Getting Started

Mac App

The desktop app runs the same local server and studio as the npm package, in a Mac window with a menu bar icon. It is built for Apple Silicon and is signed and notarized by Apple.

Install

  1. Open the desktop releases and download ima2-<version>-mac-arm64.dmg from the newest ima2 Desktop release.
  2. Open the DMG and drag ima2 into Applications.
  3. Launch ima2. The window shows the local server starting, then opens the studio.
  4. Pick a provider on the welcome screen. ChatGPT is the simplest: a browser sign-in, no API key.
Checksums. Each release attaches SHA256SUMS.txt. Compare it with shasum -a 256 ima2-<version>-mac-arm64.dmg.

Requirements

  • macOS on Apple Silicon. On an Intel Mac, Windows or Linux, use the install script or npm.
  • No separate Node.js install: the app runs the server on its bundled runtime.

Updates

The app checks for new desktop releases and asks before restarting to install one. You can also run Check for Updates… from the app menu or the menu bar icon, or turn automatic downloads off in Settings.

Settings

Settings (⌘,) cover the server port, opening at login, starting hidden, menu-bar-only mode, keeping the server running when the window closes, verbose server logging and the config directory.

Shared with the CLI

The app uses the same config directory as an npm install (~/.ima2 by default), so history, sign-ins and settings are shared. If an ima2 server is already running on the configured port, the app attaches to it instead of starting a second one.