diff --git a/INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md b/INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5da81d33
--- /dev/null
+++ b/INSTALLATION_GUIDE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,199 @@
+# LED Matrix Installation Guide
+
+## Quick Start (Recommended for First-Time Installation)
+
+For a complete first-time installation, run:
+
+```bash
+sudo ./first_time_install.sh
+```
+
+This single script handles everything you need for a new installation.
+
+## Individual Scripts Explained
+
+### **First-Time Installation Scripts**
+
+#### `first_time_install.sh` ⭐ **RECOMMENDED**
+- **When to use**: New installations only
+- **What it does**: Complete setup including all steps below
+- **Usage**: `sudo ./first_time_install.sh`
+
+### **Service Installation Scripts**
+
+#### `install_service.sh`
+- **When to use**: Install main LED Matrix display service
+- **What it does**: 
+  - Creates systemd service for main display
+  - Creates systemd service for web interface
+  - Enables services to start on boot
+- **Usage**: `sudo ./install_service.sh`
+
+#### `install_web_service.sh`
+- **When to use**: Install only the web interface service (legacy)
+- **What it does**: Installs the web interface systemd service
+- **Usage**: `sudo ./install_web_service.sh`
+- **Note**: `install_service.sh` now handles this automatically
+
+### **Permission Fix Scripts**
+
+#### `fix_cache_permissions.sh`
+- **When to use**: When you see cache permission errors
+- **What it does**:
+  - Creates cache directories (`/var/cache/ledmatrix`)
+  - Sets proper permissions for cache access
+  - Creates placeholder logo directories
+- **Usage**: `sudo ./fix_cache_permissions.sh`
+
+#### `fix_web_permissions.sh`
+- **When to use**: When web interface can't access logs or system commands
+- **What it does**:
+  - Adds user to `systemd-journal` group (for log access)
+  - Adds user to `adm` group (for system access)
+  - Sets proper file ownership
+- **Usage**: `./fix_web_permissions.sh` (run as regular user)
+
+#### `configure_web_sudo.sh`
+- **When to use**: When web interface buttons don't work (sudo password errors)
+- **What it does**:
+  - Configures passwordless sudo access for web interface
+  - Allows web interface to start/stop services without password
+- **Usage**: `./configure_web_sudo.sh` (run as regular user)
+
+### **Dependency Installation Scripts**
+
+#### `install_dependencies_apt.py`
+- **When to use**: When you want to install packages via apt first, then pip
+- **What it does**:
+  - Tries to install packages via apt (system packages)
+  - Falls back to pip with `--break-system-packages`
+  - Handles externally managed Python environments
+- **Usage**: `sudo python3 install_dependencies_apt.py`
+
+#### `start_web_v2.py`
+- **When to use**: Manual web interface startup
+- **What it does**:
+  - Installs dependencies
+  - Starts web interface directly
+  - Includes comprehensive logging
+- **Usage**: `python3 start_web_v2.py`
+
+#### `run_web_v2.sh`
+- **When to use**: Manual web interface startup (shell script version)
+- **What it does**: Same as `start_web_v2.py` but as a shell script
+- **Usage**: `./run_web_v2.sh`
+
+### **Utility Scripts**
+
+#### `cleanup_venv.sh`
+- **When to use**: Remove virtual environment if you don't want to use it
+- **What it does**: Removes `venv_web_v2` directory
+- **Usage**: `./cleanup_venv.sh`
+
+#### `start_web_conditionally.py`
+- **When to use**: Called by systemd service (don't run manually)
+- **What it does**:
+  - Checks config for `web_display_autostart` setting
+  - Starts web interface only if enabled
+  - Used by the systemd service
+
+## Installation Scenarios
+
+### **Scenario 1: Brand New Installation**
+```bash
+# One command does everything
+sudo ./first_time_install.sh
+```
+
+### **Scenario 2: Adding Web Interface to Existing Installation**
+```bash
+# Install web interface dependencies
+sudo python3 install_dependencies_apt.py
+
+# Fix permissions
+./fix_web_permissions.sh
+
+# Configure sudo access
+./configure_web_sudo.sh
+
+# Install services
+sudo ./install_service.sh
+```
+
+### **Scenario 3: Fixing Permission Issues**
+```bash
+# Fix cache permissions
+sudo ./fix_cache_permissions.sh
+
+# Fix web interface permissions
+./fix_web_permissions.sh
+
+# Configure sudo access
+./configure_web_sudo.sh
+
+# Log out and back in for group changes to take effect
+```
+
+### **Scenario 4: Manual Web Interface Startup**
+```bash
+# Start web interface manually (for testing)
+python3 start_web_v2.py
+```
+
+## Post-Installation Steps
+
+### **1. Log Out and Log Back In**
+After running permission scripts, you need to log out and back in for group changes to take effect:
+```bash
+# Or use this command to apply group changes immediately
+newgrp systemd-journal
+```
+
+### **2. Configure the Web Interface**
+Edit `config/config.json` and set:
+```json
+{
+    "web_display_autostart": true
+}
+```
+
+### **3. Access the Web Interface**
+Open your browser and go to:
+```
+http://your-pi-ip:5001
+```
+
+### **4. Test Everything**
+- Check if services are running: `sudo systemctl status ledmatrix.service`
+- Check web interface: `sudo systemctl status ledmatrix-web.service`
+- View logs: `journalctl -u ledmatrix.service -f`
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### **Web Interface Not Accessible**
+1. Check if service is running: `sudo systemctl status ledmatrix-web.service`
+2. Check logs: `journalctl -u ledmatrix-web.service -f`
+3. Ensure `web_display_autostart` is `true` in config
+
+### **Permission Errors**
+1. Run: `./fix_web_permissions.sh`
+2. Run: `./configure_web_sudo.sh`
+3. Log out and back in
+
+### **Cache Permission Errors**
+1. Run: `sudo ./fix_cache_permissions.sh`
+
+### **Sudo Password Prompts**
+1. Run: `./configure_web_sudo.sh`
+2. Log out and back in
+
+### **Dependency Installation Errors**
+1. Run: `sudo python3 install_dependencies_apt.py`
+
+## Summary
+
+For **first-time installations**: Use `first_time_install.sh`
+
+For **existing installations with issues**: Use the individual permission and configuration scripts as needed.
+
+The `first_time_install.sh` script is designed to handle everything automatically, so you typically only need to run individual scripts if you're troubleshooting specific issues.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cedcc498..5377cac0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -246,6 +246,12 @@ sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt
 sudo reboot
 ```
 
+9. Run the first_time_install.sh with 
+```
+sudo ./first_time_install.sh
+```
+to ensure all the permissions are correct.
+
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 ## Configuration
@@ -807,7 +813,7 @@ This will start the display cycle but only stays active as long as your ssh sess
 
 The LEDMatrix can be installed as a systemd service to run automatically at boot and be managed easily. The service runs as root to ensure proper hardware timing access for the LED matrix.
 
-### Installing the Service
+### Installing the Service (this is included in the first_time_install.sh)
 
 1. Make the install script executable:
 ```bash
diff --git a/first_time_install.sh b/first_time_install.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7547f010
--- /dev/null
+++ b/first_time_install.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,268 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# LED Matrix First-Time Installation Script
+# This script handles the complete setup for a new LED Matrix installation
+
+set -e
+
+echo "=========================================="
+echo "LED Matrix First-Time Installation Script"
+echo "=========================================="
+echo ""
+
+# Get the actual user who invoked sudo
+if [ -n "$SUDO_USER" ]; then
+    ACTUAL_USER="$SUDO_USER"
+else
+    ACTUAL_USER=$(whoami)
+fi
+
+# Get the home directory of the actual user
+USER_HOME=$(eval echo ~$ACTUAL_USER)
+
+# Determine the Project Root Directory (where this script is located)
+PROJECT_ROOT_DIR=$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)
+
+echo "Detected user: $ACTUAL_USER"
+echo "User home directory: $USER_HOME"
+echo "Project directory: $PROJECT_ROOT_DIR"
+echo ""
+
+# Check if running as root
+if [ "$EUID" -eq 0 ]; then
+    echo "✓ Running as root (required for installation)"
+else
+    echo "✗ This script must be run as root (use sudo)"
+    echo "Usage: sudo ./first_time_install.sh"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "This script will perform the following steps:"
+echo "1. Install system dependencies"
+echo "2. Fix cache permissions"
+echo "3. Install main LED Matrix service"
+echo "4. Install web interface service"
+echo "5. Configure web interface permissions"
+echo "6. Configure passwordless sudo access"
+echo "7. Set up proper file ownership"
+echo "8. Test the installation"
+echo ""
+
+# Ask for confirmation
+read -p "Do you want to proceed with the installation? (y/N): " -n 1 -r
+echo
+if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+    echo "Installation cancelled."
+    exit 0
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Step 1: Installing system dependencies..."
+echo "----------------------------------------"
+
+# Update package list
+apt update
+
+# Install required system packages
+echo "Installing Python packages and dependencies..."
+apt install -y python3-pip python3-venv python3-dev python3-pil python3-pil.imagetk
+
+# Install additional system dependencies that might be needed
+echo "Installing additional system dependencies..."
+apt install -y git curl wget unzip
+
+echo "✓ System dependencies installed"
+echo ""
+
+echo "Step 2: Fixing cache permissions..."
+echo "----------------------------------"
+
+# Run the cache permissions fix
+if [ -f "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/fix_cache_permissions.sh" ]; then
+    echo "Running cache permissions fix..."
+    bash "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/fix_cache_permissions.sh"
+    echo "✓ Cache permissions fixed"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Cache permissions script not found, creating cache directories manually..."
+    mkdir -p /var/cache/ledmatrix
+    chown "$ACTUAL_USER:$ACTUAL_USER" /var/cache/ledmatrix
+    chmod 777 /var/cache/ledmatrix
+    echo "✓ Cache directories created manually"
+fi
+echo ""
+
+echo "Step 3: Installing main LED Matrix service..."
+echo "---------------------------------------------"
+
+# Run the main service installation
+if [ -f "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/install_service.sh" ]; then
+    echo "Running main service installation..."
+    bash "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/install_service.sh"
+    echo "✓ Main LED Matrix service installed"
+else
+    echo "✗ Main service installation script not found"
+    exit 1
+fi
+echo ""
+
+echo "Step 4: Installing web interface dependencies..."
+echo "------------------------------------------------"
+
+# Install web interface dependencies
+echo "Installing Python dependencies for web interface..."
+cd "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR"
+
+# Try to install dependencies using the smart installer if available
+if [ -f "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/install_dependencies_apt.py" ]; then
+    echo "Using smart dependency installer..."
+    python3 "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/install_dependencies_apt.py"
+else
+    echo "Using pip to install dependencies..."
+    python3 -m pip install --break-system-packages -r requirements_web_v2.txt
+    
+    # Install rgbmatrix module from local source
+    echo "Installing rgbmatrix module..."
+    python3 -m pip install --break-system-packages -e rpi-rgb-led-matrix-master/bindings/python
+fi
+
+echo "✓ Web interface dependencies installed"
+echo ""
+
+echo "Step 5: Configuring web interface permissions..."
+echo "------------------------------------------------"
+
+# Add user to required groups
+echo "Adding user to systemd-journal group..."
+usermod -a -G systemd-journal "$ACTUAL_USER"
+
+echo "Adding user to adm group..."
+usermod -a -G adm "$ACTUAL_USER"
+
+echo "✓ User added to required groups"
+echo ""
+
+echo "Step 6: Configuring passwordless sudo access..."
+echo "------------------------------------------------"
+
+# Create sudoers configuration for the web interface
+echo "Creating sudoers configuration..."
+SUDOERS_FILE="/etc/sudoers.d/ledmatrix_web"
+
+# Get command paths
+PYTHON_PATH=$(which python3)
+SYSTEMCTL_PATH=$(which systemctl)
+REBOOT_PATH=$(which reboot)
+POWEROFF_PATH=$(which poweroff)
+BASH_PATH=$(which bash)
+
+# Create sudoers content
+cat > /tmp/ledmatrix_web_sudoers << EOF
+# LED Matrix Web Interface passwordless sudo configuration
+# This allows the web interface user to run specific commands without a password
+
+# Allow $ACTUAL_USER to run specific commands without a password for the LED Matrix web interface
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $REBOOT_PATH
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $POWEROFF_PATH
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $SYSTEMCTL_PATH start ledmatrix.service
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $SYSTEMCTL_PATH stop ledmatrix.service
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $SYSTEMCTL_PATH restart ledmatrix.service
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $SYSTEMCTL_PATH enable ledmatrix.service
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $SYSTEMCTL_PATH disable ledmatrix.service
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $SYSTEMCTL_PATH status ledmatrix.service
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $PYTHON_PATH $PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/display_controller.py
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $BASH_PATH $PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/start_display.sh
+$ACTUAL_USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: $BASH_PATH $PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/stop_display.sh
+EOF
+
+# Install the sudoers file
+cp /tmp/ledmatrix_web_sudoers "$SUDOERS_FILE"
+chmod 440 "$SUDOERS_FILE"
+rm /tmp/ledmatrix_web_sudoers
+
+echo "✓ Passwordless sudo access configured"
+echo ""
+
+echo "Step 7: Setting proper file ownership..."
+echo "----------------------------------------"
+
+# Set ownership of project files to the user
+echo "Setting project file ownership..."
+chown -R "$ACTUAL_USER:$ACTUAL_USER" "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR"
+
+# Set proper permissions for config files
+if [ -f "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/config/config.json" ]; then
+    chmod 644 "$PROJECT_ROOT_DIR/config/config.json"
+    echo "✓ Config file permissions set"
+fi
+
+echo "✓ File ownership configured"
+echo ""
+
+echo "Step 8: Testing the installation..."
+echo "----------------------------------"
+
+# Test sudo access
+echo "Testing sudo access..."
+if sudo -u "$ACTUAL_USER" sudo -n systemctl status ledmatrix.service > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "✓ Sudo access test passed"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Sudo access test failed - may need to log out and back in"
+fi
+
+# Test journal access
+echo "Testing journal access..."
+if sudo -u "$ACTUAL_USER" journalctl --no-pager --lines=1 > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "✓ Journal access test passed"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Journal access test failed - may need to log out and back in"
+fi
+
+# Check service status
+echo "Checking service status..."
+if systemctl is-active --quiet ledmatrix.service; then
+    echo "✓ Main LED Matrix service is running"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Main LED Matrix service is not running"
+fi
+
+if systemctl is-active --quiet ledmatrix-web.service; then
+    echo "✓ Web interface service is running"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Web interface service is not running"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "=========================================="
+echo "Installation Complete!"
+echo "=========================================="
+echo ""
+echo "IMPORTANT: For group changes to take effect, you need to:"
+echo "1. Log out and log back in to your SSH session, OR"
+echo "2. Run: newgrp systemd-journal"
+echo ""
+echo "After logging back in, you can:"
+echo ""
+echo "Access the web interface at:"
+echo "  http://your-pi-ip:5001"
+echo ""
+echo "Check service status:"
+echo "  sudo systemctl status ledmatrix.service"
+echo "  sudo systemctl status ledmatrix-web.service"
+echo ""
+echo "View logs:"
+echo "  journalctl -u ledmatrix.service -f"
+echo "  journalctl -u ledmatrix-web.service -f"
+echo ""
+echo "Control the display:"
+echo "  sudo systemctl start ledmatrix.service"
+echo "  sudo systemctl stop ledmatrix.service"
+echo ""
+echo "Enable/disable web interface autostart:"
+echo "  Edit config/config.json and set 'web_display_autostart': true"
+echo ""
+echo "Configuration files:"
+echo "  Main config: config/config.json"
+echo "  Secrets: config/config_secrets.json (create from template if needed)"
+echo ""
+echo "Enjoy your LED Matrix display!"
diff --git a/fix_web_permissions.sh b/fix_web_permissions.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b5c462f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fix_web_permissions.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# LED Matrix Web Interface Permissions Fix Script
+# This script fixes permissions for the web interface to access logs and system commands
+
+set -e
+
+echo "Fixing LED Matrix Web Interface permissions..."
+
+# Get the current user (should be the user running the web interface)
+WEB_USER=$(whoami)
+PROJECT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+
+echo "Detected web interface user: $WEB_USER"
+echo "Project directory: $PROJECT_DIR"
+
+# Check if running as root
+if [ "$EUID" -eq 0 ]; then
+    echo "Error: This script should not be run as root."
+    echo "Run it as the user that will be running the web interface."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "This script will:"
+echo "1. Add the web user to the 'systemd-journal' group for log access"
+echo "2. Add the web user to the 'adm' group for additional system access"
+echo "3. Configure sudoers for passwordless access to system commands"
+echo "4. Set proper file permissions"
+echo ""
+
+# Ask for confirmation
+read -p "Do you want to proceed? (y/N): " -n 1 -r
+echo
+if [[ ! $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+    echo "Permission fix cancelled."
+    exit 0
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Step 1: Adding user to systemd-journal group..."
+if sudo usermod -a -G systemd-journal "$WEB_USER"; then
+    echo "✓ Added $WEB_USER to systemd-journal group"
+else
+    echo "✗ Failed to add user to systemd-journal group"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Step 2: Adding user to adm group..."
+if sudo usermod -a -G adm "$WEB_USER"; then
+    echo "✓ Added $WEB_USER to adm group"
+else
+    echo "✗ Failed to add user to adm group"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Step 3: Setting proper file permissions..."
+# Set ownership of project files to the web user
+if sudo chown -R "$WEB_USER:$WEB_USER" "$PROJECT_DIR"; then
+    echo "✓ Set project ownership to $WEB_USER"
+else
+    echo "✗ Failed to set project ownership"
+fi
+
+# Set proper permissions for config files
+if sudo chmod 644 "$PROJECT_DIR/config/config.json" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "✓ Set config file permissions"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Config file permissions not set (file may not exist)"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Step 4: Testing journal access..."
+# Test if the user can now access journal logs
+if journalctl --user-unit=ledmatrix.service --no-pager --lines=1 > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "✓ Journal access test passed"
+elif sudo -u "$WEB_USER" journalctl --no-pager --lines=1 > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "✓ Journal access test passed (with sudo)"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Journal access test failed - you may need to log out and back in"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Step 5: Testing sudo access..."
+# Test sudo access for system commands
+if sudo -n systemctl status ledmatrix.service > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo "✓ Sudo access test passed"
+else
+    echo "⚠ Sudo access test failed - you may need to run configure_web_sudo.sh"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "Permission fix completed!"
+echo ""
+echo "IMPORTANT: For group changes to take effect, you need to:"
+echo "1. Log out and log back in, OR"
+echo "2. Run: newgrp systemd-journal"
+echo "3. Restart the web interface service:"
+echo "   sudo systemctl restart ledmatrix-web.service"
+echo ""
+echo "After logging back in, test journal access with:"
+echo "  journalctl --no-pager --lines=5"
+echo ""
+echo "If you still have sudo issues, run:"
+echo "  ./configure_web_sudo.sh"