Download & Build

Workstreams is primarily a macOS desktop app. You do not need to install the CLI for normal use.

Download the app

Download the latest release from GitHub:

• Latest Workstreams release
• macOS DMGs are published for Apple Silicon (arm64) and Intel (x64)
• The app includes an in-app updater, so future releases can be installed from inside Workstreams

Installation steps

1. Open the .dmg file — Find the downloaded Workstreams-darwin-arm64.dmg (or x64) in your Downloads folder and double-click to open.

2. Drag to Applications — Drag the Workstreams icon into the Applications folder.

3. Remove quarantine flag — Since the app isn't signed with an Apple certificate yet, macOS will block it. Run this command to allow it:

   xattr -cr /Applications/Workstreams.app

   Why is this needed? When you download a DMG from the internet, macOS tags every file with a hidden com.apple.quarantine flag. Gatekeeper checks for an Apple Developer certificate, and since this build isn't signed, it shows a misleading "app is damaged" error. xattr -cr strips that quarantine flag.

4. Launch Workstreams — Open the app from Applications. You're all set!

What you need

• macOS
• Git installed locally
• For AI-assisted flows, install claude or codex on your PATH
• Terminal is always available for manual work even without an agent binary

Build from source

If you want to run the desktop app from source:

git clone https://github.com/workstream-labs/workstreams.git
cd workstreams/apps/desktop
bash install.sh
./scripts/code.sh

The desktop build expects Node.js 22 and installs the Electron dependencies for you.

Where the CLI fits

The terminal workflow still exists in the repository under apps/cli, but this website is intentionally desktop-first. If you only want to use Workstreams as intended, install the app and keep the CLI as implementation detail.

Next Steps

• Quickstart
• Workstreams & Switching