> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.useargus.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How ARGUS works

> Understand the camera → detection → alert → review loop.

ARGUS runs a simple loop, around the clock, on the cameras you already have.
Here's what happens from the moment a customer walks in to the moment an alert
reaches your phone.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Your cameras stream to ARGUS">
    A small ARGUS app runs on an always-on computer in your store that can see
    your cameras. It sends the live video to ARGUS for analysis. It reaches us on
    its own — no firewall changes or port forwarding required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="ARGUS watches and scores activity">
    ARGUS analyzes the live video and scores activity for how risky it looks.
    Most of what happens in a store is normal and never needs your attention.
    Separately, activity outside your normal operating hours may get extra
    attention.
  </Step>

  <Step title="A confident detection becomes an incident">
    When ARGUS is confident that something is a real incident, it creates an
    incident and immediately alerts your recipients by **SMS** and **email**.
    Routine activity doesn't generate alerts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="You review and act">
    Open the incident from your dashboard to see what happened. Confirm it if
    it's a real threat, or mark it a false positive. Every change is logged, and
    your feedback helps you keep an accurate record of what's happening in your
    store.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## A few things worth knowing

* **ARGUS uses the cameras you already have.** There's no new hardware to buy —
  the ARGUS app connects to your existing cameras over your store's network.
* **ARGUS isn't a video recorder.** It's not a replacement for your DVR or NVR.
  Your existing camera system keeps your recordings; ARGUS analyzes the live
  video to spot incidents. Video is encrypted and used only to provide your
  loss-prevention features.
* **You stay in control.** You decide who gets alerted and you make the final
  call on every incident — ARGUS surfaces what matters, you confirm or dismiss
  it.

Ready to set things up? Head to the [Quick Start](/get-started/quickstart).