OpenWork Pre-Compiled Binaries: Download & Install Guide for All Platforms

Yes — OpenWork provides fully built, pre-compiled binaries for Linux, macOS, and Windows on every tagged release, eliminating the need for manual compilation.

If you're looking to run different-ai/openwork without building from source, the project maintains an automated release pipeline that compiles and distributes ready-to-use binaries. This guide covers where to find them, what formats are available, and how to install them on your system.

Where to Download OpenWork Binaries

All pre-compiled OpenWork binaries are published to the official GitHub Releases page. The most recent stable version v0.18.16 is available at:

https://github.com/different-ai/openwork/releases/tag/v0.18.16

The CI pipeline defined in .github/workflows/build-electron-desktop.yml automatically runs electron-builder for every tag, producing platform-specific packages and uploading them as release assets.

Available Binary Formats by Platform

Platform	Architecture	Binary Types	Example Asset Name
Linux	x86_64	AppImage, tar.gz	openwork-cloud-linux-x86_64-0.18.16.AppImage
Linux	ARM64	AppImage, tar.gz	openwork-cloud-linux-arm64-0.18.16.AppImage
macOS	Intel (x64)	DMG, ZIP	openwork-cloud-mac-x64-0.18.16.dmg
macOS	Apple Silicon (ARM64)	DMG, ZIP	openwork-cloud-mac-arm64-0.18.16.dmg
Windows	x64	AppX/EXE	Bundled within cross-platform packages

The naming convention follows openwork-cloud-<platform>-<arch>-<version>.<ext>, making automated downloads straightforward.

Installing OpenWork on Linux

Linux users have two primary options: AppImage (portable, no installation required) or tar.gz (extractable archive).

Method 1: AppImage (Recommended for Most Users)

The AppImage format requires no system installation and runs on any modern Linux distribution.

# Download the x86_64 AppImage

curl -L -o openwork.AppImage \
  https://github.com/different-ai/openwork/releases/download/v0.18.16/openwork-cloud-linux-x86_64-0.18.16.AppImage

# Make executable and launch

chmod +x openwork.AppImage
./openwork.AppImage

For ARM64 systems (Raspberry Pi, Apple Silicon VMs, etc.), substitute arm64 for x86_64 in the URL.

Method 2: tar.gz Archive

Use the tar.gz when you need to inspect contents or integrate with custom desktop environments.

# Download and extract ARM64 archive

curl -L -o openwork.tar.gz \
  https://github.com/different-ai/openwork/releases/download/v0.18.16/openwork-cloud-linux-arm64-0.18.16.tar.gz

tar -xzf openwork.tar.gz
cd openwork-cloud-linux-arm64-0.18.16
./OpenWork

The packaging/docker/Dockerfile in the source repository shows how these Linux binaries are constructed inside controlled build environments.

Installing OpenWork on macOS

macOS binaries are distributed as DMG (drag-and-drop installer) and ZIP (manual extraction) for both Intel and Apple Silicon architectures.

Method 1: DMG Installation (Standard)

# Download Apple Silicon DMG

curl -L -o OpenWork.dmg \
  https://github.com/different-ai/openwork/releases/download/v0.18.16/openwork-cloud-mac-arm64-0.18.16.dmg

# Mount, install, and eject

hdiutil attach OpenWork.dmg
cp -R /Volumes/OpenWork/OpenWork.app /Applications/
hdiutil detach /Volumes/OpenWork

Intel Mac users should replace arm64 with x64 in the download URL.

Method 2: ZIP Extraction

# Download Intel Mac ZIP

curl -L -o OpenWork.zip \
  https://github.com/different-ai/openwork/releases/download/v0.18.16/openwork-cloud-mac-x64-0.18.16.zip

unzip OpenWork.zip
open OpenWork.app

Windows Binaries

Windows executables are currently bundled within the cross-platform packages produced by the Electron builder. The .github/workflows/build-electron-desktop.yml workflow generates Windows AppX and EXE formats as part of the standard build matrix. Check the release assets for Windows-specific downloads if explicitly listed, or extract from the platform-agnostic bundles.

How the Build Pipeline Works

Understanding the build process helps troubleshoot issues and verify binary authenticity.

The automated pipeline executes these steps:

1. Trigger: Git tag push initiates .github/workflows/build-electron-desktop.yml
2. Build: electron-builder compiles the Electron application for each target platform
3. Package: Creates platform-native formats (AppImage, DMG, ZIP, AppX)
4. Publish: Uploads artifacts to the GitHub Release page with predictable naming

Key source files governing this process:

• package.json — defines Electron app configuration and NPM scripts for building
• .github/workflows/build-electron-desktop.yml — CI orchestration for multi-platform builds
• packaging/docker/Dockerfile — containerized Linux build environment
• packaging/aur/PKGBUILD — Arch Linux package specification referencing the pre-built AppImage
• packaging/helm/openwork-ee/Chart.yaml — Helm deployment for server-side OpenWork instances

Verifying Your Download

All release assets are attached directly to GitHub's release system, providing:

• Checksum verification: Compare file hashes against published values when available
• Source traceability: Each release links to the exact Git commit used for building
• Version consistency: The README.md prominent "Download OpenWork" button always points to the latest release

Summary

• OpenWork binaries are pre-compiled and available for Linux (x86_64, ARM64), macOS (Intel, Apple Silicon), and Windows
• Download location: GitHub Releases at github.com/different-ai/openwork/releases
• Linux options: AppImage (portable) or tar.gz (extractable)
• macOS options: DMG (installer) or ZIP (manual)
• No compilation required: The CI pipeline in .github/workflows/build-electron-desktop.yml handles all builds automatically
• Arch Linux users: The packaging/aur/PKGBUILD pulls official AppImage releases into the AUR ecosystem

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the official OpenWork binaries hosted?

All pre-compiled OpenWork binaries are hosted on GitHub Releases, attached to each tagged version. Navigate to https://github.com/different-ai/openwork/releases and select the latest tag (currently v0.18.16) to view downloadable assets.

Do I need to build OpenWork from source?

No. The project provides fully compiled binaries for all supported platforms. Building from source is only necessary if you're modifying the codebase or targeting an unsupported architecture. The .github/workflows/build-electron-desktop.yml pipeline produces release-ready artifacts automatically.

How do I install OpenWork on Raspberry Pi or ARM Linux?

Download the ARM64 AppImage or tar.gz from the Linux ARM64 release assets. The AppImage runs without installation: chmod +x then execute. The packaging/docker/Dockerfile demonstrates how ARM64 builds are cross-compiled in the CI environment.

Are the binaries signed or verified?

Binaries are built through GitHub's trusted CI infrastructure with workflow definitions stored in the public repository. Each release links to the exact commit and workflow run that produced it. Check the release notes for any additional cryptographic signatures provided by the maintainers.

Can I automate OpenWork installation in my deployment pipeline?

Yes. The predictable naming convention (openwork-cloud-<platform>-<arch>-<version>.<ext>) enables scripted downloads. For containerized deployments, reference the packaging/helm/openwork-ee/Chart.yaml Helm chart or the Docker build process defined in packaging/docker/Dockerfile.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}