# Mac desktop app

> **This is a beta.** Behavior and screens may change without notice.

You can use the same capabilities as the web app from a Mac desktop app. It is a thin shell that opens the production site, so screen updates follow web deployments. Distribution is **macOS only** (Windows is not supported yet).

## Get it and sign in

- During the beta, we **send the installer by email**. Use **Request the Mac beta** on the top page to register your email address, and we will send you a download link.
- After installing, launch from the Dock and sign in with the same account as the web app.

## Handoff from the browser

When you open the **console** (`/console`) or **sign-in / auth** (`/auth`) in a browser and the desktop app is installed, a full-screen prompt titled **Open in the desktop app** appears.

- **Open on desktop** — Opens the same screen in the desktop app. While the prompt is showing, the browser does not stack the work UI on top (so you do not see the same screen twice in browser and desktop).
- **Continue in browser** — Keep using the web app in this browser. After you choose this, the prompt does not appear again (this screen is the only web entry to open the desktop app, so launch the app from the Dock or elsewhere).

The first time, after showing the prompt, the app **tries to open automatically once per browser tab**. Even if routing sends you to the sign-in page, only the URL you opened first is handed off.

The prompt does not appear **inside** the desktop app. It is not shown for the landing page or usage guide (`/docs`) URLs.

## Shared links stay https

URLs you share in Slack, MCP, or copy from the product remain `https://pmonrails.com/...`. Handoff to the desktop app happens only when you open the console or an auth URL in your own browser.

## Menu bar and quick filing

Closing the window does not quit the app; it stays in the menu bar.

- **Command+Shift+D** (configurable) — Opens a small window to file one requirement card for your recent project. If you are not signed in, the sign-in screen opens.
- **Quit** — Use Quit in the menu bar or Cmd+Q.

## Notifications

While the app is running, new unread notifications appear in the macOS Notification Center and the Dock icon shows a count. Clicking a notification brings the app forward and opens the relevant screen. Push while the app is not running is not supported (email, digests, and the rest of the web notification paths work as before).

## Test evidence

On the [Testing](https://pmonrails.com/en/docs/test-results.md) screen, when you record a result manually you can attach evidence images and video by file picker or **clipboard paste** (Cmd+V).

## Deep link to a task

When the desktop app receives `pmr://task/<task id>`, it comes to the front and opens that task's detail (for jumps from notifications or external tools; separate from https share URLs).

## Offline

When the network is unavailable, you only see that the connection failed and a retry control. There is no offline viewing or editing.

## Updates

When a newer shell build is available, the console shows a download link. Product behaviour still follows web deployments.

## Next steps

- First-time use → [Quick start](https://pmonrails.com/en/docs/quickstart.md)
- How notifications arrive → [Notifications and Slack](https://pmonrails.com/en/docs/notifications.md)

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https://pmonrails.com/en/docs/desktop