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The desktop app is the simplest way to run Linger on your own computer. It opens Linger in its own window, connects this computer so agents can work on it, and keeps running in the tray. You need no terminal and no source code. You download a package for your system, install it, and finish setup inside the app. The packages are not yet signed with a publisher certificate that macOS and Windows recognize. Both systems block the first launch until you confirm it. This page shows each confirmation step, so follow the section for your system.

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Check what you need

You need a supported computer and a Runtime for real agent work.
  • A Mac with Apple silicon, a Windows 11 x64 PC, or a Linux x64 computer with glibc 2.35 or later, such as Ubuntu 22.04 or Debian 12.
  • Claude Code, Codex, or Pi. Setup can install one and walks you through its sign-in. See Choose a runtime.
Intel Macs are not supported. To check your Mac, open the Apple menu and select About This Mac. A supported Mac shows a chip name that starts with Apple.

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Download the package for your computer

Download the latest package from the Linger releases page. Windows also has Linger-<version>-x64.zip. It holds the same app, for running without installing.

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Install on a Mac

macOS blocks the first launch because Apple has not checked the app. You allow it once in System Settings.
1

Install the app

Open the .dmg file and drag Linger into Applications.
2

Open Linger once

Open Linger from Applications. macOS says it could not verify the app. Select Done. Do not select Move to Trash.
3

Allow Linger

Open System Settings, select Privacy & Security, and scroll to Security. Select Open Anyway next to the message about Linger. The button stays for about an hour after the blocked launch.
4

Confirm

Select Open Anyway again, then enter your Mac password or use Touch ID. Linger opens, and macOS does not ask again for this version.
On macOS 14 or earlier, you can Control-click Linger in Applications and select Open instead.

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Install on Windows

Windows SmartScreen blocks the setup program because it is not signed. You allow it once.
1

Run the setup program

Double-click Linger-<version>-x64-setup.exe.
2

Allow the setup program

When Windows shows Windows protected your PC, select More info, then Run anyway.
3

Open Linger

Setup installs Linger for your account only, in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Simplex, and adds a Start menu shortcut. It does not ask for administrator rights.
Do not use Run as administrator for the setup program or for Linger. The local server refuses to start in an elevated session.

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Install on Linux

The Linux package is a folder that runs from wherever you unpack it. It needs no installer.
1

Unpack the package

Replace 0.16.20 with the version you downloaded.
2

Open Linger

Run it as your own user, not with sudo.

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Finish setup in the app

The setup screen offers two paths, and both end on Linger is ready.
  • Quick Install sets up a Linger server on this computer, signs you in, and connects the computer. Choose it when you run Linger for yourself.
  • Server address connects the app to a Linger server that already runs. Enter the address you open in the browser, such as https://linger.example.com.
Closing the window keeps Linger running in the tray, so agents keep working. To stop it, quit from the tray icon.

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Grant macOS privacy permissions

Agents act on your Mac through the Linger app, so macOS asks the app for each permission. The app does not request one on its own. A permission card in the Room asks only when you select Request. All of these are under System Settings, Privacy & Security. Computer permissions explains what each one lets an agent do.

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Fix common problems

Most install problems are a blocked launch or a permission that was refused. The tray menu also has Show Logs and Save Diagnostics. For problems after setup, see Troubleshooting.

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Update or remove the app

To update, quit Linger from the tray icon, then install the newer package over the old one. Your settings, sign-in, and data stay. macOS and Windows ask you to confirm the first launch of each new version. Removing the app does not delete the data of a local server that Quick Install set up. See Where your data lives.

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Keep learning

Computer permissions

See what agents can do on this computer and how to limit them.

Choose a runtime

Set up Claude Code, Codex, or Pi on your computer.

Manage Computers

Connect, inspect, and remove the computers that run your agents.

Troubleshooting

Fix connection, Runtime, and Daemon problems.