Desktop App
StudioBrain Desktop is the full-featured client for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is the best place to set up projects, work offline, run local AI models, and host FileServer access for your web and mobile clients.
What desktop is best for
Use the desktop app when you want to:
- create or import a project from a local folder
- work offline without depending on a cloud connection
- run local AI models on your own machine
- keep a desktop-hosted FileServer online for other clients
- use operating-system features like deep links, tray controls, and local files
If you only need quick access from a browser or phone, the web and mobile apps are usually lighter-weight entry points. Desktop remains the primary workspace for local-first setups.
Supported platforms
StudioBrain Desktop is available for:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
For install steps, package formats, and minimum operating-system versions, start with the Installation guide.
Project model
On desktop, your project lives in a normal folder you choose. StudioBrain reads and writes project content there instead of hiding it in a proprietary database format. That makes backups, version control, and manual inspection much easier.
When you open a project, the desktop app scans templates, rules, and content files, then builds the local cache it needs for fast search and editing.
Offline-first workflow
Desktop is designed to keep working when your network is unavailable. You can still:
- browse and edit project content
- search locally
- validate templates and rules
- use local AI providers you have configured
- review the relationship graph and project structure
Cloud sync, shared state, and managed AI features resume when connectivity returns. If your account uses an offline grace period, StudioBrain prompts you to sign in again when that window expires.
FileServer
Desktop can host a FileServer so your own web and mobile clients can reach project content without moving the source of truth out of your machine.
With FileServer enabled:
- your desktop stays the source of truth for the project files
- web and mobile can open that project while the desktop stays online
- transfers may use local-network shortcuts when devices are on the same LAN
If the hosting desktop goes offline, dependent web and mobile access will be interrupted until it reconnects.
Cloud sync
Desktop can also connect to StudioBrain cloud services for backup, collaboration, or multi-device access.
Common sync flows include:
- Push your local project to cloud for the first sync
- Pull an existing cloud project down to desktop
- Two-way sync to keep local and remote copies aligned
If you use a self-hosted StudioBrain deployment, enter the instance URL in the desktop cloud connection settings before signing in.
Local AI
Desktop is the client that can run local AI providers directly on your machine. This is useful when you want lower latency on a capable workstation, offline generation, or tighter control over where prompts and project data are processed.
Depending on your setup, desktop can also switch between local and managed providers so you can keep the same project workflow while changing where inference runs.
Tray controls and background behavior
On supported platforms, StudioBrain Desktop provides tray or menu-bar controls for background services. That makes it easier to:
- reopen the main window
- confirm whether background services are healthy
- restart FileServer-related processes
- leave supporting services running while the main window is closed
This matters most when the desktop is hosting FileServer access for other devices.
Deep links and local integration
Desktop integrates more deeply with the operating system than the web client. For example, StudioBrain can open project or entity links directly from desktop-aware URL schemes and can work with normal local files and folders without requiring uploads first.
Plugins and project extensions
Desktop also has the broadest support for project-level extensions such as rules, skills, and other plugin-driven workflows discovered from your project files. If your team relies on advanced local customization, desktop is usually the most complete environment.
Chat Panel & Voice Entry
The desktop app includes an embedded chat panel and voice entry surface for conversational interaction with StudioBrain’s AI capabilities.
Chat Panel
The Chat Panel provides a clean, dark-themed chat interface where you can:
- Send text messages — type your prompt and press Enter (or Shift+Enter for a newline)
- View streaming responses — see AI responses render in real time as they generate
- Manage chat sessions — create new conversations, switch between them, or delete old ones
- Switch between text and voice input — the embedded microphone button lets you speak instead of type
Voice Entry
Voice Entry lets you speak your prompts instead of typing them:
- Click the microphone button in the chat panel
- Grant microphone permission if prompted (this is a one-time request)
- Speak your prompt — the recording indicator shows while capturing audio
- Transcription happens automatically — your speech is converted to text and placed in the chat input
- Review and send — the transcribed text appears in the input field, ready for you to edit or send
Voice transcription uses a Whisper-compatible model. You can configure which model to use in the voice entry settings. Local model inference is available if you have a GPU-capable desktop setup; otherwise, transcription routes through your configured cloud provider.
Global Assistant
The Global Assistant (accessible at the /assistant route) provides a whole-app AI assistant surface with integrated voice entry. From here you can interact with StudioBrain’s AI capabilities using either text or voice, without needing to navigate to a specific entity or workspace first.