Desktop

The local app currently targets macOS ARM64. You need to build it from source; there is no signed app download yet. Follow Local setup for build tools and commands. Native Windows is not supported; other desktop platforms have no confirmed packaged installation.

Try the demo

After building, run this from the source checkout:

bin/wa-indexer demo

The browser opens automatically. Save your choices, then use the WhatsApp connection card's button (Link WhatsApp or Connection details) and choose Load synthetic messages. Search the sample Hebrew and English conversations. The demo uses a separate archive and never connects to your WhatsApp account. Its sample transcripts and image text are examples.

Stop the demo with Ctrl+C before starting your own archive.

Start your archive

bin/wa-indexer serve

Follow First run to choose chats and dates, then link your phone. Keep the app process running; closing the browser tab does not stop it. Check compatibility before depending on the archive as a backup.

Find your data

On macOS, the default directory is ~/Library/Application Support/WA Indexer. A custom --data-dir must be an absolute path to private local storage. Use the same directory on later launches, keep it outside shared or cloud-synced folders, and protect it with disk encryption.

Use --no-open to skip automatic browser opening. If needed, open the app's private owner-url on the same computer. Keep that link private. Starting the same archive again normally opens its existing owner interface.

Add optional features

Keyword search works without models. Follow Voice transcription for the optional local speech service, or Connect an AI client for Codex and Claude Code. Semantic search and image processing remain experimental.