docs: clarify dependencies

README.md

@@ -34,9 +34,20 @@ analysis and visualization capabilities without requiring a steep learning curve
   as well as the E3SM land model ELM's input and output files
   on `ne*np4` and `ne*pg2` grids.
 
-## Getting Started 
+## Installation
 
-See our [documentation page](https://kitware.github.io/QuickView/guides/quickview/getting_started.html).
+QuickView supports local installation through desktop bundles or conda, as well as
+remote usage. See the [system requirements](https://kitware.github.io/QuickView/guides/system_requirements.html)
+and [installation instructions](https://kitware.github.io/QuickView/guides/install_and_launch.html).
+
+## Runtime dependencies
+
+QuickView's runtime dependencies are listed under `requirements.run` in the
+[conda-forge feedstock recipe](https://github.com/conda-forge/e3sm-quickview-feedstock/blob/main/recipe/recipe.yaml#L28).
+
+## User's Guide
+
+See [documentation page](https://kitware.github.io/QuickView/guides/quickview/getting_started.html).
 
 ## Project Background
 

docs/.vitepress/config.mjs

@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
             { text: "Connecitiviy Files", link: "/guides/connectivity" },
             { text: "Simulation Files", link: "/guides/simulation_data" },
             { text: "Install and Launch", link: "/guides/install_and_launch" },
+            { text: "System Requirements", link: "/guides/system_requirements" },
           ],
         },
         {

docs/guides/install_and_launch.md

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # Install and launch
 
-All tools of the **QuickView** family are available as
+(See [System Requirements](/guides/system_requirements.md) for the prerequisites
+for local installation and remote usage.)
+
+Tools of the QuickView family are available as
 **Conda** and **PyPI** packages as well as **pre-compiled desktop bundles**
 for various OS's including Mac, Windows, and Linux.
 The table below summarizes where the different packages
@@ -56,9 +59,8 @@ For example, to create a conda environment named `quickview-env`
 then install QuickView and QuickCompare, we can use the following commands:
 
 ```sh
-conda create --name quickview-env python=3.13
+conda create --name quickview-env -c conda-forge python=3.13 typing_extensions
 conda activate quickview-env
-pip install typing_extensions
 conda install conda-forge::e3sm-quickview
 conda install conda-forge::e3sm_compareview
 ```

docs/guides/system_requirements.md

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# System Requirements
+
+This page describes the prerequisites for **local installation** and **remote usage**
+of tools in the QuickView family. See [Install and Launch](/guides/install_and_launch.md)
+for available packages, desktop bundles, and installation instructions.
+
+## Local installation using a desktop bundle
+
+Requirements:
+
+- A desktop bundle for the selected tool matching the operating system and processor architecture.
+- Sufficient disk space and permission to install and run the application.
+- Access to [simulation files](/guides/simulation_data.md) and [connectivity files](/guides/connectivity.md).
+
+The bundle includes the application's runtime dependencies (e.g., Python, ParaView, VTK).
+No separate installation of these dependencies or a package manager is required.
+
+On macOS, unsigned bundles require the
+[quarantine-removal step](/guides/install_and_launch.md#desktop-bundles).
+On Linux, additional system libraries may be required, depending on the distribution.
+
+## Local installation using conda
+
+Requirements:
+
+- A working conda installation, such as Miniconda or Anaconda.
+- Internet access to download packages.
+- Sufficient disk space and write permission for the conda environment and package cache.
+- A web browser.
+- Access to [simulation files](/guides/simulation_data.md) and [connectivity files](/guides/connectivity.md).
+
+Conda installs Python and the selected tool's declared dependencies.
+
+## Remote usage
+
+The local computer requires:
+
+- A web browser.
+- Network access to the remote system.
+- For connections through an SSH tunnel, an SSH client that supports port forwarding.
+
+The remote system requires a working installation of the selected tool and access to
+[simulation files](/guides/simulation_data.md) and [connectivity files](/guides/connectivity.md).
+An account and permission to run the application on an appropriate node are also required.
+For system-specific instructions, see, for example, the
+[NERSC launching guide](/hpcsystems/nersc/launching.md) and the
+[Chrysalis guide](/hpcsystems/chrysalis/chrysalis.md).
+
+No local installation of the selected tool or its runtime dependencies
+(e.g., Python, ParaView, VTK) is required.