Desktop App

Use the Brightwave desktop app when you want Brightwave in a dedicated application window instead of a browser tab. The desktop app uses the same Brightwave account and projects as app.brightwave.io.

Install from Brightwave

In Brightwave, open your user menu and choose Downloads. The desktop download item detects your operating system and processor when possible, then shows the matching installer.

If Brightwave cannot detect your device, open the Brightwave downloads page or use the direct links below.

Desktop downloads

macOS

Windows

The easiest way to install on Windows is from the Microsoft Store, which handles installation and automatic updates for you. You can also use the direct installers below.

Linux

Sign in

The desktop app signs you in through your browser. Choose Sign In with Browser, complete the Brightwave login flow, and the browser returns you to the desktop app.

Local folder access

The desktop app can work directly with files on your computer — without sending your whole machine to the cloud. You authorize specific folders, per project, and Brightwave only works inside the folders you pick.

To connect a folder, open Add sources and choose to connect a local folder, then pick the folder you want to share. For each folder you grant an access level:

• Read — agents can open and analyze files in the folder.
• Import — agents can bring relevant files into your project's data room as sources.
• Write — agents can save Brightwave outputs (reports, tables, presentations) back into the folder, and optionally open them in your default app.

You stay in control: access is confined to the folders you authorize, existing files aren't overwritten unless you allow it, and you can change an access level or revoke a folder at any time from Settings → Local folder access.

Computer use

On macOS, the desktop app can view and interact with apps on your screen to help you complete a task — for example, reading what's open in another application or filling something in on your behalf.

The first time you use it, macOS asks you to grant Screen Recording and Accessibility permissions; the app walks you through a short checklist. While Brightwave is acting, a persistent on-screen indicator shows that computer use is active, and a Stop control lets you halt it immediately. Consequential actions always pause for your explicit confirmation, and you can turn computer use off in desktop settings.

Clipboard

The desktop app can read from and write to your system clipboard when it helps with a task — for example, pulling in text you've just copied, or placing a result where you can paste it elsewhere. Clipboard text you ask Brightwave to read is treated strictly as content to work with, never as instructions.

Permission modes

Local actions — reading and writing files, running commands, and computer use — are governed by a permission mode you choose:

• Ask — Brightwave shows an approval card before each local action so you can review and approve it. Approve once, or grant an "always allow" for that kind of action.
• Auto — routine, low-risk actions run without a prompt, while consequential ones still pause for your confirmation.

You can set your mode from the composer on the project home page before you start — it applies to the new project — or switch it anytime inside a conversation. Approval cards appear inline in the chat. You can review and revoke any "always allow" grants you've given from desktop settings.

Menu bar and system tray

Keep Brightwave running in the background by enabling Show in menu bar in desktop app settings. On macOS, a Brightwave icon appears in the menu bar; on Windows and Linux, it appears in the system tray. While enabled, the app stays running when you close all windows — click the tray icon to reopen it, or right-click for quick actions.

Keyboard shortcuts

Press ⌘/ (Mac) or Ctrl+/ (Windows/Linux) to open the keyboard shortcuts dialog. Key shortcuts include:

• ⌘N — create a new project (from the home page) or a new chat (inside a project)
• ⌘B — toggle the sidebar
• ⌘K — focus the composer or open search

The dialog shows all available shortcuts for your current context and displays platform-appropriate key labels.

Notifications

The desktop app delivers native operating system notifications for Brightwave events — such as when a shared resource arrives or an agent finishes work. Notifications appear through your OS notification center (macOS, Windows, or Linux) even when the app is in the background. If native notifications aren't available, the app falls back to browser-style alerts.

Manage notification preferences in Settings → Notifications within Brightwave.

Updates

The packaged desktop app checks for updates automatically. You can also check manually from the app menu: on macOS, open the Brightwave menu and choose Check for Updates; on Windows or Linux, open File and choose Check for Updates.

Other downloads

The same Downloads menu also includes:

• Microsoft Add-in for Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Brightwave for iOS.
• Brightwave for Android.

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