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OpenWork Setup and First Run

1. What installation actually gives you​

The README points to:

  • desktop downloads,
  • GitHub releases,
  • source installation,
  • and an orchestrator CLI for non-desktop hosting.

That already tells you OpenWork is more than a single local app.

2. Host mode vs client mode​

PathBest when
Host modeYou want OpenWork to run the local stack for you
Client modeYou want to connect to an existing OpenCode server

This distinction is one of the most important onboarding concepts in the product.

3. What a successful first run looks like​

A good first run should prove:

  1. the desktop app launches,
  2. OpenCode is reachable,
  3. one session can be created,
  4. permission requests are understandable,
  5. one timeline or todo plan appears in the UI.

4. Source-build prerequisites are significant​

For source development, the README calls out:

  • Node and pnpm,
  • Bun,
  • Rust and Tauri,
  • OpenCode on PATH.

That is a good sign that the desktop product is a real engineering stack, not only a thin wrapper.

5. Practical first-run advice​

Start in host mode on a low-risk local workspace before you add remote workers or shared server connectivity.