> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openheaders.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Desktop quick start

> Install the Open Headers desktop app, understand the tray model, and pair it with the browser extension.

By the end of this page the desktop app is running in your system tray
and paired with the browser extension. The desktop app is the
companion tier: it adds dynamic value sources, git-backed workspace
sync, and a local proxy on top of what the extension does alone.

## Install

Every installer is on the
[releases page](https://github.com/OpenHeaders/open-headers/releases),
with SHA-256 checksums. Installers are signed, and the app keeps
itself current with built-in updates (you stay in control of when it
restarts).

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS" icon="https://mintcdn.com/openheaders/WfyAsr6gNVo6Xyj0/images/macos.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=WfyAsr6gNVo6Xyj0&q=85&s=a912836a86208b8dac081c1d9ff62a22" width="16" height="16" data-path="images/macos.svg">
    Download the `.dmg` for your Mac, open it, and drag Open Headers
    into Applications:

    * [Apple silicon (`mac-arm64`)](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/OpenHeaders-2026.8.4-mac-arm64.dmg)
    * [Intel (`mac-x64`)](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/OpenHeaders-2026.8.4-mac-x64.dmg)

    The app is signed and notarized. A `.pkg` installer ships
    alongside each `.dmg` for managed deployments.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows" icon="https://mintcdn.com/openheaders/WfyAsr6gNVo6Xyj0/images/windows.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=WfyAsr6gNVo6Xyj0&q=85&s=7b9121ff50d05cd1df797ff214353673" width="16" height="16" data-path="images/windows.svg">
    Download and run the installer:

    * [Installer (`Setup.exe`)](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/OpenHeaders-2026.8.4-Setup.exe)
    * [Managed/silent installs (`.msi`)](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/OpenHeaders-2026.8.4.msi)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux" icon="https://mintcdn.com/openheaders/WfyAsr6gNVo6Xyj0/images/linux.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=WfyAsr6gNVo6Xyj0&q=85&s=3d829333d9d325177b294f76f51fd7c3" width="16" height="16" data-path="images/linux.svg">
    Download the package for your distribution and architecture:

    * Debian/Ubuntu: [`amd64.deb`](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/open-headers_2026.8.4_amd64.deb) · [`arm64.deb`](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/open-headers_2026.8.4_arm64.deb)
    * Fedora/RHEL/openSUSE: [`x86_64.rpm`](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/open-headers-2026.8.4.x86_64.rpm) · [`aarch64.rpm`](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/open-headers-2026.8.4.aarch64.rpm)
    * Distro-agnostic: [`x86_64.AppImage`](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/OpenHeaders-2026.8.4-x86_64.AppImage) · [`arm64.AppImage`](https://updates.openheaders.com/dl/v2026.8.4/OpenHeaders-2026.8.4-arm64.AppImage)

    Install it with your package manager:

    ```sh theme={null}
    sudo apt install ./open-headers_2026.8.4_amd64.deb
    # or
    sudo dnf install ./open-headers-2026.8.4.x86_64.rpm
    ```

    The first install registers the official Open Headers package
    repository and its signing key, so later updates arrive through
    `apt upgrade` / `dnf upgrade` like any other package.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## The tray model

Open Headers is a background app: after launch it lives in the system
tray (menu bar on macOS) and does its critical work — serving the
extension, refreshing sources, syncing workspaces — without any window
open. Open the workbench window from the tray icon when you want the
UI; closing the window leaves the app running.

## Pair the extension

Nothing to configure: the desktop app listens on `127.0.0.1:8137` and
the [extension](/quickstart/extension) connects to it automatically
when both run on the same machine. The extension's connection indicator
shows when the pairing is live, and dynamic values from the desktop app
become available to your rules.

## Next steps

* Put a [rule on live traffic](/quickstart/extension) if you haven't
  yet — rules author the same way everywhere.
* Prefer a headless, shared back end? The same engine runs as a
  [self-hosted server](/quickstart/server).