Team overview
These numbers come from Folding@home’s daily team summary file and update about once per day. For live, more frequently refreshed stats, use the official team stats link below.
What is Folding@home?
Folding@home is a volunteer distributed computing project that helps researchers run complex biological simulations at a scale that would otherwise be difficult, slow, or expensive. It focuses heavily on protein behavior and molecular dynamics—how proteins move, fold, and interact.
Proteins are essential building blocks of life. When proteins fold or interact incorrectly, it can contribute to many diseases. Folding@home uses donated computing power to simulate these processes, helping scientists understand what’s happening at a molecular level.
- You control everything: start, pause, or stop at any time.
- Power level is adjustable: lower power means less heat and lower electricity use.
- CPU and GPU supported: GPU folding often produces more work, but CPU-only still helps.
- Stats are delayed: totals update after work units complete and stats systems refresh.
If you’re on a laptop, start at a lighter power setting and make sure vents have airflow.
Start folding with our team (precise step-by-step)
Step 1: Download the official client
Download Folding@home from the official page:
https://foldingathome.org/start-folding/
Choose the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and run it.
Step 2: Install and open Folding@home
After installation, launch the Folding@home client. It will open a web-based control page in your browser. This page is where you set your donor name, choose a team, and start or pause folding.
Step 3: Choose your donor name (username)
Your donor name is what appears on public stats. Pick something you like. If you previously folded and want to keep continuity with an older identity, use the same donor name you used before.
Step 4: Add our Team ID
Find the Team field and enter:
1062996
This joins Folding in Our Pajamas.
Step 5: Choose how much power to donate
Most clients offer a simple power slider or mode selection. Choose a setting that matches your comfort level:
- Light: minimal impact, cooler and quieter
- Medium: balanced contribution
- Full: maximum contribution, more heat and power use
Step 6: Start folding
Click Start Folding (or Resume). Your computer will begin downloading work units when available. Completed work units are automatically uploaded.
Step 7: Confirm your contribution
After you complete work units, your donor name will appear on the team stats page. Updates are not instant, so allow some time for the stats systems to refresh.
Helpful tips for a smooth experience
- Heat and airflow: keep vents clear. Desktops benefit from good case airflow; laptops benefit from a flat surface or cooling stand.
- Electricity usage: full power uses more electricity. If you’re cost-conscious, use Light or Medium.
- Use your PC normally: if you notice slowdowns, lower the power setting or pause during gaming/work sessions.
- GPU vs CPU: if you have a supported GPU, enabling GPU folding often increases contribution significantly.
- Consistency matters: even a few hours a day adds up across the team.
Common questions (clear answers)
Is Folding@home safe?
Folding@home is a well-known volunteer computing project. You can control when it runs and how much of your hardware it uses. Like any heavy compute workload, it will raise CPU/GPU usage, which can increase temperatures if you run at full power.
What is a “work unit”?
A work unit is one chunk of a larger simulation. Your computer processes it, returns results, and then requests another. Work units vary in size and runtime depending on your hardware and the project.
When will my points show up?
Points typically appear after you complete work units and after the stats systems refresh. The daily summary shown on this page updates about once per day, while the official stats page can refresh more frequently.
Can I stop at any time?
Yes. You can pause or stop Folding@home at any time from the web control page. You can also adjust power settings whenever you like.