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

# Install the plugin

> Install the Bark plugin from the BTCPay Server Plugin Directory, set up a Bark wallet for your store, and start accepting Lightning and Ark payments.

## Before you start

You need:

* A self-hosted [BTCPay Server](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/Deployment/) on version 2.4.4 or later, running on Linux x86-64. Installing plugins requires server admin access, so accounts on [third-party hosts](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/Deployment/ThirdPartyHosting/) won't work.
* A [store](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/CreateStore/) on that server.

<Note>
  You don't need to set up a Lightning node. If your store has no Lightning node connected, the Bark plugin takes over your store's Lightning functionality. If it already has one, the plugin leaves it in place. See [Lightning settings](/docs/btcpay/settings#lightning-settings).
</Note>

## Install the plugin from the Plugin Directory

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Plugin Directory">
    Sign in to BTCPay Server as a server admin. At the top right of the interface, select the plugins icon to open its dropdown menu, then select **Plugin Directory**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Bark">
    Search the directory for **Bark**, then select it in the results. A panel opens with the plugin's details.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/second-0659a37d/oyMVF3OPOvsi31EU/images/btcpay/plugin-directory-bark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=oyMVF3OPOvsi31EU&q=85&s=bb4a20aae44b944d148ce932bee5c6cd" alt="Screenshot of the Plugin Directory page with the Bark plugin selected, its details panel open, and the Install in BTCPay Server button" width="1920" height="1000" data-path="images/btcpay/plugin-directory-bark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Install in BTCPay Server">
    Confirm with **Install** in the dialog that opens. BTCPay Server schedules the install.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Restart now">
    BTCPay Server loads the plugin during startup.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Accordion title="Install from the plugin file instead">
  If your server can't reach the directory, install the plugin from its file.

  <Steps>
    <Step title="Download the plugin file">
      Download `BTCPayServer.Plugins.Bark.btcpay` from the plugin's [page](https://plugin-builder.btcpayserver.org/public/plugins/bark) on the BTCPay Plugin Builder website.
    </Step>

    <Step title="Open Installed Plugins">
      Open the plugins menu at the top right of the interface, then select **Installed Plugins**.
    </Step>

    <Step title="Select Upload Plugin">
      The button sits at the bottom of the page.
    </Step>

    <Step title="Upload the file">
      Browse to the file, then select **Upload**.
    </Step>

    <Step title="Select Restart now" />
  </Steps>
</Accordion>

## Set up a Bark wallet for your store

After the restart, your store's sidebar gains a **Bark** entry under Wallets. Opening it for the first time takes you to the **Set up Bark** screen.

<Frame caption="The Set up Bark screen, with the payments toggle, the wallet choice, and the pre-filled Ark Server and Chain Source fields">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/second-0659a37d/oyMVF3OPOvsi31EU/images/btcpay/setup-bark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=oyMVF3OPOvsi31EU&q=85&s=47dd0fd4557cdc274e05304f87b5a9ee" alt="Screenshot of the Set up Bark screen, with the plugin toggled on, Create new wallet selected, and the Ark Server and Chain Source fields set to the default values" width="1920" height="1000" data-path="images/btcpay/setup-bark.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Bark in your store's sidebar" />

  <Step title="Keep the Accept Lightning & Ark payments toggle on">
    You can change this later in the plugin's [settings](/docs/btcpay/settings).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keep Create new wallet selected">
    To bring back a wallet you already have instead, select **Import existing wallet** and enter its 12 words in the **Seed phrase** field, in order. You can paste the whole phrase into any field. [Restoring from the phrase](/docs/btcpay/backups#restore-a-wallet-from-its-recovery-phrase) relies on the Ark server, and brings back the balance without the payment history.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the Ark Server and Chain Source">
    Both fields come pre-filled for mainnet: `https://ark.second.tech`, the Ark server that manages your VTXOs, and `https://mempool.second.tech/api`, the chain source that verifies on-chain activity. See [Ark server and chain source](/docs/btcpay/settings#ark-server-and-chain-source) for the available options.

    <Note>
      The Ark server and chain source you confirm here can't be changed later.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Confirm & Enable">
    The button reads **Restore & Enable** when you import a wallet. The plugin checks that both endpoints serve the right network, asks you to confirm any custom address, creates or restores the wallet, and opens the wallet page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The plugin creates and manages your store's wallet keys on the server. See [Back up your wallet](/docs/btcpay/backups) to keep them recoverable.
</Note>

## Check that Bark drives Lightning

Completing setup enables two new payment methods on your store's checkout, Ark and Lightning:

* You should see status lights turn green for Lightning and Bark in the sidebar.
* The Lightning page shows **Custom Node** with `bark` as the node.
* Checkout now shows a QR code and payment link that combines on-chain, Ark, and Lightning payment methods.

After installing the plugin, the first thing to do is [back up your wallet](/docs/btcpay/backups).


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