ty\e on your desktop
Same AI engineering assistant — native window, system tray, global hotkey, and auto-updates.
macOS
Linux
All builds & checksums are published on GitHub Releases ↗.
Or install as a PWA — zero download
Open ty\e in Chrome, Edge, or Safari, then click the Install icon in the address bar (or "Add to Home Screen" on iOS). Same app, ~0 MB install, auto-updates instantly.
What you get
- Native window — runs separately from your browser, own dock/taskbar icon
- Global hotkey —
⌘⇧\(Mac) /Ctrl+Shift+\(Win/Linux) summons ty\e from anywhere - System tray — quick "New chat" + always-running for fast resume
- Native menu bar — File / Edit / View / Help with standard shortcuts
- Auto-updates — new web versions ship to your installed app automatically
- External link handling — OAuth opens in your default browser (so cookies stay intact); Stripe Checkout for solo & Team plans runs inline inside the app
- Team workspaces — same shared chats, live collaboration, and audit log as the web app; pick your workspace from the sidebar switcher
System requirements
- macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later
- Apple Silicon or Intel
- ~180 MB disk space
- Windows 10 (1809) or later
- x64 (64-bit)
- ~200 MB disk space
- glibc 2.28+ (Ubuntu 20.04+, Fedora 32+)
- x86_64 (arm64 coming soon)
- ~180 MB disk space
Common questions
Is the desktop app different from the web app?
No — it's a thin native wrapper around the same web app. Same login, same chat history, same team workspaces (shared chats, live collaboration, audit log all work identically). Differences:
- Standalone window (no browser tabs)
- Global hotkey + system tray + native menu
- OAuth opens in your real browser so cookies stay intact (Stripe checkout for Pro / Max / Team runs inline inside the app)
Does the desktop app work with Team workspaces?
Yes. The workspace switcher in the sidebar lets you flip between your personal account and any team you belong to. Shared chats stream in real time, CAD updates from teammates appear instantly, and the activity log is identical to the web app.
Why does Windows say "unknown publisher"?
The current build is unsigned (we're applying for the EV code-signing cert). To run:
- Click More info → Run anyway on the SmartScreen dialog
- Or use the Portable build which skips installation
1.0 GA will be signed and avoid this warning entirely.
Why does macOS say "ty\e can't be opened"?
macOS Gatekeeper blocks unsigned apps by default. To run:
- Right-click the app → Open → click Open in the dialog
- Or System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open anyway
1.0 GA will be signed + notarised by Apple.
How do updates work?
Two layers:
- Web updates (most of the time) — when we ship new chat features, CSS, or fixes, they appear on your next launch automatically. No download needed.
- Native shell updates (rare) — when the Electron version itself or platform integrations change, the app prompts you to download a new installer. Auto-update is built in.
Can I use the desktop app offline?
The app needs the internet for AI responses — chat, CAD, voice all run on our servers. But you can still:
- Read past conversations cached locally
- Browse settings, help, and the landing pages
True offline AI would require running models locally, which is on our long-term roadmap.
How do I uninstall?
- macOS: drag ty\e from Applications to Trash
- Windows: Settings → Apps → ty\e → Uninstall
- Linux AppImage: delete the .AppImage file
- Linux .deb:
sudo apt remove tyle - Linux .rpm:
sudo dnf remove tyle
Your account data lives on the server — uninstalling doesn't delete it. To delete your account, see Privacy & data.