> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://beebole.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Desktop app: draft time entries from your activity

> Install the Beebole desktop app on macOS, Windows, or Linux and turn what you work on into draft time entries — private until you accept them.

The Beebole desktop app is a companion application for macOS, Windows, and Linux that drafts time entries from what you work on. Activity tracking is opt-in — nothing is watched or recorded until you explicitly turn it on. When tracking is on, the app reads only application names and window titles — never your screen or audio — and stores them on your machine only. Beebole turns that activity into [suggested time entries](/help/documentation/ai#suggested-time-entries), and only the entries you accept reach your timesheet.

<Info>
  Activity data stays on the device, is never shared with anyone, and is deleted after a week. Suggestions are private to you until you accept them.
</Info>

***

## Downloading and installing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Assistant page">
    Click **Assistant** in the sidebar and scroll to the **Desktop app** section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the installer">
    Pick your platform next to **Download**: **macOS** (`.dmg`), **Windows** (`.exe`), or **Linux** (`.AppImage` or `.deb`). You can also download the current build directly:

    | Platform         | Direct download                                                                                            |
    | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | macOS            | [beebole-desktop-macos.dmg](https://app.beebole.com/downloads/desktop/beebole-desktop-macos.dmg)           |
    | Windows          | [beebole-desktop-windows.exe](https://app.beebole.com/downloads/desktop/beebole-desktop-windows.exe)       |
    | Linux (AppImage) | [beebole-desktop-linux.AppImage](https://app.beebole.com/downloads/desktop/beebole-desktop-linux.AppImage) |
    | Linux (deb)      | [beebole-desktop-linux.deb](https://app.beebole.com/downloads/desktop/beebole-desktop-linux.deb)           |

    The links always serve the latest version — the same files the **Assistant** page offers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install and launch">
    Run the installer and open the app. Then return to the **Assistant** page in your browser — when Beebole detects the running app, it connects it to your account automatically by syncing your API key. Use **Open the desktop app** on the same page to bring it up anytime.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Beebole is registering the app with Apple and Microsoft, so installing will soon be seamless. Until then the installers are unsigned and your system warns you: on macOS, after the first blocked launch, allow the app under **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security**; on Windows, choose **More info** → **Run anyway**.
</Info>

***

## Turning tracking on

The app never starts watching on its own. After your first hour with the app, a card titled **Automatic timesheet suggestions** appears on your timesheet explaining what would be observed (which applications and windows you use), what stays on your computer, and what is sent to your account — only the resulting suggestions: project, task, and duration.

* Click **Enable tracking** to turn it on. Suggestions start appearing after a few hours of activity.
* Click **No thanks** to keep tracking off — nothing is recorded, and Beebole never asks again.
* Turn tracking on, pause it, or switch it back off anytime from the Beebole icon in the menu bar (macOS) or system tray (Windows/Linux). The [Beebole AI](/help/documentation/ai) page also shows whether tracking is on or off and lets you switch it.

<Info>
  On macOS, Beebole asks for **Screen Recording** access so it can read window titles — it never records your screen or audio. If access was refused, suggestions are less precise; the Beebole AI page warns you and opens the right System Settings pane.
</Info>

***

## How suggestions work

With tracking on, the app watches which applications and windows you actively use and how long. Beebole groups that activity into draft time entries and shows them in the **Suggested entries** tray above your timesheet, badged **Desktop**.

* **Accept**, **Accept all**, or **Dismiss** each suggestion — nothing is logged without your say-so.
* Click **Why?** on a suggestion to see the activity behind it. The details live on the machine that captured them; on another device Beebole shows **These details aren't available on this device.**
* In the timesheet's [calendar view](/help/documentation/timesheets#calendar-view), suggestions appear as ghost entries you can drag into a time slot.

***

## Related content

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Beebole AI" icon="sparkles" href="/help/documentation/ai">
    All of Beebole's AI features, including where suggestions come from.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Browser extension" icon="puzzle-piece" href="/help/documentation/browser-extension">
    Draft entries from the websites you choose — no desktop app required.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Timesheets" icon="clock" href="/help/documentation/timesheets">
    Where suggested entries appear and get accepted.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Mobile app (PWA)" icon="mobile" href="/help/documentation/mobile">
    Install Beebole on your phone or tablet from the browser.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What does the Beebole desktop app track?">
    Nothing until you enable tracking. Once on, it reads only application names and window titles — never your screen or audio. The captured activity is stored on your machine, never shared with anyone, and deleted after a week. It exists solely to draft time entry suggestions for you.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can my manager see my desktop activity?">
    No. Activity stays on your device, and the suggestions built from it are private to you. Your manager only ever sees the time entries you explicitly accept onto your timesheet — the same as entries you type by hand.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which platforms does the desktop app support?">
    macOS (`.dmg`), Windows (`.exe`), and Linux (both `.AppImage` and `.deb` packages). Download the installer from the **Assistant** page in Beebole.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my system warn me when installing the app?">
    The installers are not yet signed with Apple and Microsoft while Beebole completes their registration processes. On macOS, allow the app under **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security** after the first blocked launch; on Windows, choose **More info** → **Run anyway**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need the desktop app to use the browser extension?">
    No. The Beebole browser extension connects directly to your account with your API key and works on its own. Use the desktop app if you also want activity outside the browser turned into suggestions.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>