Windows beta

The Windows version does everything the Mac version does, with a few differences. Shortcuts use Ctrl instead of Cmd, the terminal is PowerShell, updates download when you click Update, and you'll see a one-time security warning when you install. It's a beta, so expect a few rough edges.

It's a beta, and your feedback helps

The Windows version has been tested on Windows 11, but it's newer than the Mac version, so you may hit the occasional rough edge. If something looks wrong or doesn't work, please tell us. It really does speed up fixes:

• Post in the Granular Discord community, or
• Email hello@granular.build.

If you haven't installed yet, start with Install Granular on Windows (beta).

Keyboard shortcuts use Ctrl

Everything works the same as on Mac, except you press Ctrl where the Mac uses Cmd. The most useful ones:

In the chat box, Enter sends your message and Shift+Enter adds a new line.

Shortcut hints across the app automatically show "Ctrl" on Windows, so you don't have to remember the swap.

The terminal uses PowerShell

On Windows, the terminal runs Windows PowerShell (Windows' own command window). Chatting with the agent works exactly the same; this only matters if you type commands yourself. If PowerShell can't start, Granular falls back to Command Prompt.

Tools installed with npm, such as npm, npx and many developer tools, work in Granular's terminals with no setup. Windows normally blocks these as "scripts", so Granular lets them run inside its own terminals only. It doesn't change any setting on your PC, and your other PowerShell windows behave as before.

If your PC is managed by an organisation that locks this setting, npm tools may still be refused with "running scripts is disabled on this system". Ask your IT team, or type npm.cmd instead of npm.

Folders and file safety

Extra folders work the same as on the Mac, with Windows paths (like C:\Users\you\Brand, or a whole drive like D:\).

• A Read only folder is protected from the agent's file tools, and from common PowerShell and Command Prompt commands that would write there, such as Set-Content, Copy-Item, Remove-Item, copy, del and robocopy. Letter case doesn't matter.
• The agent's file tools never change your AppData folder, where Windows apps keep their settings and saved logins. Your OneDrive and Dropbox folders are not in AppData, so the agent can work in them when you allow it.

See Privacy and access.

Installing Codex, Gemini and other agents

Claude comes built in. If you pick Codex, Gemini or a coding agent such as OpenCode, Cursor or GitHub Copilot from a chat's account picker and it isn't on your PC yet, Granular shows a small panel that says it needs a one-time install. This works the same on the Mac.

• Codex installs with OpenAI's own Windows installer. It doesn't need anything else first. Granular finds Codex where that installer puts it.
• Gemini and OpenCode need Node.js first. If Node.js isn't on your PC, the panel says so and links to it.
• Cursor installs with PowerShell; GitHub Copilot with WinGet.
• Grok has a Windows version for 64-bit PCs.

In the panel:

1. Click Install for me. Granular types the install command into the chat's terminal so you can watch it.
2. When it finishes, Granular carries on to signing in by itself.

You can also click Copy and run the command yourself, then click I've installed it - check again.

Fixed in 0.6.0

• Terminals open reliably. A PowerShell tab that opened blank with "File not found:" now starts properly.
• User folders with a space in the name (for example C:\Users\Sam Lee) no longer break agents. Codex sign-in no longer spins forever, and Gemini and other npm-installed agents run.
• Claude stays signed in after you restart Granular.
• Stop really stops. Stopping a coding agent ends everything it started, and agents run without an extra console window.
• Start agent in the Terminal tool types into the tab you're looking at.
• File addresses: the Preview canvas, Preview comments and Ask about this handle C:\ paths, and a file is never added to the canvas twice.
• Tooltips across the app say Ctrl, not Cmd.

How updates work

When a new version is ready, Granular shows Granular … is available with an Update button. Click Update: Granular downloads it inside the app and restarts into the new version.

On the Mac, updates also download in the background. On Windows they wait for your click, because the Windows beta isn't code-signed yet. If the download fails, click Try again, or Download manually to get the installer from the website and run it yourself.

The one-time security warning

The first time you run a new installer, Windows shows a blue "Windows protected your PC" box (SmartScreen). Clear it with More info → Run anyway. It appears because the beta isn't code-signed. It is not a virus warning. Full steps are on the install page.

Your account works the same

Sign in with the same email you use on your Mac, and your plan, AI credits and published links come along. See Account and sign-in.

Troubleshooting

If a terminal tab is blank and says "File not found:"
Update to Granular 0.6.0 or later. Terminals now start PowerShell from its full location.

If Codex sign-in keeps spinning, or Gemini or another agent won't start
This happened when your Windows user folder has a space in its name. Update to 0.6.0 or later, then sign in again.

If you have to sign in to Claude again after every restart
Update to 0.6.0 or later. Claude now stays signed in.

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