influxdata · jstirnaman · Oct 1, 2026 · Sep 28, 2026 · Sep 26, 2026 · Oct 1, 2026
diff --git a/content/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui.md b/content/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui.md
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ The integrated Explorer keeps its application state in a SQLite database that
 the server synchronizes to object storage for each cluster.
 You don't mount a volume to persist it, which is the main operational
 difference from the
-[Explorer Docker container](/influxdb3/explorer/install/#persist-data-across-restarts).
+[Explorer Docker container](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/#persist-data-across-restarts).
 
 ## Migrate data from the 3.11 UI {#migrate-data-from-the-311-ui metadata="v3.12+"}
 

diff --git a/content/influxdb3/enterprise/visualize-data/explorer.md b/content/influxdb3/enterprise/visualize-data/explorer.md
@@ -123,4 +123,4 @@ works with v3.11 and later.
 Use the container when you run Core, when you run an Enterprise release
 earlier than v3.11, or when you want Explorer to run separately from the
 database server--for example, on an operator workstation.
-See [Install and run InfluxDB 3 Explorer](/influxdb3/explorer/install/).
+See [Install and run InfluxDB 3 Explorer with Docker](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/).
diff --git a/content/influxdb3/explorer/_index.md b/content/influxdb3/explorer/_index.md
@@ -1,17 +1,28 @@
 ---
 title: InfluxDB 3 Explorer documentation
 description: >
-  InfluxDB 3 Explorer is a standalone web-based interface for interacting with InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise. Visualize, query, and manage your time series data efficiently.
+  InfluxDB 3 Explorer is a web-based interface for InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise. Visualize, query, and manage your time series data efficiently.
 menu:
   influxdb3_explorer:
     name: InfluxDB 3 Explorer
 weight: 1
 cascade:
   product: influxdb3_explorer
   version: explorer
+  prepend: |
+    > [!Important]
+    > #### How you install Explorer depends on your InfluxDB 3 server
+    >
+    > Starting with InfluxDB 3 Enterprise v3.11, Explorer is included with
+    > the server and runs as WebAssembly (WASM)--there's no separate
+    > container to install. Docker is required for InfluxDB 3 Core and
+    > Enterprise earlier than v3.11, and remains an option for later
+    > Enterprise releases. See
+    > [Install Explorer](/influxdb3/explorer/install/) to find the
+    > instructions for your server.
 ---
 
-InfluxDB 3 Explorer is the standalone web application designed for visualizing, querying, and managing your data stored in InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise.
+InfluxDB 3 Explorer is the web application for visualizing, querying, and managing your data stored in InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise.
 Explorer provides an intuitive interface for interacting with your time series data, streamlining database operations and enhancing data insights.
 
 ## Key features
@@ -24,23 +35,28 @@ Use InfluxDB 3 Explorer for:
 
 ## Quick start
 
-Run the Docker image to start InfluxDB 3 Explorer:
+How you install {{% product-name %}} depends on your InfluxDB 3 server:
 
-```sh
-# Pull the Docker image
-docker pull influxdata/influxdb3-ui
+- **InfluxDB 3 Enterprise v3.11 and later** includes Explorer as an
+  integrated WASM component. See
+  [Use the integrated Explorer UI](/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui/).
+- **InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise** can run Explorer as a standalone Docker
+  container. Docker is required for Core and Enterprise earlier than v3.11:
 
-# Run the Docker container
-docker run --detach \
-  --name influxdb3-explorer \
-  --publish 8080:8080 \
-  --publish 8443:8443 \
-  influxdata/influxdb3-ui \
-  --mode=admin
+  ```sh
+  # Pull the Docker image
+  docker pull influxdata/influxdb3-ui
 
-# Visit http://localhost:8080 in your browser to begin using InfluxDB 3 Explorer
-```
+  # Run the Docker container
+  docker run --detach \
+    --name influxdb3-explorer \
+    --publish 8080:8080 \
+    --publish 8443:8443 \
+    influxdata/influxdb3-ui \
+    --mode=admin
 
+  # Visit http://localhost:8080 in your browser to begin using InfluxDB 3 Explorer
+  ```
 
-For installation and configuration options, see [Install and run InfluxDB 3 Explorer](/influxdb3/explorer/install/).
+For installation and configuration options, see [Install InfluxDB 3 Explorer](/influxdb3/explorer/install/).
 <a class="btn" href="/influxdb3/explorer/get-started/">Get started using InfluxDB 3 Explorer</a>
diff --git a/content/influxdb3/explorer/about/_index.md b/content/influxdb3/explorer/about/_index.md
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@ Explorer is fully featured for [InfluxDB 3 Core](/influxdb3/core/) and
 [InfluxDB 3 Enterprise](/influxdb3/enterprise/).
 You can use Explorer to query data in and administer these products.
 
+Explorer runs as a standalone Docker container that works with either Core or
+Enterprise. Starting with InfluxDB 3 Enterprise v3.11, Explorer is also
+available as an integrated WebAssembly (WASM) component of the Enterprise
+server; it isn't distributed this way for Core. See
+[Install Explorer](/influxdb3/explorer/install/) to find the instructions for
+your InfluxDB 3 server.
+
 Explorer provides only _partial_ support for
 [InfluxDB Cloud Dedicated](/influxdb3/cloud-dedicated/) and
 [InfluxDB Cloud Serverless](/influxdb3/cloud-serverless/).

diff --git a/content/influxdb3/explorer/get-started.md b/content/influxdb3/explorer/get-started.md
@@ -73,7 +73,10 @@ InfluxDB 3 Explorer supports the following InfluxDB 3 products:
        > For Linux Docker Engine details, see the [Docker daemon documentation](https://docs.docker.com/reference/cli/dockerd/#configure-host-gateway-ip).
 
     - **Token**: The authorization token to use to connect to your InfluxDB 3 server.
-      We recommend using an InfluxDB 3 _admin_ token.
+      A resource token is enough to query and write data within the permissions
+      you grant it.
+      To manage databases, tokens, and other resources from Explorer, use an
+      admin token.
 
       > [!Important]
       > #### Token permissions determine Explorer's access
@@ -83,10 +86,18 @@ InfluxDB 3 Explorer supports the following InfluxDB 3 products:
       > tokens with limited permissions may not be able to use some Explorer
       > functionality.
       >
-      > The token's permissions also define what anyone with access to this
-      > Explorer instance can do. Use a token scoped to what you need, and
-      > control who can reach Explorer. See
-      > [Network exposure and access control](/influxdb3/explorer/install/#network-exposure-and-access-control).
+      > Without user authentication, the token's permissions also define what
+      > anyone with access to this Explorer instance can do. Use a token scoped
+      > to what you need, and control who can reach Explorer.
+      > With user authentication on an InfluxDB 3 Enterprise v3.12 or later
+      > server, users sign in first and their role determines what they can do.
+      > If you're running the
+      > [Docker container](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/), see
+      > [Network exposure and access control](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/#network-exposure-and-access-control).
+      > If you're using the
+      > [integrated Explorer UI](/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui/),
+      > control access through
+      > [`--http-bind`](/influxdb3/enterprise/reference/config-options/#http-bind).
 
 4.  Click **Add Server**.
 

diff --git a/content/influxdb3/explorer/install/_index.md b/content/influxdb3/explorer/install/_index.md
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+---
+title: Install InfluxDB 3 Explorer
+description: >
+  Install and run InfluxDB 3 Explorer. Instructions depend on your InfluxDB 3
+  server--integrated WASM for InfluxDB 3 Enterprise v3.11 and later, or
+  Docker for InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise.
+menu:
+  influxdb3_explorer:
+    name: Install Explorer
+weight: 2
+alt_links:
+  enterprise: /influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui/
+related:
+  - /influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui/, Use the integrated Explorer UI
+---
+
+How you install {{% product-name %}} depends on the InfluxDB 3 server you're
+connecting it to:
+
+- **InfluxDB 3 Enterprise v3.11 and later** includes Explorer as an
+  integrated WebAssembly (WASM) component--there's no separate container to
+  install. For setup instructions, see
+  [Use the integrated Explorer UI](/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui/).
+- **InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise** can run Explorer as a standalone Docker
+  container. Docker is required for Core and Enterprise earlier than v3.11.
+  For installation and configuration instructions, see
+  [Install and run InfluxDB 3 Explorer with Docker](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/).
+
+## Check which version applies to you
+
+If you already have an InfluxDB 3 server running, check its version and
+edition with `GET /ping`:
+
+```sh
+curl --get "http://localhost:8181/ping" \
+  --header "Authorization: Bearer AUTH_TOKEN"
+```
+
+The response includes the following version details:
+
+- `x-influxdb-version` reports the InfluxDB 3 server version.
+- `x-influxdb-build` reports whether the server is Core or Enterprise.
+- The response body includes the version in its `version` field.
+
+Use `GET`; a `HEAD` request to `/ping` returns `404`.
+
+If `x-influxdb-build` reports `Enterprise` and `x-influxdb-version` is `3.11`
+or later, use the
+[integrated Explorer UI](/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui/).
+Otherwise, use [Docker](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/).
+Docker also works with Enterprise v3.11 and later if you want to run Explorer
+separately from the server.
diff --git a/content/influxdb3/explorer/install.md → content/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker.md b/content/influxdb3/explorer/install.md → content/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker.md
@@ -1,14 +1,23 @@
 ---
-title: Install and run InfluxDB 3 Explorer
+title: Install and run InfluxDB 3 Explorer with Docker
 description: >
-  Use [Docker](https://docker.com) to install and run **InfluxDB 3 Explorer**.
+  Use [Docker](https://docker.com) to install and run **InfluxDB 3 Explorer**
+  as a standalone container against InfluxDB 3 Core or Enterprise.
 menu:
   influxdb3_explorer:
-    name: Install Explorer
-weight: 2
+    name: Docker
+weight: 1
+metadata: [InfluxDB 3 Core and Enterprise]
 ---
 
-Use [Docker](https://docker.com) to install and run **InfluxDB 3 Explorer**.
+Use [Docker](https://docker.com) to install and run **InfluxDB 3 Explorer**
+as a standalone container with [InfluxDB 3 Core](/influxdb3/core/) or
+[InfluxDB 3 Enterprise](/influxdb3/enterprise/), including Enterprise v3.11
+and later.
+Starting with Enterprise v3.11, Explorer is also available as an integrated
+WebAssembly (WASM) component of the server. See
+[Use the integrated Explorer UI](/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/explorer-ui/)
+if you run Enterprise v3.11 or later and don't need a separate container.
 
 > [!Important]
 > #### Control who can reach Explorer
@@ -232,8 +241,8 @@ Use the following practices to control access:
 
    {{< code-tabs-wrapper >}}
    {{% code-tabs %}}
-   [Docker](#)
-   [Docker Compose](#)
+   [Run container](#)
+   [Compose](#)
    {{% /code-tabs %}}
 
    {{% code-tab-content %}}
@@ -350,8 +359,8 @@ Instead of configuring connections through the UI, you can pre-define connection
 
    {{< code-tabs-wrapper >}}
    {{% code-tabs %}}
-   [Docker](#)
-   [Docker Compose](#)
+   [Run container](#)
+   [Compose](#)
    {{% /code-tabs %}}
 
    {{% code-tab-content %}}
@@ -405,8 +414,8 @@ To enable TLS/SSL for secure connections:
 
    {{< code-tabs-wrapper >}}
    {{% code-tabs %}}
-   [Docker](#)
-   [Docker Compose](#)
+   [Run container](#)
+   [Compose](#)
    {{% /code-tabs %}}
 
    {{% code-tab-content %}}
@@ -481,12 +490,12 @@ To configure Explorer to trust self-signed or custom CA certificates when connec
 3. **Mount the CA certificate directory and set the `NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS` environment variable:**
 
 {{< expand-wrapper >}}
-{{% expand "View example Docker configuration for self-signed certificates" %}}
+{{% expand "View example configuration for self-signed certificates" %}}
 
 {{< code-tabs-wrapper >}}
 {{% code-tabs %}}
-[Docker](#)
-[Docker Compose](#)
+[Run container](#)
+[Compose](#)
 {{% /code-tabs %}}
 {{% code-tab-content %}}
 
@@ -548,8 +557,8 @@ Set the mode using the `--mode` parameter:
 
 {{< code-tabs-wrapper >}}
 {{% code-tabs %}}
-[Docker](#)
-[Docker Compose](#)
+[Run container](#)
+[Compose](#)
 {{% /code-tabs %}}
 
 {{% code-tab-content %}}
@@ -635,8 +644,8 @@ services:
 
 {{< code-tabs-wrapper >}}
 {{% code-tabs %}}
-[Docker](#)
-[Docker Compose](#)
+[Run container](#)
+[Compose](#)
 {{% /code-tabs %}}
 
 {{% code-tab-content %}}

diff --git a/content/influxdb3/explorer/manage-databases.md b/content/influxdb3/explorer/manage-databases.md
@@ -17,9 +17,12 @@
 
 > [!Important]
 > Using {{% product-name %}} to manage a database in InfluxDB 3 requires that
-> Explorer is running in [admin mode](/influxdb3/explorer/install/#choose-operational-mode)
-> and that the token used in the InfluxDB 3 server configuration is an
+> the token used in the InfluxDB 3 server configuration is an
 > [admin token](/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/tokens/admin/).
+> If you're running the
+> [Docker container](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/), Explorer must also
+> be running in
+> [admin mode](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/#choose-operational-mode).
 
 To manage databases, navigate to **Manage Databases** in Explorer.
 This page provides a list of databases in the connected InfluxDB 3 server that
@@ -44,7 +47,7 @@

 4.  Click **{{< icon "check" >}} Create Database**.

 ## Delete a database

 1. On the **Manage Databases** page, click **{{< icon "trash" >}}**.
 2. Confirm that you want to delete the database.

diff --git a/content/influxdb3/explorer/manage-tokens.md b/content/influxdb3/explorer/manage-tokens.md
@@ -16,10 +16,13 @@ related:
 Core instance or InfluxDB 3 Enterprise cluster.
 
 > [!Important]
-> Using {{% product-name %}} to manage authorization tokens in InfluxDB 3 requires that
-> Explorer is running in [admin mode](/influxdb3/explorer/install/#choose-operational-mode)
-> and that the token used in the InfluxDB 3 server configuration is an
+> Using {{% product-name %}} to manage authorization tokens in InfluxDB 3
+> requires that the token used in the InfluxDB 3 server configuration is an
 > [admin token](/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/tokens/admin/).
+> If you're running the
+> [Docker container](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/), Explorer must also
+> be running in
+> [admin mode](/influxdb3/explorer/install/docker/#choose-operational-mode).
 
 To manage InfluxDB authorization tokens, navigate to **Manage Tokens** in Explorer.
 This page provides a list of databases in the connected InfluxDB 3 server that