setup →

CLI / NAS

Serve the grader or run batch tools

You can use this method for Docker containers, NAS devices, automated scripting, or command-line screening.

CLI guide →

Two DBs

Sync a telescope and grading copy

This setup pulls captured frames to your grading machine and pushes updated plans and grades back to the telescope.

Sync guide →

PSF Guard works like Lightroom Classic, but for astrophotography data. It catalogs files in their current locations. It uses the Target Scheduler database structure for its image map, plans, and grades, but does not require Target Scheduler.

3. Start a catalog

To start, open Settings → New Database from Images, select your FITS folders, and review the header-only import before creating the catalog. PSF Guard groups your images and creates plans without waiting for pixel analysis. For more details, see the guide on adding images and plans.

Or open a Target Scheduler database

Back up your Target Scheduler database before writing to it for the first time. Grading operations update the database file directly. You can use the import and sync previews to review changes before applying them.

Open Settings → Add Database.
Select the Target Scheduler SQLite file and add the folders that hold its FITS images. On Windows, the usual database path is %LOCALAPPDATA%\NINA\SchedulerPlugin\schedulerdb.sqlite.
Choose a project on Overview, then open Images or Sequence.

PSF Guard does not copy your FITS files. Your image folders can remain read-only, but the scheduler database file must be writable to save grades or planning changes.

4. Review the first project

Use the Overview page to check projects, targets, completion rates, and file status.
Open the Images page. You can filter by status or channel, move through frames using the arrow keys, and press Space to build a selection.
Accept or reject frames, or open the Sequence view to review a complete session.
Run the Scan Quality tool when you want to generate pixel-based evidence for clouds, obstructions, and pointing errors.
Once grading is complete, export the accepted light frames from the Overview page into a structured stacking directory or a ZIP archive.

You can continue by reading the guide on the grader user interface. Additional features like plate solving, satellite track detection, stack previews, exporting, importing, and database synchronization are described in optional sidebar guides.

Server, NAS, and CLI setups

CLI / NAS

Use the command line only when the setup needs it

While the desktop app handles the standard single-database workflow, the CLI provides options for server hosting, batch quality screening, data import, data export, and automation.

Install for a server →

Two-machine setups

Two DBs

Keep the telescope database and a grading copy

You can maintain the telescope's database and a separate grading copy. This setup pulls projects and captures to the grading machine, and pushes edited plans and reviewed grades back to the telescope.

Sync workflow →

You do not need to set up synchronization if the desktop app can open the telescope database directly. Synchronization is intended for exchanging state between two separate database files.

Current image handling

PSF Guard reads monochrome FITS files directly. It also debayers raw one-shot-color (OSC) FITS files that contain a recognized BAYERPAT header, using the extracted luminance channel for grading and quality measurements. The single-frame grader does not currently render OSC exposures in color.