LobeHub

One line: LobeHub (84k+ stars on GitHub) is an open-source AI chat workspace — the official desktop app puts one polished client on your machine for many model providers, with multi-agent chats, memory and MCP connectors; credentials are stored encrypted.

What you get

• A native desktop app for Windows and macOS (Apple Silicon / Intel) with built-in auto-update
• One client, many providers: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, OpenRouter, DeepSeek… plus local Ollama / LM Studio
• Agent-focused extras: multi-agent chats, memory, knowledge files, and MCP connectors installed on your computer
• Same product everywhere: desktop, web (app.lobehub.com) and mobile apps share one account
• Your data on your device: local conversations live in the app's own data directory; sign-in syncs your account content across devices

Before you start (2 minutes)

• Windows 10/11 (x64) or macOS (Apple Silicon or Intel) — pick the matching download
• One model source: a cloud API key, or a local Ollama server (any one)
• Not needed: administrator rights (the Windows installer is per-user), Docker, Node.js, a self-hosted server
• Heads-up: the desktop app is not fully offline — cloud models, sign-in and sync need a network (official docs)

Install

Route A: install with AiBOX (recommended)

1. Open AiBOX → app directory → LobeHub → Install
2. AiBOX downloads the official GitHub release installer (sha256-verified; CN traffic auto-uses the accelerated channel) and runs the NSIS silent install (/S) on Windows / mounts the DMG and copies the app on macOS — zero admin rights
3. Launch LobeHub from the Start menu / Applications — that's it

Route B: manual install (official channels)

• Official downloads page: lobehub.com/downloads → Windows installer or macOS DMG (Apple Silicon / Intel)
• Windows: run LobeHub-x.y.z-setup.exe — installs for the current user into %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\LobeHub
• macOS: open the DMG and drag LobeHub.app into /Applications (signed & notarized)
• The web edition at app.lobehub.com needs no install at all
• Mobile (iOS/Android) is available from the same downloads page — sign in with the same account

Configuration

1. First launch: create / sign in with your personal account (same account syncs across desktop, web and mobile; files stored only on this device do not sync automatically — official docs)
2. Add a model: Settings → AI Providers → pick a provider → flip its switch on → paste the API key (most providers; Bedrock/Azure also ask for region/endpoint)
3. Local models: choose Ollama / LM Studio / vLLM and enter the local endpoint in the Proxy URL field
4. Per-agent model choice: each Agent can pick its own default model — set it in the agent settings

Verification: what "works" looks like

1. The window opens and you are signed in (or in local mode)
2. In Settings → AI Providers your provider's switch is green
3. Send a test chat ("hello") from the main window → a streaming reply comes back
4. Optional terminal check (Windows):

"%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\LobeHub\LobeHub.exe" --version
# should print x.y.z (matches the release AiBOX installed)

FAQ

• Where is my data: local conversations and sessions live in %APPDATA%\LobeHub (Windows) / ~/Library/Application Support/LobeHub (macOS); account content lives with your sign-in
• Key safety: credentials are stored encrypted by the desktop app (official desktop README)
• Provider connection fails: check the key, or set the provider's Proxy URL to an API-compatible endpoint / your Ollama address
• Side-by-side work: the desktop app adds a work panel next to the chat and multi-tab browsing — see the official "Getting LobeHub" page
• CN access: if a provider's endpoint is slow, use its Proxy URL field with a mirror endpoint; the app itself downloads from GitHub releases (AiBOX uses accelerated channels)
• Updates: the app auto-updates; AiBOX re-install also overwrites cleanly with a newer release
• Uninstall keeps nothing secret: local-only chats don't survive an uninstall — export first

Uninstall

• Windows: Settings → Apps → LobeHub → Uninstall (or the bundled uninstaller in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\LobeHub)
• macOS: quit LobeHub and drag LobeHub.app from /Applications to the Trash
• Leftovers: %APPDATA%\LobeHub / ~/Library/Application Support/LobeHub — delete them for a clean slate
• ⚠️ Content that exists only on this device does not sync automatically — back up / export before deleting

More: downloads · getting LobeHub · model providers · self-hosting (web)