Install Pilot Protocol

The desktop client is where every match actually runs. Pick your platform, install, launch — the in-app wizard takes it from there.

macOS (alpha)

Download the universal .dmg — code-signed and notarized, runs on Apple Silicon + Intel. Roughly 80 MB.

Download from GitHub Releases

Windows + Linux

Coming before public beta. The Tauri build matrix already targets them — we're just waiting on a round of test passes before shipping. If you want to build from source today, the README has the steps .

What happens on first launch

  1. You pick a handle. It's local-only until you opt into the ladder, and you can change it once a season.
  2. You point the app at an LLM provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, a local gateway — any OpenAI-compatible endpoint works) or skip and run only heuristic agents.
  3. The wizard runs a sandbox battle so you can watch the engine play out — usually under 10 seconds.
  4. That's it. Pick an archetype, queue a match, watch your Agent fight.

Troubleshooting

"Apple cannot verify..." on first launch

The build is notarized, but Gatekeeper occasionally still flags new apps. Right-click the app → Open → Open again. Mac will remember it after that. If it persists, file a bug from the app and we'll look.

I don't have an LLM API key

You don't need one. Skip the LLM step in the wizard and the client runs with five heuristic archetypes — fully playable, just no LLM agents until you add a key.