# Add The Clerk to Godspeed Mission Control

Canonical: https://godspeedmissioncontrol.com/guide/clerk

The Clerk 0.5.1 is a beta add-on. It installs Paperless-ngx, the program that reads and keeps your scans, beside Godspeed Mission Control. No Google account is needed.

It uses your existing AI connection. The software is free; your AI plan or API bill and server hosting are paid separately.

## Install it on your server

You need Godspeed Mission Control **2.0.0-beta.6 or newer**, with [first setup](/guide/first-setup) finished and your AI connected. Both the [one-line server](/guide/install-server) and Godspeed installed directly on Linux work.

Paperless needs Docker with Compose, 1.5 GB of memory free, 8 GB of disk free and the web address Godspeed gave your server.

1. Open your server's terminal as root, where you ran Godspeed's install line. Run:

   ```bash
   curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MichaelZelbel/godspeed-clerk/main/install.sh | bash
   ```

2. Accept **Install Paperless now?** and choose your login name.
3. Save the printed address, password, authenticator setup key and recovery codes in your password manager.
4. Start The Clerk:

   ```bash
   godspeed-clerk resume
   ```

## Scan your first letter

Run this for the iPhone app, your address and sign-in details:

```bash
godspeed-clerk phone
```

Scan a letter in Swift Paperless. The Clerk names and sorts it in Paperless, adds its text to your notebook and records requested deadlines. Papers it is unsure about get **Check this** in Paperless. Check progress:

```bash
godspeed-clerk status
```

Without Drive, papers stay in Paperless on your server. The Clerk makes no off-server restore copy. Automatic Paperless updates wait for a fresh restore copy. Monitoring, restarts and the secure address continue.

## Add Google Drive copies later (optional)

Connect Drive when you want copies in your existing folders. For Paperless it installed, The Clerk also makes nightly restore copies there. Any paid Drive storage is separate.

1. Make [your own Google app](https://github.com/MichaelZelbel/godspeed-clerk/blob/main/docs/google-drive.md). Put its downloaded JSON on the server as `client.json`, then run:

   ```bash
   godspeed-clerk drive connect --client-file client.json
   ```

2. Sign in through the link it prints and allow access. When the browser cannot open the final address, copy that whole address:

   ```bash
   godspeed-clerk drive finish "<the whole address from your browser>"
   ```

3. Replace `Paperwork` with your documents folder's name or link:

   ```bash
   godspeed-clerk drive folder "Paperwork"
   ```

4. Read the proposed folder plan:

   ```bash
   godspeed-clerk plan propose
   ```

5. If it matches how you keep your papers, confirm it:

   ```bash
   godspeed-clerk plan confirm
   ```

An active Clerk files existing papers on its next run. If paused, run `godspeed-clerk resume`.

To stop Drive copies, run `godspeed-clerk drive disconnect`. Sorting, notebook notes and deadlines continue; new Drive copies and new off-server restore copies stop.

With Drive connected and the plan confirmed, papers it cannot place wait on Paperless's **To sort** page. Pick their storage path there; Drive follows.

Google asks for your whole Drive. The Clerk limits its writes to your documents folder and its own restore-copy folder.

## Update or connect an existing Paperless

Run the install line again to update. Your settings and connections stay.

Already run Paperless? Follow the [existing Paperless connection](https://github.com/MichaelZelbel/godspeed-clerk#add-it); The Clerk leaves its maintenance to you.

## Before connecting your phone

Allow port **48444** through your hosting provider's firewall if it has one. The phone instructions cover iPhone; no Android app is named.