# Desktop app

> Querylab.io Desktop is the same IDE as app.querylab.io packaged as a native app for macOS and Windows. It exists for two things the browser can't do: keep your Google tokens in the OS keychain (or reuse the gcloud credentials already on your machine) and talk to local AI CLI tools. Everything else, including your tabs, settings, and queries, works the same as on the web.

Source: https://docs.querylab.io/desktop-app/

## Download and install

- **macOS:** download from [querylab.io/desktop](https://querylab.io/desktop). The app runs on macOS 10.15 or later on Apple Silicon. Open the `.dmg` and drag **Querylab.io** to Applications.
- **Windows:** install **Querylab.io IDE** from the [Microsoft Store](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n01901076cm?cid=docs). The app runs on 64-bit Windows 10 (version 1903) or later and Windows 11.

A Linux build is coming.

## First launch

The app opens on **Step 1 of 2 · Authentication** with two cards: **Local gcloud (ADC)** and **Google OAuth**. Which one to pick, and what each does, is on [Connecting to BigQuery](https://docs.querylab.io/getting-started/connecting-to-bigquery/#desktop-app); the sign-in screens and scopes are on [Authentication](https://docs.querylab.io/getting-started/authentication/#desktop-app). The gcloud route in detail: [Use existing gcloud auth](https://docs.querylab.io/desktop-app/gcloud-auth/).

## Updates

On a Mac the app updates itself. When a new version is out, a bar appears at the top of the window — click **Install update** and the app restarts on the new version. Close the bar to postpone; it comes back later. To check by hand, use **Check for Updates...** in the Querylab.io menu.

On Windows the Microsoft Store installs updates, the same way it updates your other Store apps.

## What's different from the web app

|                                      | Desktop                                                          | Web                              |
| ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Google token                         | OS keychain, or gcloud's own credential file                     | Encrypted on Querylab.io servers |
| Sign-in without a browser round-trip | Yes, with local gcloud (ADC)                                     | No                               |
| Prism AI providers                   | Querylab.io Cloud, your own API keys (BYOK), local CLI tools     | Querylab.io Cloud                |
| Menu bar and app shortcuts           | Native, see [Native experience](https://docs.querylab.io/desktop-app/native-experience/) | Browser's                        |

Details on token storage: [Local credentials](https://docs.querylab.io/desktop-app/local-credentials/). CLI tools: [CLI integration](https://docs.querylab.io/prism-ai/cli-integration/). Connecting external AI tools: [Local MCP server](https://docs.querylab.io/desktop-app/local-mcp-server/). Running `bq` or the python client against the app's local engine: [Local BigQuery API](https://docs.querylab.io/desktop-app/local-bigquery-api/).