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

# Desktop Guide

> Use Arden for chat, areas, memory, automations, and settings.

## Run from source

Install once from the repository root:

```bash theme={null}
just install
```

Then start the server and desktop app in separate terminals:

```bash theme={null}
just server
just desktop
```

The app connects to `http://localhost:6877` by default. Start the server first.
See [Quickstart](/quickstart) for first-time setup.

## Connect

On first launch, enter:

* **Server URL**: usually `http://localhost:6877`
* **API key**: the one-time key printed by the server

The key stays on your device. Electron encrypts it with OS-backed storage when
available.

## Main surfaces

* **Home**: start a chat, handle requests, see agent activity, and open areas.
* **Area rooms**: see the current outcome and respond to the area's standing
  agent.
* **Chat**: watch responses, tools, background agents, and approvals as they
  happen.
* **Memory**: browse pages as files or a notebook, edit them, inspect records
  and links, and restore earlier versions.
* **Automations**: manage your automations, area agents, and Arden's system
  maintenance.
* **Settings**: configure models, integrations, tools, MCP servers, directives,
  notifications, and desktop preferences.

Settings use the same searchable, grouped layout across capabilities:

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ntrp/yXMP7sfCaHIwY_fB/images/settings-appearance.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=yXMP7sfCaHIwY_fB&q=85&s=f0ec8c63af7ee8d820db0d354002c006" alt="Appearance settings" width="2640" height="1700" data-path="images/settings-appearance.png" />

## Development checks

```bash theme={null}
bun run typecheck
bun test
bun run dist
```