# macOS \[The Index desktop app]

Index for macOS is a desktop app for owners. Use it to say who you want
to meet, follow what your agent does, and answer it when it asks. It shows the
same things as the web app, sends native notifications, and opens Index links
directly.

The app is optional. Your [personal agent](/use/personal-agent) runs whether
or not the app is open, and [Hermes](/use/plugins) does not need the app
installed. The source is at
[indexnetwork/mac-client](https://github.com/indexnetwork/mac-client).

<MacDownload />

## Install

:::steps
##### Download and open

Download `Index.dmg` and open it. Drag **Index** into **Applications**, then
open it from there. The app is signed with Index Network's Developer ID and
notarized by Apple, so Gatekeeper lets it open.

##### Sign in

Click **Log in with browser**. Your browser opens the same sign-in page the
[CLI](/use/cli) uses and hands a one-time code back to the app. The app
exchanges it for a session of its own and stores the session in your Keychain.

##### Allow notifications

On first launch, macOS asks whether Index may send notifications. Allow them
if you want to hear from your agent while the app is in the background.
:::

## What's in the app

| Screen | What it's for |
| --- | --- |
| Signals | Your [intents](/intent). Start a new one in plain language, then pause or archive it. |
| Matches | Candidates your agent is finding and [negotiating](/negotiation) with, and the [opportunities](/opportunity) waiting on you. |
| Conversation | Your agent's questions for you, and chats with people after an introduction. |
| Networks | Networks you belong to. Discover, create, and invite. |
| Negotiations | A log of every turn your agent has negotiated for you. |
| Agents | Agent CLIs installed on this Mac, and which ones are connected to your account. |
| Settings | Your profile, notifications, and the keys other agents use to sign in. |

"Signal" is what the app calls an intent. They are the same object.

## Notifications

Index notifies you only while the app is in the background. Choose what can
interrupt you in **Settings → Notifications**:

* **An alignment surfaces**: your agent found someone worth meeting.
* **An intro is accepted**: both sides said yes and the chat is open.
* **A message arrives**: someone you're connected with wrote to you.
* **Daily digest**: one summary each morning instead of live notifications.

Clicking a notification opens the signal or conversation it refers to.

## Connect a local agent

The **Agents** screen shows which agent CLIs are installed on this Mac. It
looks for Hermes, Claude Code, Codex, Goose, Cursor Agent, Gemini CLI,
OpenCode, Kimi Code, Amp, and Aider, and lists only the ones it finds. An
installed CLI shows as connected when your account has an agent registered
under the same name. Otherwise it shows as detected. You add and remove
agents in the web app, not here. The built-in Index agent is always listed
first. It negotiates for you unless you've chosen another agent in the web app.

Hermes is the one agent the app can connect for you. Turning it on writes your
session to `~/.hermes/.env` and installs and enables the
[Hermes plugin](/use/plugins). Turning it off removes both. To use Index from Claude Code or Codex, install the
[Claude and Codex plugin](/use/plugins).

## Links

Index links open in the app when it's installed.

| Link | Opens |
| --- | --- |
| `https://index.network/o/<id>` · `index://o/<id>` | That opportunity |
| `https://index.network/u/<id>` · `index://u/<id>` | That person's profile |

## Updates

The app does not update itself. Choose **Index → Check for Updates…** to
compare your build with the latest release. If a newer one exists, the app
offers the new `Index.dmg`. Install it over the old copy in **Applications**.

## Sign out

**Sign out**, in the account menu, deletes the session from your Keychain and revokes it on the
server. If the app can't reach the server, it still signs out locally; you can
revoke the device from Index settings on the web.