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

# Desktop App Overview

> Bitwarden's Electron-based desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux

The Bitwarden Desktop application is a cross-platform password manager built with Electron and Angular. It provides a native desktop experience while sharing most of its core logic with other Bitwarden clients.

## Supported Platforms

The desktop app supports the following platforms:

* **Windows**: x64, ARM64, and ia32 architectures
  * Microsoft Store version
  * Portable version
  * Standard installer
* **macOS**: Universal binaries (Intel + Apple Silicon)
  * Mac App Store (MAS) version
  * Direct download DMG
* **Linux**: x64 and ARM64
  * AppImage
  * Snap package
  * Flatpak
  * tar.gz archive

## Technology Stack

### Frontend

* **Framework**: Angular
* **Runtime**: Electron renderer process (Chromium-based)
* **UI**: Component Library shared across Bitwarden clients
* **Styling**: Tailwind CSS

### Backend (Main Process)

* **Runtime**: Electron main process (Node.js)
* **Native Modules**: Rust via N-API
* **IPC**: Electron's Inter-Process Communication

### Native Integration

The desktop app includes Rust-based native modules for:

* **Biometric authentication**: Windows Hello, Touch ID, Linux polkit
* **SSH Agent**: Secure SSH key management
* **Autofill**: Platform-native autofill providers
* **Clipboard**: Secure clipboard operations
* **Password storage**: OS keychain integration
* **Process isolation**: Security sandboxing
* **Chromium import**: Browser password import utilities

## Project Structure

```
apps/desktop/
├── src/
│   ├── main.ts              # Main process entry point
│   ├── preload.ts           # Preload script
│   ├── app/                 # Angular application (renderer)
│   ├── main/                # Main process modules
│   ├── platform/            # Platform services
│   ├── auth/                # Authentication
│   ├── autofill/            # Autofill functionality
│   └── key-management/      # Biometrics & key management
├── desktop_native/          # Rust native modules
│   ├── core/                # Core Rust functionality
│   ├── napi/                # N-API bindings
│   ├── autofill_provider/   # Platform autofill
│   ├── ssh_agent/           # SSH agent
│   └── ...
├── resources/               # App resources & icons
└── package.json
```

## Key Features

### Native Integration

* **Biometric Unlock**: Platform-native biometric authentication
* **Auto-start**: Launch on system startup
* **System Tray**: Background operation with tray icon
* **Native Notifications**: OS-level notifications
* **Dark Mode**: System theme integration

### Browser Integration

* **Native Messaging**: Communication with browser extensions
* **Password Import**: Import from Chrome, Edge, and other Chromium browsers
* **DuckDuckGo Integration**: Specialized manifest generation

### Security Features

* **Process Isolation**: Sandboxed processes for enhanced security
* **Secure Memory**: Memory encryption for sensitive data
* **SSH Agent**: Secure SSH key storage and usage
* **Clipboard Protection**: Secure clipboard with auto-clear

## Version Information

Current version: **2026.2.1**

The desktop app is part of the Bitwarden Clients monorepo and shares versioning with other client applications.

## Platform Detection

The app automatically detects the platform and adjusts functionality:

```typescript theme={null}
// Device type detection
switch (process.platform) {
  case "win32":
    return DeviceType.WindowsDesktop;
  case "darwin":
    return DeviceType.MacOsDesktop;
  default:
    return DeviceType.LinuxDesktop;
}
```

Platform-specific features include:

* **Windows**: Windows Hello, DPAPI for secure storage, Registry access
* **macOS**: Touch ID, Keychain integration, Safari autofill extension
* **Linux**: Polkit authentication, Secret Service API, X11/Wayland support

## Distribution Variants

The build system supports multiple distribution variants:

* **Standard**: Regular installer/package
* **Portable**: Windows portable executable
* **Store**: Microsoft Store and Mac App Store versions
* **Beta**: Beta channel builds with separate configuration

<Note>
  Store versions (Microsoft Store, Mac App Store) have additional restrictions and require specific entitlements and provisioning profiles.
</Note>

## Related Documentation

* [Building the Desktop App](/apps/desktop/building)
* [Architecture Details](/apps/desktop/architecture)
* [Native Modules](/apps/desktop/native-modules)