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

# Desktop App

> Run Monocle Studio as a standalone desktop application, no terminal needed

Monocle Studio also ships as a **standalone desktop app** for macOS, Linux, and Windows. Same features as the CLI version, packaged as a native application.

<Info>
  The desktop app is completely optional. It runs the exact same Studio server under the hood, just wrapped in a native window instead of your browser. Pick whichever you prefer.
</Info>

## Why use the desktop app?

The CLI version works great. The desktop app adds a few quality-of-life improvements:

* **Always running in the background.** Studio lives in your system tray. The OTLP endpoint stays active even when you close the window. No terminal tab to keep open.
* **One click to open.** Click the tray icon instead of switching to a terminal and running a command.
* **Auto-updates.** New versions are downloaded and installed silently. No `npm update` needed.
* **Dedicated window.** Studio gets its own window in your taskbar/dock instead of being a browser tab you might accidentally close.

## No telemetry

The desktop app does not collect any telemetry, analytics, or usage data. Your traces and logs stay on your machine in `~/.config/monocle/studio.db`, exactly like the CLI version.

## Download

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="macOS (Apple Silicon)" icon="apple" href="https://download.monocle.sh/Monocle-Studio-mac-arm64.dmg">
    M1, M2, M3, M4
  </Card>

  <Card title="macOS (Intel)" icon="apple" href="https://download.monocle.sh/Monocle-Studio-mac-x64.dmg">
    Intel-based Macs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Linux" icon="linux" href="https://download.monocle.sh/Monocle-Studio-linux-x64.AppImage">
    AppImage (x64)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Windows" icon="windows" href="https://download.monocle.sh/Monocle-Studio-windows-x64.exe">
    Installer (x64)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  The app is not code-signed yet.

  **macOS:** Run this command after downloading, then open the app normally:

  ```bash theme={"theme":"vesper"}
  xattr -cr /Applications/Monocle\ Studio.app
  ```

  **Windows:** Click **More info > Run anyway** in the SmartScreen dialog.
</Warning>

## How it works

The desktop app runs the same Studio server as `monocle studio dev`, an AdonisJS HTTP server with DuckDB storage listening on `localhost:4200`. Your instrumented app sends OTLP data to that port, and the Studio UI renders it.

When you close the window, the app stays in the system tray and the OTLP endpoint keeps running. Click the tray icon to reopen the window, or right-click to quit entirely.

## System requirements

| Platform | Minimum version                                        |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| macOS    | 11 (Big Sur)                                           |
| Linux    | Ubuntu 20.04 / Fedora 38 / any distro with glibc 2.31+ |
| Windows  | 10 (64-bit)                                            |