> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.bcbi.brown.edu/codiac-for-health/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.bcbi.brown.edu/codiac-for-health/computing/r/installation.md).

# Installation

For most users, it is recommended to download the current stable release from [R Project](https://cloud.r-project.org/). 

Some developers might wish to use a different version, or to switch between versions. For this, the [rvenv package](https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/renv/vignettes/renv.html) can be useful.

R is also available for use in Brown's [Computing Environments](https://docs.bcbi.brown.edu/codiac-for-health/ursa-ri/computing-environments):

* Oscar (for high-performance computing)
* Stronghold (for secure computing)

## macOS <a href="#macos" id="macos"></a>

1. Download and install the latest version of [The R Project](https://cloud.r-project.org/) for Statistical computing for macOS.
2. For an integrated development environment (IDE) / graphical interface, you can also download and install [R Studio](https://rstudio.com/products/rstudio/download/#download).

## Windows <a href="#windows_not_inside_windows_subsystem_for_linux" id="windows_not_inside_windows_subsystem_for_linux"></a>

1. Download and install the latest version of [The R Project](https://cloud.r-project.org/) for Statistical computing for Windows.
2. For an integrated development environment (IDE) / graphical interface, you can also download and install [R Studio](https://rstudio.com/products/rstudio/download/#download).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.bcbi.brown.edu/codiac-for-health/computing/r/installation.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.