# Setup command station  {#setup-command-station}

For operating the layout Traintastic needs to know how to communicate with the command station.
To setup the command station select in the main menu: *Objects* -> *Hardware* -> *Commands stations*, a dialog appears which lists all command stations.
For adding a command station Traintastic muse be in edit mode.
To add a command station click the plus sign, a menu will appear with different types of command station interfaces.
Details about how to setup a specific command station can be found in the [supported hardware](../supportedhardware.md) section.
For testing the software without a command station, a virtual commands station is available.
