Desktop app

The desktop app is the same InHive you use in the browser, in its own window. Chat, calls, boards, and settings are not a separate product. Builds exist for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Opening the app goes straight to that window — the rounded app icon stays on the Dock or taskbar. When you are not signed in, the window is the sign-in screen. Create a hive is on that screen too. The public website — the story and the plans — stays in the browser.

Install

Download the build for your computer from the desktop download page. The page offers the Mac, Windows, or Linux file that matches the computer you are using, and keeps the other builds on the page. Mac, Windows, and Linux are separate.

Mac: open the disk image and drag InHive to Applications.
Windows: run the setup file.
Linux: open the AppImage. That is the build that can update itself.

Updates

The window loads the live site, so boards, chat, and settings update when the website does. The app itself checks inhive.com for a new build of the Mac, Windows, or Linux app you installed, when you open it and again every three hours while it stays open. When one is ready, InHive asks you to restart. Restart now closes the app and opens the new build. If you choose later, the update installs the next time you quit. On a Mac, the red close button hides the window — quit from the InHive menu when you want the update to finish.

What you get

An app icon. Unread bell + chat counts show as a badge (Dock on Mac, taskbar where the OS allows). On a Mac, if banners appear but the icon stays empty, open System Settings → Notifications → InHive and turn on Badge App Icon. A new DM still counts while the window is in the background, even if that conversation is already open. Bring the window to the front to clear that conversation’s count.
Incoming-call, DM, and @mention banners come from InHive, not Chrome or Safari. They use the InHive app icon, not the sender’s photo (the website banner can show the photo). Each DM or @mention is its own banner; a live call ring still replaces itself. Turn those types on or off under Account → Notifications → Desktop. That column is only in this app. The website’s Browser column does not change it, and neither does the phone.
inhive:// links open this app (for example from a teammate or a local shortcut). Email links still open the website until Universal Links ship.
Continue with Apple or Google opens your browser, then hands you back to InHive. On a Mac that window closes when sign-in finishes. On Windows and Linux, close the browser tab once InHive is open. Connecting either from Account → Profile → Sign-in methods does the same. A link in a task, comment, or chat already opens in the browser — same idea.

You still need the network. The window loads the live site, so you are never on a stale copy.

What stays in the browser

Billing checkout on Stripe continues in the browser. Help in the avatar menu does too, so the app window stays on your hive.

Files you download (task chips, comment images, Documents) land in your system Downloads folder. The app does not open a second InHive window for a preview.

Calls

Mic and camera prompts are OS permission dialogs the first time you turn them on. Screen share is a separate permission — on a Mac that is Screen Recording, not camera or microphone.

The first time you share, macOS asks (and then shows a picker for which screen or window). If you previously declined, the call window says so and offers Open settings:

Mac: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording. Turn InHive on, then try Share screen again. If it still fails, quit and reopen InHive.
Windows: Settings → Privacy. Allow InHive to capture the screen, then try again.
Linux: allow screen sharing for InHive in your desktop settings (the exact name depends on the desktop).

A browser tab still uses that browser’s own share picker.

On a Mac, the red close button hides the window — InHive stays in the Dock and still shows banners and the unread badge. Quit InHive (Cmd+Q) when you want it fully off. A sleeping machine or a real quit still means email, not a phone push. Keep the app running (or a browser tab) for live rings.

If Phone delay is on, a direct message or @mention waits before it reaches the phone. Opening that chat, or clicking the banner, in this app during the wait keeps the phone quiet. Calls still ring right away. The wait is set under Account → Notifications.

Chat and calls · Notifications · Mobile companion · Get started