Getting Started
Install Operon
Download and run Operon on macOS, Windows, or Linux.
Operon is a desktop app you download and install. There is no package manager to configure and nothing to build — you grab the installer for your operating system, run it, and open the app. This page covers getting it onto macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Note
Operon runs entirely on your machine. You do not need an account, an API key, or an internet connection to install it and start using it. An account is only needed later if you want cloud sync or team features.
Install in four steps
- 1
Pick your operating system
Operon ships builds for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Choose the download that matches the machine you code on. If you are unsure, macOS and Windows users almost always want the standard installer; Linux users can choose between an AppImage and a .deb package (see the Linux section below).
- 2
Download the installer
Get the latest installer from the Operon website. Each release publishes one artifact per platform. Save it somewhere you can find it, like your Downloads folder.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the downloaded file and follow the prompts. On Windows this is a standard setup wizard; on macOS you drag the app into Applications; on Linux you make the AppImage executable and run it, or install the .deb through your package tooling.
- 4
Open Operon
Launch the app the way you launch any other app on your system. The first time it opens, Operon walks you through a short first-run flow — detecting your AI tools and letting you choose local mode or an account.
macOS
Download the macOS build, open it, and drag Operon into your Applications folder. Then launch it from Applications or Spotlight. Once installed, Operon can keep itself up to date automatically when new releases ship.
Important
macOS may warn that Operon is from an unidentified developer and refuse to open it on the first try. This is Gatekeeper being cautious about apps downloaded from the internet, not a sign of a problem. To proceed: open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, scroll to the Security section, and click Open Anyway next to the Operon message. Alternatively, right-click (or Control-click) the app in Finder and choose Open, then confirm in the dialog. You only need to do this once.
Windows
Download the Windows installer and run it. It is a standard setup wizard — accept the defaults unless you have a reason not to, and Operon will be added to your Start menu when it finishes. Launch it from there or from the desktop shortcut. Windows builds update themselves automatically once installed.
Note
If Windows SmartScreen shows a "Windows protected your PC" prompt, click More info and then Run anyway. This can appear for newer apps that have not yet built up download reputation.
Linux
Linux users have two options. The AppImage is the simplest: it is a single self-contained file that runs directly with no installation, and it can update itself in place. A .deb package is also available for manual download if you prefer to install through your distribution.
| Format | How to run it | Auto-updates |
|---|---|---|
| AppImage | Make the file executable, then run it directly — no install step. | Yes |
| .deb package | Download and install it through your usual package tooling. | No — download new versions manually |
If you are not sure which to pick, use the AppImage: it needs no setup and keeps itself current. Choose the .deb only if you specifically want it managed by your package system.
Keeping Operon up to date
On macOS, Windows, and the Linux AppImage, Operon checks for new releases shortly after launch and can download and apply updates for you — you will see a prompt when one is ready. The Linux .deb is the exception: it is manual-download only, so you update it by grabbing the newer package yourself. You can also check for updates on demand from within the app.