Install and first run

Supported systems

macOS

Apple Silicon (arm64) only. Intel Macs are not supported.

Windows

Windows 10 or later, x64 installer.

Linux

x86_64 AppImage. No installation; make it executable and run it.

Public builds are currently not code-signed or notarised. On macOS you clear the quarantine flag before the first launch; on Windows SmartScreen shows a warning. The steps for each system are on the download page.

On first launch

The meeting plugin and the local indexer plugin are installed from the official marketplace on first run. The start screen shows their progress.

Before you can chat, connect a model. In Settings → Model, add a provider, save each card, then pick a model in the model chooser. Models and sign-in has the details.

Chat mode and work mode

Chat mode is a single tile. Work mode splits the window into up to four tiles, each running a different conversation at the same time. The work panel beside a tile holds Files, Preview, Browser, Terminal, Sub-agents and Side chat.

Where your data lives

Most of what Ave keeps is under ~/.ave in your home folder; only the app settings file sits in Electron’s user-data folder. Set the AVE_HOME environment variable to use another location. Data and updates explains the layout.