Helmsman is a desktop app for macOS that runs your installed agent CLIs. It is in public beta: the download page holds the current build, with no invite and no account. Windows and Linux are coming soon.
Before you start
You need two things:
- macOS 13 Ventura or later, on Apple Silicon (M1 or later). The beta ships an Apple Silicon build only.
- An agent CLI, installed and signed in. Claude Code and Codex each work without the other installed. Codex requires version 0.153.4 or later. Helmsman runs your existing CLI; it does not bundle it. See Agent support for feature differences.
Getting the app
Helmsman is free to download during the public beta. The download page opens the
macOS build, a .dmg. No invite, no account. Open it, drag Helmsman to your Applications
folder, and open it. The build is signed and notarized by Apple, so Gatekeeper opens it without
a warning.
To check your download’s integrity yourself, and the signature and notarization, see Verify your download.
When a newer build ships, Helmsman offers it in-app from the titlebar chip, so you download here just once.
Windows and Linux
Coming soon. The download page offers no Windows or Linux build right now. A copy you installed earlier keeps working at its version, Windows on 0.12.0-beta.1 and Linux on 0.14.0-beta.1, and gets no updates until the builds return.
First launch
On first launch, sign in to Helmsman and choose your agent and project. Native CLI login and trust remain separate. See First run.
Staying local
Agent terminals run on your computer and connect to their own providers. Built-in AI helpers use the local model or cloud provider you select. See Agent support for API credential requirements and the security page for data handling.