Ways to use Oktapod

The web app, phone apps, desktop apps, messaging channels, and the command line all reach the same agent.

Oktapod is one agent. Every app below is a window onto it, so a chat started on your phone can be approved in the browser and continued from the terminal.

#Web app

The web app is served by your own Oktapod. It opens after setup, and you can open it again at any time from the computer that runs Oktapod:

oktapod ui --open

This opens your browser and hands it the private access key once. To use another browser, run oktapod ui to print the address and key, or copy the key from Settings → Advanced → Access in a browser that is already unlocked.

The sidebar has four everyday pages:

• Chat for conversations. See Chat.
• Goals & tasks for longer work. See Goals, tasks, and schedules.
• Schedules for reminders and recurring work.
• Connections for the apps Oktapod may use. See Connect your apps.

Settings sits at the bottom of the sidebar and opens over the current page, so your conversation and draft stay put. It has three sections:

• General: personality, theme, accent color, avatar, the page that opens first, and Install Oktapod.
• Apps & permissions: models, saved context (memory), meetings, files and media, messaging channels, devices, approvals, watches, the agent team, and skills.
• Advanced: access key, system setup, system health, work receipts, usage, chat history, and support tools.

On wide screens, a side panel next to the chat shows recent Chats, current Goals, and Agents at work. Close it with its X; the history button in the toolbar opens it again.

#Install it like an app

Open Settings → General → Install Oktapod. If the browser supports installation, this opens its installer; otherwise it shows the steps for your browser. On iPhone or iPad, open the HTTPS address in Safari and choose Share → Add to Home Screen. Installing does not make your agent public; it uses the same private address and key.

#Notifications

Browser alerts are off until you ask for them. Open the bell and choose Turn on device alerts. Updates still appear inside the app when alerts are off.

#Invite a friend

Choose Invite at the top right, then Copy invite link. This copies a short message and a link to oktapod.ai. On a phone, in the web app or the iPhone and Android apps, open the menu and choose Invite a friend to use the system share sheet. An invite has no code or reward: Oktapod is free, and your friend uses their own AI account.

#iPhone and Android apps

The native apps are for chatting with your agent from your phone:

• Chat with searchable history, and start new conversations.
• Approve or decline requests with the same cards as the web app.
• Tap + to take a photo or attach photos, videos, or files, up to four per message (20 MB each, 40 MB total). The apps only see the items you pick.
• Dictate into the message box with the microphone.
• Long-press a message to reply, copy, select, share, or react, and see Oktapod's reactions.
• Get notifications for agent activity such as scheduled announcements. The lock-screen text is generic; message content never goes through the push service.
• Edit your agent's personality and name.

To install them and connect your phone, see Phone apps.

The iPhone app needs iOS 17 or later. Your agent keeps working when the phone app is closed. The phone apps are newer than the web app and are still experimental; see What is supported.

#Mac app

On a Mac, the Oktapod app installs and starts the agent for you. The first run asks one question: where Oktapod should be reachable.

• This Mac only.
• Private Tailscale devices, so your phone and other computers can reach it.
• An existing HTTPS address, when Oktapod already runs somewhere else.

It then connects your AI account in the same window and opens chat. Later launches show a status dashboard instead of the setup.

The Mac app also holds macOS permissions for Oktapod, such as Contacts and access to note folders in Documents, Desktop, or Downloads. macOS asks once, the first time Oktapod needs them. Mac releases require Apple Silicon.

#Windows and Linux setup app

The Windows setup (EXE) and the Linux setup (DEB or AppImage, for x64 and ARM64) install Oktapod as a per-user service, connect your AI account, and open chat in your browser. Run the setup app again to repair an existing install.

#Messaging channels

Once a channel is connected, you can message Oktapod the way you message people. Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and Slack are the main supported channels; Signal and others need extra software on the host. Each channel keeps its own conversation, and new senders must be approved before Oktapod answers them. See Messaging channels.

#The oktapod command

The command line is installed with Oktapod. It is useful on servers without a screen, for scripts, and for quick checks:

oktapod chat "What is on my calendar today?"
oktapod status
oktapod checkup

See Using the CLI.