Install and Run OpenPronghorn

1. Install Conda

OpenPronghorn needs a compiler and several supporting libraries. The simplest way to get them is through Conda, which keeps them together in an isolated software environment.

First, check whether Conda is already installed:

conda --version

If that command prints a version number, continue to the next section. If it reports that conda was not found, follow the [MOOSE Miniforge installation instructions](https://mooseframework.inl.gov/getting_started/installation/install_miniconda.html), then open a new terminal.

If you already had Conda installed, add the package channels used by MOOSE:

conda config --add channels conda-forge
conda config --add channels https://conda.software.inl.gov/public

2. Prepare the OpenPronghorn environment

Create an environment named moose. This downloads the compiler and libraries needed by OpenPronghorn and may take a few minutes:

conda create -y --name moose moose-dev=2026.08.23=mpich

Then activate the environment:

conda activate moose

Your terminal prompt will usually begin with (moose) after activation. Run conda activate moose again whenever you open a new terminal or a new tab to use OpenPronghorn.

3. Download OpenPronghorn

These commands create a projects folder in your home directory, download OpenPronghorn, and download the matching MOOSE source code:

mkdir -p ~/projects
cd ~/projects
git clone https://github.com/idaholab/open_pronghorn.git
cd open_pronghorn
git submodule update --init

The last command is important. If it is interrupted, run it again from the open_pronghorn directory.

4. Build OpenPronghorn

Turn the downloaded source code into the OpenPronghorn program:

cd ~/projects/open_pronghorn
make -j 6

The build can take a while. The 6 tells the computer to perform up to six compile tasks at once. On a computer with limited memory, use make -j 1 or 2 instead. When the build finishes, the program open_pronghorn-opt will be in the open_pronghorn directory.

5. Check the installation

Run the automated tests to make sure the installation works:

./run_tests -j 6

A successful installation ends with no failed tests. It is normal for some tests to be skipped when optional software is unavailable.

6. Run a first example

From the open_pronghorn directory, run the included diffusion example:

./open_pronghorn-opt -i test/tests/kernels/simple_diffusion/simple_diffusion.i

Here, -i tells OpenPronghorn which input file to use. The run creates simple_diffusion_out.e, an Exodus results file that can be opened in a compatible visualization program such as ParaView.

Other OpenPronghorn simulations use the same pattern:

./open_pronghorn-opt -i path/to/your_input_file.i

For everyday use, the only setup normally needed in a new terminal is:

conda activate moose
cd ~/projects/open_pronghorn

Updating later

To get the latest OpenPronghorn changes, update the source and its matching MOOSE version:

conda activate moose
cd ~/projects/open_pronghorn
git pull
git submodule update --init

If the update requires a different software environment, update it with:

conda install moose-dev=2026.08.23=mpich

Then rebuild and check the installation:

make -j 6
./run_tests -j 6

If something goes wrong

• conda is not found: Close and reopen the terminal after installing Miniforge. If it is still unavailable, return to the linked Miniforge guide and complete the conda init step.

• moose/framework/Makefile is missing: From the open_pronghorn directory, run git submodule update --init again.

• The build stops with a package version message: Run the conda install command shown in that message, then restart the build.

• The build is killed or the computer becomes unresponsive: Use fewer tasks, for example make -j 2.

• Tests fail: Search the [OpenPronghorn issue tracker](https://github.com/idaholab/open_pronghorn/issues) or ask for help in OpenPronghorn Discussions. Include the failed test names and error messages when asking for help.

Advanced installations, including high-performance computing systems and manual compiler setups, are covered by the [MOOSE installation guide](https://mooseframework.inl.gov/getting_started/installation/index.html).