Coder Desktop provides seamless access to your remote workspaces without the need to install a CLI or configure manual port forwarding.

Connect to workspace services using simple hostnames like`myworkspace.coder`, launch native applications with one click,

and synchronize files between local and remote environments.

Coder Desktop provides seamless access to your remote workspaces through a native application. Connect to workspace services using simple hostnames like`myworkspace.coder`, launch applications with one click, and synchronize files between local and remote environments—all without installing a CLI or configuring manual port forwarding.

- A Coder deployment running`v2.20.0` or[later](https://github.com/coder/coder/releases/latest)

- Administrator privileges on your local machine (for VPN extension installation)

- Access to your Coder deployment URL

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You can install Coder Desktop on macOS or Windows.

1. Use[Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) to install Coder Desktop:

brew install --cask coder/coder/coder-desktop

Alternatively, you can manually install Coder Desktop from the[releases page](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-macos/releases).

1. Install:`brew install --cask coder/coder/coder-desktop` (macOS) or`winget install Coder.CoderDesktop` (Windows)

1. Open Coder Desktop and approve any system prompts to complete the installation.

1. Sign in with your deployment URL and session token

1. Enable "Coder Connect" toggle

1. Access workspaces at`workspace-name.coder`

1. The application is treated as a system VPN. macOS will prompt you to confirm with:

**Coder Connect** the primmary component of Coder Desktop creates a secure tunnel to your Coder deployment, allowing you to:

**"Coder Desktop" would like to use a new network extension**

-**Access workspaces directly**: Connect via`workspace-name.coder` hostnames

-**Use any application**: SSH clients, browsers, IDEs work seamlessly

-**Sync files**: Bidirectional sync between local and remote directories

-**Work offline**: Edit files locally, sync when reconnected

Select**Open System Settings**.

The VPN extension routes only Coder traffic—your other internet activity remains unchanged.

1. Download the latest`CoderDesktop` installer executable (`.exe`) from the[coder-desktop-windows release page](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-windows/releases).

brew install --cask coder/coder/coder-desktop

1. Open the`.exe` file, acknowledge the license terms and conditions, and select**Install**.

1. Download the latest release from[coder-desktop-macos releases](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-macos/releases)

1. Drag`Coder Desktop.app` to your Applications folder

1. Open from Applications directory

1. When the Coder Desktop installation completes, select**Close**.

1. When prompted with**"Coder Desktop" would like to use a new network extension**, select**Open System Settings**

1. In**Network Extensions** settings, enable the Coder Desktop extension

1. You may need to enter your password to authorize the extension

1. Find and open**Coder Desktop** fromyourStart Menu.

✅**Verify Installation**:Coder Desktop should appear inyourmenu bar

1. Some systems require an additionalWindows App Runtime SDK.

Select**Yes** if you are prompted to install it.

This will open your default browser where you can download and install the latest stable release of the Windows App Runtime SDK.

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1. Coder Desktop starts minimized in the Windows System Tray.

winget install Coder.CoderDesktop

1. Continue to the[configuration section](#configure).

1. Download the latest`CoderDesktop` installer (`.exe`) from[coder-desktop-windows releases](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-windows/releases)

1. Choose the correct architecture (`x64` or`arm64`) for your system

1. Run the installer and accept the license terms

1. If prompted, install the .NET Windows Desktop Runtime

1. Install Windows App Runtime SDK if prompted

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Before you can use Coder Desktop, you will need to sign in.

1. Open the Desktop menu and select**Sign in**:

-[.NET Windows Desktop Runtime](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/8.0) (installed automatically if not present)

- Windows App Runtime SDK (may require manual installation)

1. In the**Sign In** window, enter your Coder deployment's URL and select**Next**:

ssh your-workspace.coder

1. macOS: Select the link to your deployment's`/cli-auth` page to generate a[session token](../../admin/users/sessions-tokens.md).

ping6 -c 3 your-workspace.coder

Windows: Select**Generate a token via the Web UI**.

ping -n 3 your-workspace.coder

1. Copythesession tokentothe clipboard:

Open`http://your-workspace.coder:PORT` in your browser, replacing`PORT` withthespecific service port you wanttoaccess (e.g. 3000 for frontend, 8080 for API)


- Verify Coder Connect is enabled (toggle should be ON)

- Check that your deployment URL is correct

- Ensure your session token hasn't expired

- Try disconnecting and reconnecting Coder Connect


- Restart Coder Desktop

- Check system permissions for network extensions

- Ensure only one copy of Coder Desktop is installed

1.Coder Connectis now running!

Some web applications require HTTPS for certain features. WhileCoder Connectuses encrypted WireGuard tunnels, browsers may show security warnings for HTTP connections to`.coder` hostnames.

If you encounter an issue with Coder Desktop that is not listed here, file an issue in the GitHub repository for

Coder Desktop for[macOS](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-macos/issues) or

[Windows](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-windows/issues), in the

[main Coder repository](https://github.com/coder/coder/issues), or consult the

[community on Discord](https://coder.com/chat).

If you encounter issues not covered here:

-**File an issue**:[macOS](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-macos/issues) |[Windows](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-windows/issues) |[General](https://github.com/coder/coder/issues)

-**Community support**:[Discord](https://coder.com/chat)

If the logged in Coder deployment requires a corporate VPN to connect, Coder Connect can't establish communication

through the VPN, and will time out.

1.**Disable Coder Connect** in the app menu

2.**Quit Coder Desktop** completely

3.**Remove VPN extension** from System Settings > Network Extensions

4.**Delete the app** from Applications folder

5.**Remove configuration** (optional):`rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Coder\ Desktop`

1.**Disable Coder Connect** in the app menu

2.**Quit Coder Desktop** from system tray

3.**Uninstall** via Settings > Apps or Control Panel

4.**Remove configuration** (optional): Delete`%APPDATA%\Coder Desktop`