backchannel
Windows x64
For Windows 10 or later on 64-bit Intel or AMD processors.
- Download
Backchannel-windows-x64-v0.3.8.zip. - Unzip it and run
Backchannel.exe. - If SmartScreen appears, choose More info, then Run anyway.
Release v0.3.8
Your self-hosted models, first-class.
Every model your OpenAI-compatible endpoints serve now shows by its own name in the pickers, you can register more than one endpoint, and Privacy First keeps the agents running when they point at a server on your own machine or LAN.
Download Backchannel v0.3.8
These unsigned open-source builds are delivered through the authenticated Backchannel portal. An approved Backchannel account is required; no GitHub identity or repository membership is required.
The Windows and Linux bundles include ffmpeg. On macOS, voice calibration and compressed audio imports still need ffmpeg on PATH.
macOS Apple Silicon
For Apple Silicon Macs. Intel macOS builds are not included in this release.
- Download
Backchannel-macos-arm64-v0.3.8.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-v0.3.8.tar.gz. - Extract it with
tar -xzf Backchannel-linux-x64-v0.3.8.tar.gz. - Run
Backchannel/Backchannel.
What changed
v0.3.8 is a follow-up to v0.3.7 for anyone running the analysis agents on their own hardware.
Every self-hosted model, by name
Each model an OpenAI-compatible endpoint serves becomes a real registry entry, so a lab-hosted model shows under its endpoint's name next to Gemini and OpenAI instead of hiding behind one opaque placeholder. Ollama tags like llama3.1:8b keep their colons intact.
More than one endpoint
Register any number of OpenAI-compatible servers -- Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM, LiteLLM -- from the new Self-Hosted Models card in Admin -> API Keys. Connect & list models reads the server's model list so wire names are never typed by hand, and each endpoint has its own test, enable, and remove controls.
Privacy First judges destination
With Privacy First on, an endpoint on loopback, a private network, or a LAN hostname keeps the analysis agents running; a public host is still treated as cloud and blocked. A fully local setup -- local ONNX transcription plus a self-hosted model -- now runs with the switch on. Only interim live captions remain cloud-only.
First-run notes
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Release access | Use the email and password for your approved Backchannel recipient account. |
| Provider key | Follow the guided setup on first launch, or add a key later in Admin -> API Keys. Calls will not start until the transcription model has a usable credential. |
| Voice calibration | Works out of the box on Windows and Linux. On macOS, install ffmpeg and make sure it is on PATH before enrolling your voice. |
| Upgrading | Quit the old version from the tray before starting the new one. Session data is stored per-user and shared by every version. A previously configured OpenAI-compatible endpoint is migrated automatically on first launch. The Admin About tab shows a what's-new notice after upgrading. |
| Desktop launch | Backchannel opens a dedicated local app window in your default browser when it supports app windows, otherwise it uses a standard browser tab. It remains available from the system tray or menu bar. |
| Docker | Check out the v0.3.8 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.