Getting started

1. Download and install

Get Synthetic BrAIn for your platform:

• Windows — download the installer and run it. If Windows SmartScreen shows a prompt on a fresh release, choose More info → Run anyway (signed releases stop this appearing).
• macOS — open the .dmg and drag the app to Applications.

The app is local-first: it installs its own AI engine on your machine on first launch, so the first start takes a little longer while it sets things up. Later launches are fast.

2. First run

On first launch you'll:

1. Create your profile — a name, username, and email, stored on your device. This identifies you locally; it is not an account on our servers.
2. Accept the Terms — you'll be asked to agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
3. Wait for the engine — a one-time setup prepares the local engine. A progress indicator shows what's happening.

3. Connect a model

Synthetic BrAIn doesn't lock you to one AI provider. You can:

• Run a local model on your own hardware, or
• Bring your own key (BYOK) to a frontier provider such as OpenAI or Anthropic.

Open Settings → Models to add a key or select a local model. See Models & BYOK for details.

4. Start a conversation

Type in the chat and press Enter. Your assistant remembers what matters across sessions (see The Brain), can use tools, and can act on your behalf when you ask it to (see Chat, agents & the sandbox).

Next steps

• Understand The Brain.
• Connect a channel so you can reach your assistant from your phone — Messaging channels.
• Learn how the trial and licence work.