Run RSSMonster as a desktop app

RSSMonster can also run as an app on your computer. Introduced in v2.3.0, RSSMonster Desktop uses Electron to open the existing reader in its own window and run the backend locally. You do not need Docker, a separate database server, or an inference service to use the installed app.

Your subscriptions, articles, and reading state are stored in a local SQLite database. The desktop app uses its own account and data; it does not automatically connect or sync with an existing self-hosted RSSMonster installation.

Download and install

Open RSSMonster releases on GitHub and choose the installer for your system from a published release’s Assets:

System Download
Windows x64 RSSMonster-Setup-2.3.0-x64.exe
macOS, Intel RSSMonster-2.3.0-x64.dmg
macOS, Apple Silicon RSSMonster-2.3.0-arm64.dmg
Linux x64 RSSMonster-2.3.0-x86_64.AppImage or RSSMonster-2.3.0-amd64.deb

The version in each filename changes with the release. Installers only become publicly available after the desktop builds finish and the draft release is published. If a release has no desktop assets yet, use the source instructions below or choose a release that includes them.

  • Windows: run the .exe installer and launch RSSMonster.
  • macOS: open the .dmg and copy RSSMonster to Applications.
  • Linux: install the .deb with your package manager, or make the AppImage executable and run it on a system with AppImage support.

The initial binaries are unsigned and macOS builds are not notarized. Your operating system may show a trust warning or block opening the app. Signing and notarization are planned separately.

Start reading

  1. Launch RSSMonster and create your local account.
  2. Add a feed or import subscriptions from OPML.
  3. Use Refresh to fetch updates through the existing reader interface.
  4. Read articles, organize subscriptions, and save bookmarks.

Desktop refresh is manual. Feeds are fetched through actions in the app; there is no scheduled crawler or worker process checking for updates. Closing the last window exits RSSMonster and stops its local server. An active refresh may need time to finish before shutdown completes.

What runs on your computer

Electron starts the existing Express backend, initializes SQLite, and serves the existing Vue frontend over http://127.0.0.1 on an available local port. The reader continues using the same HTTP REST API as the web version. The server is bound to your computer’s loopback interface, not exposed to your network.

Desktop starts no inference service, AI worker, or crawl worker process. Administrators can connect a remote inference service in Settings → AI / Inference using its endpoint and optional matching API key. Environment URLs take precedence and hide those controls. Remote capabilities are discovered through the same server API as other deployments. Background enrichment jobs still require an AI worker, which Desktop does not start. Network access is needed for remote inference, feeds, and article media.

Storage, backups, and updates

RSSMonster stores desktop data in Electron’s operating-system-specific application data directory (app.getPath('userData')), under the application name RSSMonster. The important files are:

  • rssmonster.sqlite: subscriptions, articles, accounts, and reading state.
  • secrets.json: persistent authentication secrets; keep this with the database.

The same directory also holds the browser profile and caches. Data is stored outside the installed application, so replacing the app with a newer version preserves it. Required database migrations run when the app starts.

Quit RSSMonster fully before copying its application data directory for backup. Keep the backup private because it contains account data and authentication secrets. OPML exports preserve subscriptions, but do not replace a database backup.

There is no automatic updater. Download and install a newer release manually, backing up your data before upgrading.

Desktop app or installed web app?

The Electron desktop app runs its own local backend and SQLite database. RSSMonster also offers a Progressive Web App (PWA) that installs from your browser and connects to an existing self-hosted instance. Choose the PWA if you want the same server and account across devices. Its notification support depends on that server and browser; Electron desktop notifications are not included in this version.

Run from source

With Node.js 22.19.0 or newer, npm, and Git installed, clone RSSMonster and run these commands from the repository root:

git clone https://github.com/pietheinstrengholt/rssmonster.git
cd rssmonster
npm ci --prefix client
npm ci --prefix server
npm ci --prefix desktop
npm run desktop --prefix desktop

This builds the Vue frontend and launches Electron. It does not start the self-hosted worker or inference services. Use Node.js for the operating system where you intend to run Electron.

To build an installer for the current machine:

npm run desktop:build --prefix desktop

Artifacts are written to desktop/release/. See the desktop developer README for platform-specific commands, native SQLite handling, and verification details.

Current scope

Desktop provides a local SQLite reader with manual refresh. Background crawling, worker services, bundled inference/models, tray mode, notifications, signing, notarization, and auto-update are outside this initial version. The self-hosted version retains its existing worker and optional inference functionality.

This site uses Just the Docs, a documentation theme for Jekyll.