Install Subshell Server

Install Subshell Server with the desktop setup assistant.

The desktop app is the recommended way to install the server on a machine with a graphical environment. It bundles the server binary and provides setup, update, and recovery controls.

Before you start

Choose the Linux or macOS Subshell Server download matching your machine. On Linux, the desktop app needs a graphical environment and WebKitGTK dependencies; use Install on Linux for a headless host.

Install and open the app

1. Open Subshell downloads and select the option to run the control plane.
2. Download the appropriate installer or application bundle.
3. Install and open Subshell Server.
4. Let the assistant prepare the bundled server, then follow any tmux installation or platform-permission instructions it reports.
5. Open the dashboard and complete the server's setup experience.

On macOS, grant the permissions needed for the folders where your agents will work. An existing running server may open the dashboard immediately.

Keep the server running

The server can run as a background service or under the desktop app's supervision. A service can continue after you close the app; an app-supervised server stops with its parent. Review Service and autostart before relying on unattended access.

Manage a running instance in Server Settings. The desktop assistant handles operations that need to work while the server is unavailable, including recovery, bundled updates, and reset.

Next steps

Follow Launch a subshell.

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