> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.workshop.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Workshop Desktop

> Full-stack development on your machine — any language, any framework, local AI models, and direct file system access.

Workshop Desktop is the locally installed version of Workshop. It runs on your machine, works with your file system, and supports any programming language or framework. There are no stack constraints — if it runs on your computer, Workshop Desktop can build it.

## Key Capabilities

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Any tech stack" icon="code">
    Python, JavaScript, Rust, Go, Swift, C++ — whatever your project needs. Workshop Desktop doesn't limit you to a preset list of languages or frameworks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local AI models" icon="microchip">
    Run open-weight models on your own hardware to power the Workshop agent — free, private, and offline. No API costs while building and iterating.
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP servers" icon="plug">
    Extend the agent with Model Context Protocol servers — connect to databases, APIs, and custom tools through a standardized interface.
  </Card>

  <Card title="One-click publish" icon="rocket">
    Deploy apps to Workshop's hosting infrastructure with a single click — same as Cloud. Or deploy to your own platform (Vercel, AWS, Docker) if you prefer.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How It Works

When you open Workshop Desktop, describe what you want to build in plain language. Workshop creates the project structure, writes code, installs dependencies, and runs your application — all on your machine.

Your project files live in a standard directory you choose. You can open them in any editor, run them from any terminal, and use them with any other tool in your workflow.

### Preview while you build

Workshop Desktop includes a live preview pane that shows your running app as it's being built — the same experience as Workshop Cloud. When Workshop detects you're building something visual, the preview opens automatically and stays synced with your latest code.

## Privacy and Security

Your code never leaves your machine. All file operations, code execution, and project management happen locally. When you use cloud AI models (Claude, GPT, Gemini), your prompts go to those providers — but your project files stay local.

With local AI models, even your prompts stay on your machine. Nothing is transmitted anywhere.

## What Makes Desktop Different from Cloud

|                 | Workshop Cloud                | Workshop Desktop                                  |
| --------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Environment** | Runs in the cloud             | Installed on your machine                         |
| **Tech stacks** | Web App, Streamlit, Anything  | Any language, any framework                       |
| **File access** | Cloud project files           | Full local file system                            |
| **AI models**   | Cloud models                  | Cloud models + local models                       |
| **MCP servers** | Not available                 | Full MCP support                                  |
| **Publishing**  | One-click to Workshop hosting | One-click to Workshop hosting, or deploy anywhere |
| **Setup**       | Zero — open browser and start | Download and install                              |

Workshop Cloud is optimized for data apps with a fast build-preview-publish loop. Workshop Desktop is for projects that need full-stack flexibility, local file system access, or local AI models.

## Download Workshop Desktop

Workshop Desktop is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="macOS" icon="apple" href="https://workshop.ai/download">
    Apple Silicon and Intel supported.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Windows" icon="windows" href="https://workshop.ai/download">
    Windows 10 and later.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Linux" icon="linux" href="https://workshop.ai/download">
    AppImage and .deb packages.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Desktop Quickstart" icon="bolt" href="/getting-started/desktop-quickstart">
    Install Workshop Desktop and build your first project.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local AI Models" icon="microchip" href="/workshop-desktop/local-models">
    Power the agent with open-weight models on your own hardware.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Publishing" icon="rocket" href="/workshop-desktop/publishing">
    Deploy and share your apps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP Servers" icon="plug" href="/workshop-desktop/mcp-servers">
    Extend your agent with Model Context Protocol servers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub Integration" icon="code-branch" href="/workshop-desktop/github-integration">
    Connect your projects to GitHub repositories.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sharing and Teams" icon="users" href="/workshop-desktop/sharing-and-teams">
    Share conversations and collaborate as a team.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>