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](https://github.com/coder/coder/releases/tag/v2.20.0) or later

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

- Access to your Coder deployment URL

- Valid Coder account credentials

**Estimated setup time:** 5-10 minutes

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You can install Coder Desktop on macOS or Windows.

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

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`

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

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

Coder Desktop creates a secure tunnel to your Coderdeployment, allowing you to:

1. Open**Coder Desktop** from the Applications directory.

-**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

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

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

Select**Open System Settings**.

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

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To manually install Coder Desktop:

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

Choose the architecture that fits your Windows system,`x64` or`arm64`.

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.

**System Requirements**

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

- .NET Windows Desktop Runtime (installed automatically if needed)

- Windows App Runtime SDK (may require manual installation)



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

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

Once connected, test accessto yourworkspaces:

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

**SSH Connection**

ssh your-workspace.coder

1. In your web browser, you may be prompted to sign in to Coder with your credentials.

**Ping Test**

ping6 -c 3 your-workspace.coder

1. Copy the session token to the clipboard:

ping -n 3 your-workspace.coder

1. Paste the tokeninthe**Session Token** field of the**Sign In** screen, then select**Sign In**:

Open`http://your-workspace.coder:8080`inyour browser (replace`8080` with your service's port)


**"Can't connect to workspace"**

- 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

1. Select the Coder icon in the menu bar (macOS) or system tray (Windows), and click the**Coder Connect** toggle to enable the connection.

**"VPN extension not working"**

- Restart Coder Desktop

- Check system permissions for network extensions

- Ensure only one copy of Coder Desktop is installed

This may take a few moments, because Coder Desktop will download the necessary components from the Coder server if they have been updated.

**VPN Conflicts**

Coder Desktop is unable to connect if the Coder deployment is only accessible via a VPN. This affects:

-[macOS](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-macos/issues/201)

-[Windows](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-windows/issues/147)

1. macOS: You may be prompted to enter your password to allow Coder Connecttostart.

A resolution is in development. For now, use the[Coder CLI](../cli.md) when connectedtocorporate VPNs.

1. Coder Connect is now running!

**Secure Browser Context**

Some web applications require HTTPS for certain features. While Coder Connect uses 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`

This is due to known issues with[macOS](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-macos/issues/201) and

[Windows](https://github.com/coder/coder-desktop-windows/issues/147) networking.

A resolution is in progress.

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`