backchannel
Windows x64
For Windows 10 or later on 64-bit Intel or AMD processors.
- Download
Backchannel-windows-x64.zip. - Unzip it and run
Backchannel.exe. - If SmartScreen appears, choose More info, then Run anyway.
Release v0.2.1
A visible tray icon and safer upgrades
Backchannel v0.2.1 puts the waveform brand mark in the system tray and on the executables, keeps an older lingering instance from taking the shared database down during an upgrade, and returns the Linux tarball to the automated release pipeline.
Download Backchannel v0.2.1
These are unsigned open-source builds attached to the GitHub release. Downloads require authenticated access to the private repository; anonymous requests return 404. The first run includes the normal Windows SmartScreen or macOS Gatekeeper prompts.
macOS Apple Silicon
For Apple Silicon Macs. Intel macOS builds are not included in this release.
- Download
Backchannel-macos-arm64.zip. - Unzip it and move
Backchannel.appwherever you keep apps. - Right-click
Backchannel.appand choose Open the first time.
Linux x64
A portable bundle for 64-bit Intel or AMD Linux systems.
- Download
Backchannel-linux-x64.tar.gz. - Extract it with
tar -xzf Backchannel-linux-x64.tar.gz. - Run
Backchannel/Backchannel.
What changed
This patch release focuses on the desktop experience: recognizable icons, safe upgrades, and a complete automated release pipeline.
Brand icons everywhere
The system tray now shows the Backchannel waveform mark instead of a dark square that vanished on dark trays, and the Windows executable and macOS app bundle carry the same icon.
Safe version handoffs
Each instance now stops only the database server it started. Quitting an older version that lingered in the tray can no longer pull the database out from under the version you just launched.
Automated Linux releases
The release workflow now archives the Linux bundle inside its workspace, so all three platform assets attach to the GitHub release automatically on every tag.
First-run notes
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Provider key | Add a Gemini key in Admin -> API Keys after launch. Add OpenAI only if you route agents to OpenAI. |
| Upgrading | Quit the old version from the tray before starting the new one. Session data is stored per-user and is shared by every version. |
| Desktop launch | Backchannel opens a browser at a local localhost address and remains available from the system tray or menu bar. |
| Linux data location | The portable Linux bundle stores per-user data in ~/.local/share/backchannel. |
| Audio imports | WAV, FLAC, and OGG work out of the box. MP3 and M4A imports need ffmpeg on your PATH. |
| Docker | Check out the v0.2.1 source tag and rebuild Compose to run the same release through containers. |
Start with the desktop app or self-host the stack
Both paths run Backchannel on your machine. Choose the desktop bundle for the fastest start, or Compose for maximum control.