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

# Installation

> Download and install Reliant on macOS, Linux, and Windows

Get Reliant up and running on your system.

## System Requirements

### Hardware

* **RAM**: Minimum 8GB, recommended 16GB+
* **Storage**: At least 4GB free
* **Processor**: Intel x86-64, Apple Silicon, or ARM64

### Operating System

| Platform    | Minimum          | Recommended                  |
| ----------- | ---------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **macOS**   | 11.0 (Big Sur)   | 13.0+ (Ventura)              |
| **Linux**   | x86\_64 or ARM64 | AppImage format              |
| **Windows** | Windows 10       | Windows 10/11 (x64 or ARM64) |

### Additional Requirements

* **Internet**: Required for AI features
* **AI Provider Authentication**: Required (API key or OAuth login, depending on provider — see [Quick Start](/getting-started/quick-start))
* **Git**: Optional but recommended

## Install via Homebrew (macOS/Linux)

The easiest way to install Reliant on **macOS and Linux** is via Homebrew.

```bash theme={null}
brew install --cask reliant-labs/reliant/reliant
```

Or add the tap first, then install:

```bash theme={null}
brew tap reliant-labs/reliant
brew install --cask reliant
```

Homebrew automatically downloads the correct version for your Mac (Apple Silicon or Intel).

> Homebrew must be installed first. Visit [brew.sh](https://brew.sh) if you don't have it.

## Direct Download

| Platform    | Architecture  | Download                                                                                                                             |
| ----------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **macOS**   | Apple Silicon | [Download .dmg](https://downloads.reliantlabs.io/Reliant-latest-mac-arm64.dmg?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=installation)              |
| **macOS**   | Intel         | [Download .dmg](https://downloads.reliantlabs.io/Reliant-latest-mac-x64.dmg?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=installation)                |
| **Windows** | x64           | [Download .exe](https://downloads.reliantlabs.io/Reliant-latest-win-x64.exe?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=installation)                |
| **Windows** | ARM64         | [Download .exe](https://downloads.reliantlabs.io/Reliant-latest-win-arm64.exe?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=installation)              |
| **Linux**   | x86\_64       | [Download .AppImage](https://downloads.reliantlabs.io/Reliant-latest-linux-x86_64.AppImage?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=installation) |
| **Linux**   | ARM64         | [Download .AppImage](https://downloads.reliantlabs.io/Reliant-latest-linux-arm64.AppImage?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=installation)  |

> **Not sure which Mac?** Check Apple menu → About This Mac → Chip

**Linux users**: After downloading, make the AppImage executable and run it:

```bash theme={null}
chmod +x Reliant-latest-linux-*.AppImage
./Reliant-latest-linux-*.AppImage
```

## Build from Source

Reliant is [open source on GitHub](https://github.com/reliant-labs/reliant). You can build the full Electron desktop app or just the Go backend CLI.

### Prerequisites

* **Go** 1.25+ (see `go.mod`)
* **Node.js** 18+
* **Make**

### Electron Desktop App

Clone and run the full desktop application with hot reload:

```bash theme={null}
git clone https://github.com/reliant-labs/reliant.git
cd reliant
npm install
make generate
npm run dev
```

To create a production build:

```bash theme={null}
npm run build
```

### Go CLI Only

If you only need the backend CLI (no Electron/UI):

```bash theme={null}
git clone https://github.com/reliant-labs/reliant.git
cd reliant
make generate
make build
```

The binary is output to `dist/reliant`. Move it somewhere on your `$PATH`:

```bash theme={null}
sudo mv dist/reliant /usr/local/bin/reliant
```

Or build directly with `go install`:

```bash theme={null}
go install github.com/reliant-labs/reliant/cmd/reliant@latest
```

Either way the binary targets Reliant's hosted platform by default, so it works
with no flags and no environment:

```bash theme={null}
reliant daemon start --token
```

### Pointing at your own stack

Self-hosting, or running against a local dev stack? Override the server, and the
gateway when it isn't on the same host:

```bash theme={null}
reliant daemon start --server http://localhost:8080 --gateway http://localhost:29190
```

Or set them once in your shell:

```bash theme={null}
export RELIANT_SERVER_URL=http://localhost:8080
export RELIANT_GATEWAY_URL=http://localhost:29190
```

<Note>
  The gateway is a **separate process** from the API server — it is the only one
  that serves the daemon's connection stream. On a cloud host the daemon derives
  the gateway from the server automatically; on localhost it cannot guess the
  port, so set `--gateway` (or `RELIANT_GATEWAY_URL`) explicitly. Without it the
  daemon dials the API server and fails with a 404.
</Note>

> See [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/reliant-labs/reliant/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) for the full development setup guide.

## Post-Installation

1. **Launch Reliant** from Applications (macOS), Start Menu (Windows), or run the AppImage (Linux)
2. **Open a project folder** or create a new one
3. **Configure your API key** — see [Quick Start](/getting-started/quick-start)

## Updating

### Via Homebrew

```bash theme={null}
brew upgrade --cask reliant
```

### Via Source

```bash theme={null}
cd reliant
git pull
npm install
npm run dev   # or: make build
```

### Manual

Go to **Reliant → Check for Updates**, or download and install the latest version over your existing installation.

## Uninstalling

### Homebrew

```bash theme={null}
brew uninstall --cask reliant

# Also remove settings:
brew uninstall --cask reliant --zap
```

### macOS Manual

1. Quit Reliant
2. Drag from Applications to Trash
3. Remove settings (optional):

```bash theme={null}
rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/reliant
rm -rf ~/Library/Logs/Reliant
```

### Windows

1. Quit Reliant
2. Settings → Apps → Installed Apps → Reliant → Uninstall
3. Remove settings (optional): Delete `%APPDATA%\Reliant`

### Linux

1. Quit Reliant
2. Delete the AppImage file
3. Remove settings (optional):

```bash theme={null}
rm -rf ~/.config/reliant
rm -rf ~/.local/share/reliant
```

Your projects and code remain untouched.

***

**Next**: [Quick Start](/getting-started/quick-start) — Configure your API key and start chatting