Installing PowBot on BlueStacks 5

This guide will walk you through setting up BlueStacks 5 and installing PowBot using the new PowBot Installer.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

• Java 11 or higher installed (see Installation Guide for Java setup)
• Downloaded the PowBot Installer (powbot-install.jar) from the download page
• A stable internet connection

Step 1: Download and Install BlueStacks 5

1. Download BlueStacks 5 from the official website
   • Important: Download BlueStacks 5, not BlueStacks 4 or BlueStacks X
2. Run the installer and follow the installation wizard
3. Launch BlueStacks 5 after installation

Step 2: Create a New BlueStacks Instance

BlueStacks allows you to create multiple instances for running multiple bots simultaneously.

Open Multi-Instance Manager

Start by opening the BlueStacks Multi-Instance Manager:

Create Fresh Instance

1. Click the Instance button at the bottom left
2. Select Fresh Instance (always use fresh instance for clean setup)

Configure Instance Settings

1. Select Android 11 as the Android version

1. Configure the following recommended settings:
   • CPU Cores: 2 (minimum)
   • Memory allocation: 2GB (minimum)
   • Resolution: 960x540 (recommended for performance)
   • ABI Settings: ARM

Step 3: Enable Developer Options and ADB

Start the Instance

Click the Start button to launch your new instance:

Enable ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

1. Once loaded, click the hamburger menu (☰) in the top right
2. Select Settings

1. Navigate to the Advanced tab
2. Enable Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
3. Important: Note down the ADB address shown (e.g., 127.0.0.1:5565)
4. Click Save changes

Step 4: Run PowBot Installer

Now that BlueStacks is configured, run the PowBot Installer:

1. Open a terminal or command prompt
2. Navigate to where you downloaded the installer
3. Run the installer:

java -jar powbot-install.jar

Initial Setup Screen

1. Click "Start Setup" when the installer opens

Android SDK Setup

1. Wait for the Android SDK setup to complete (this happens automatically)
2. Accept the Android SDK license when prompted

Step 5: Select BlueStacks Instance

After the SDK setup:

1. The installer will automatically detect your BlueStacks instance
2. You should see your BlueStacks instance in the device list
   • It will show as connected with the address you noted earlier (e.g., 127.0.0.1:5565)
3. Select your BlueStacks instance from the list

Step 6: Choose PowBot Version and Install

1. Select the PowBot version:
   • Release: Stable version recommended for most users
   • Beta: Latest features but may have bugs

1. Click the Install button

1. The installer will:
   • Extract APK files
   • Build PowBot for your BlueStacks instance
   • Install the application
   • Configure necessary permissions

Step 7: Launch PowBot

Once installation is complete:

1. You can either:

   • Click "Launch PowBot" in the installer
   • Or open PowBot from the BlueStacks home screen

2. The game will open, followed by the PowBot login screen

Troubleshooting

BlueStacks Instance Not Detected

If your BlueStacks instance doesn't appear in the installer:

1. Ensure ADB is enabled in BlueStacks settings
2. Verify BlueStacks is running
3. Try manually connecting via ADB:

# Navigate to PowBot's ADB tools (created after first installer run)
cd ~/.powbot/android/platform-tools/

# Connect to BlueStacks (use your noted address)
./adb connect 127.0.0.1:5565

Performance Issues

If you experience lag or crashes:

1. Increase allocated resources in BlueStacks settings:
   • CPU Cores: 4 or more
   • Memory: 4GB or more
2. Close unnecessary applications
3. Ensure virtualization is enabled in your BIOS

Multiple Instances

To run multiple bots:

1. Create additional fresh instances in BlueStacks Multi-Instance Manager
2. Configure each with unique ADB ports
3. Run the PowBot Installer for each instance separately
4. Select "Install Another" after each successful installation

Tips for Optimal Performance

1. Use Fresh Instances: Always create fresh instances for new bots to avoid conflicts
2. Resource Allocation: Allocate at least 2GB RAM and 2 CPU cores per instance
3. Graphics Settings: Use lowest graphics settings in BlueStacks for better performance
4. Regular Restarts: Restart BlueStacks instances periodically to prevent memory leaks
5. Disable Unnecessary Features: Turn off BlueStacks notifications and extra features

Need Help?

If you encounter issues:

1. Check the main Installation Guide for general troubleshooting
2. Join our Discord server: discord.gg/powbot
3. Post in the #help channel with:
   • Your BlueStacks version
   • Screenshot of any error messages
   • Your system specifications