Command line

Install Executor on your machine. Keep your apps, accounts and data local.

The local server runs Executor on one machine for one person. It holds your accounts, runs your apps, and serves an MCP endpoint for your agents.

Install and start

Requires Node 24.14.0 or newer. Check that executor --version prints 2.0.0-beta.5 before starting. Supports macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, Linux on ARM64 and x64, and Windows on x64.

npm i -g executor@beta
executor --version
executor

executor starts the server and opens the dashboard in your browser. The package includes its runtime and dashboard; no source checkout or Bun install is needed.

If npm prints EBADENGINE, upgrade Node before installing again. npm can report a successful install while skipping the native runtime on an unsupported Node version. After upgrading, repeat the install command with --include=optional.

If executor --version still shows v1, your shell is finding an older install. Run type -a executor on macOS or Linux, or where.exe executor on Windows, to see which executable takes priority. Remove the old install with the package manager that installed it, then open a new terminal. For example, use bun remove -g executor for an old Bun install. This does not delete your data.

On first launch, Executor saves its API and encryption keys in macOS Keychain, Windows Credential Manager, or Linux Secret Service. Linux needs a persistent Secret Service such as GNOME Keyring. Unlock the credential store and allow Executor access when asked.

Command	Purpose
`executor`	Start the server and open the dashboard.
`executor serve`	Start without opening a browser.
`executor pair`	Print a new connection link for the running server.

Configure it

Variable	Purpose
`EXECUTOR_PORT`	Port, default `4312`.
`EXECUTOR_DATA_DIR`	Data directory, default `~/.executor/v2/cli`.
`EXECUTOR_BROWSER_ORIGIN`	Exact HTTPS origin for generated browser links.
`EXECUTOR_WEBHOOK_ORIGIN`	Exact HTTPS origin that receives webhooks.

For a new headless installation without an OS credential store, supply both EXECUTOR_API_KEY (at least 32 characters) and EXECUTOR_ENCRYPTION_KEY (exactly 64 hexadecimal characters) from a secret manager. Keep these same keys for every start. Executor does not save supplied keys. A directory keeps its chosen key source across upgrades.

Connect an agent

Use the dashboard’s Connect card to add the local MCP endpoint to your agent. See Add an MCP client for Claude Code, Cursor and Codex. Keep Executor running while the client is connected.

Back up and update

Back up the data directory, including installation.json, and its matching OS credential. The credential service is com.usefulsoftware.executor.v2; its account ID is in installation.json. Copying only the database to another machine is not enough to restore it. If you supplied keys, back them up in your secret manager.

Missing keys stop startup. Executor will not generate replacements for an existing installation. Restore the original keys to recover access.

Run the install command again to update. The v2 data directory stays the same when beta becomes stable. Uninstalling the package does not delete data or keys.

The desktop app uses the same local server with a separate profile. Automatic desktop updates are not enabled; install a newer version over the existing application to update it.

Download the desktop installer.