Overview

The Cosine Desktop app is a native client for the same core Cosine workflow you use in Cloud, but it lives on your machine. It gives you a desktop workspace for managing sessions, linked local projects, and reviews in one place.

Cosine Desktop gives direct access to local files and local development workflows. You can link project folders on your machine, ask Cosine to make changes, run builds and related commands, and review the results from the same app.

What You Can Do

Work directly on local project folders that live on your machine
Keep sessions and project history in one desktop workspace so you can return to previous threads and pick up where you left off
Review plans, timelines, and code diffs in one place while a task is running
Open built-in browser and terminal panels to inspect running apps, runtime output, and build results without leaving Desktop
Adjust model, reasoning, and automation settings for the current task from inside the app
Manage linked projects and workspaces instead of reconnecting context every time you switch codebases
Use environment and build workflows directly from Desktop when you need to prepare, run, or inspect local development setups
Track agent activity in side panels so you can see context, task progress, and supporting details as work happens

Quick start

Before you start

Download and install Cosine Desktop from cosine.sh/desktop
A Cosine account you can sign in with
A local project folder or repository to add as a workspace in Desktop
Permission to let Cosine read and write to that project

Desktop permissions

Some Desktop features can interact directly with your computer, beyond editing files in a repository. If you want to fully use these workflows, Desktop may need additional operating-system permissions.

Depending on your platform, that can include:

Accessibility permissions
Screen Recording permissions

These permissions allow Desktop to observe and control the parts of your machine needed for these tasks.

Quick start in 5 steps

Open Desktop and sign in

Launch Cosine Desktop on your machine and complete the sign-in flow when prompted so the app can connect to your Cosine account.
Link a local project

Add the repository or workspace you want Cosine to work on. Choose the local folder on your machine and confirm the link.
Start a new task

Open a new session and describe what you want Cosine to do. Keep the request concrete: explain the bug, feature, or change and include any acceptance criteria.
Review the work in the Desktop app

Use the session timeline, plan review, diffs, and side panels to see what Cosine is doing and inspect the result.
Iterate until it is ready

Ask follow-up questions, refine the task, and continue until the changes are ready to merge.

Good first tasks

Fix a small UI bug in a local project
Add a focused test for an existing function
Refactor a small utility and verify the behavior still holds

How the Desktop App Fits In

Desktop is the native app version of the same core Cosine workflow you use in Cloud. The difference is that Desktop runs on your machine, so it can work directly with local projects and local development tools.

local files and linked workspaces
native drag-and-drop from your machine
microphone access for voice input
in-app updates and restart flows
desktop windowing and app-level controls