Desktop App, Cortex for macOS, Windows & Linux
The Habits Cortex Desktop App is a native macOS, Windows, and Linux application built with Tauri. It bundles Cortex so you can run habits fully offline without a terminal or Node.js.
What it is
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Offline execution | Run habits without internet or a server |
| Native OS integration | Keychain, notifications, system settings |
| Habit library | Browse, import, and run habits from a local library |
| Mirror | Receive habits P2P from another device (Mirror) |
| Visual runner | Built-in habit viewer and form runner |
| Auto-update | Stays current via GitHub Releases |
Supported platforms
| Platform | Architecture | Status |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Apple Silicon (arm64) | Available |
| macOS | Intel (x64) | Available |
| Windows | x64 | Available |
| Linux | x64 | Available |
Download
→ Download the Cortex Desktop App
When to use the Desktop App vs. Cortex Server
| Scenario | Desktop App | Cortex Server |
|---|---|---|
| Running habits on your own machine | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline / no internet | ✓ | ✓ (self-hosted) |
| Shared team server | , | ✓ |
| CI/CD pipelines | , | ✓ |
| Native OS features (keychain, notifications) | ✓ | , |
Relation to other tools
| Tool | Relation |
|---|---|
| Cortex Server | Same runtime, packaged as a native app |
| Mobile App | Same Tauri codebase, compiled for iOS/Android |
| Mirror | Desktop App includes a built-in Mirror receiver |
| Base | Design habits in Base, run them in the Desktop App |