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Guide · Open source

How to use OpenChamber: install, run agent sessions and review changes

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

OpenChamber is an open-source workspace for starting AI coding agent sessions, seeing what those agents changed, and taking that work through review. It is built on the OpenCode agent and runs as a desktop app, in a browser, inside VS Code, or on iOS and Android. This guide shows you how to install it, choose the right surface, and use its main features so you can manage agent work from one place.

OpenChamberopenchamber/openchamber · ★ 12.5k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Pick your surface. Choose desktop, web, VS Code or mobile based on where you work. Desktop is the complete workspace.
  2. 2Install prerequisites. For desktop, download the release from GitHub Releases. For CLI/Web or VS Code, make sure Node.js 24.14+ and the OpenCode CLI are installed where needed.
  3. 3Install OpenChamber. Run the package for your system, the VS Code extension, or the CLI install script.
  4. 4Start with a password. Run openchamber with --ui-password so browser access is protected. Keep the default localhost binding unless you are on a trusted network.
  5. 5Start a session. Open a project and start an agent session with the task you want done.
  6. 6Review the changes. Use Changes Walkthrough to follow the diff and check what the agent built before you merge.
  7. 7Connect other devices. Pair a phone or second machine with a QR code and check progress from there.

What OpenChamber is and who it is for

OpenChamber gives you one place to run AI coding agent sessions, check what each session changed, and move that work toward review. Sessions and projects stay available when you switch devices.

It suits developers who already run AI coding agents, people who want to check or steer agent work from a phone, and teams reviewing agent-made changes. It is not a fit if you do not use coding agents, or if you need a fully managed hosted service, because it runs on your own machines.

Install OpenChamber on desktop, VS Code or the web

The simplest route is the desktop app. Download the latest release from GitHub Releases. Desktop bundles the matching OpenCode CLI, so you do not need a separate OpenCode installation.

For VS Code, install OpenChamber from the Visual Studio Marketplace or search for "OpenChamber" in the Extensions view. CLI/Web and VS Code use your installed OpenCode CLI.

For the web, you need Node.js 24.14+ and the OpenCode CLI. The install script below sets up the CLI for Web and PWA.

  • Desktop: download from GitHub Releases, no separate OpenCode install needed
  • VS Code: install from the Visual Studio Marketplace or search Extensions
  • CLI/Web: requires Node.js 24.14+ and the OpenCode CLI
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/openchamber/openchamber/main/scripts/install.sh | bash

Install the Linux package for your distribution

Linux releases come for x86_64 and ARM64 as a .deb for Debian and Ubuntu, an .rpm for Fedora and openSUSE, and an AppImage. The packages add OpenChamber to the app menu, and in-app updates ask for your password to install new packages.

The AppImage needs no install. Make it executable and keep it in a writable location so in-app updates work. On first start it adds itself to the app menu. Linux AppImages require FUSE (libfuse.so.2); without FUSE, run with APPIMAGE_EXTRACT_AND_RUN=1.

  • Debian/Ubuntu: install the .deb package with apt
  • Fedora: install the .rpm package with dnf
  • AppImage: make it executable and run it
sudo apt install ./OpenChamber-*-linux-amd64.deb sudo dnf install ./OpenChamber-*-linux-x86_64.rpm chmod +x OpenChamber-*.AppImage ./OpenChamber-*.AppImage

Start the web app and protect it with a password

After the CLI install, start OpenChamber with a UI password. OpenChamber binds to localhost by default. Use the --lan flag only on a trusted network, and protect browser access with --ui-password.

Common commands cover status checks, connecting devices with a QR code, starting a Cloudflare quick tunnel, enabling startup on login, reading logs, stopping the service and updating.

  • openchamber status: check the service
  • openchamber connect-url --qr: pair another device with a QR code
  • openchamber logs: read the logs
  • openchamber stop: stop OpenChamber
  • openchamber update: update to the latest version
openchamber --ui-password be-creative-here openchamber status openchamber connect-url --qr openchamber tunnel start --provider cloudflare --mode quick --qr openchamber startup enable openchamber logs openchamber stop openchamber update

Run and review agent sessions

Start a session on a project, let the agent work, and then look at what it changed. Changes Walkthrough turns a large diff into a guided tour that groups related edits into steps and explains how the pieces fit together.

Multi-run gives the same task to up to five models, each in its own session and optionally its own worktree. You can compare results, pick the best one, or use Fusion to combine the strongest parts into a new session. Session Goals keep the agent working toward a finish line until it completes the goal, gets blocked, or reaches your limit.

  • Changes Walkthrough: an AI-guided tour of a large diff
  • Multi-run: up to five models on the same task
  • Fusion: combine the strongest parts of several runs
  • Session Goals: keep working until the goal is met or blocked

Use GitHub, Preview and remote access

You can start a session from a GitHub issue or pull request with its context attached. Send failed checks or review comments back to the agent, then update or merge the pull request from OpenChamber.

Preview opens your app beside the conversation. Point at an element to send the agent its screenshot, styles, position and browser errors. Private Relay lets you pair a device with a one-time QR code without opening ports or exposing a public server. The connection is end-to-end encrypted and can be revoked at any time. Direct connections, LAN/VPN access, Cloudflare/Ngrok tunnels and SSH are also supported.

What people use it for

  • Starting an agent session from a GitHub issue and sending failed checks back to the agent
  • Checking progress and answering questions from a phone with the iOS or Android app
  • Giving one task to several models with Multi-run and comparing the results
  • Running a recurring prompt daily, weekly or on a cron schedule with Scheduled tasks

Frequently asked questions

Is OpenChamber free?

OpenChamber is open source and released under the MIT licence. The source says it runs on your own machines, so you manage the setup yourself.

What do I need to install OpenChamber?

The desktop app bundles the OpenCode CLI, so it needs no separate install. The CLI and web version need Node.js 24.14+ and the OpenCode CLI, and VS Code also uses the OpenCode CLI.

How do I install OpenChamber on Linux?

Use the .deb package on Debian or Ubuntu with sudo apt install, the .rpm on Fedora with sudo dnf install, or the AppImage after making it executable. AppImages need FUSE, or you can run with APPIMAGE_EXTRACT_AND_RUN=1.

Is OpenChamber the same as OpenCode?

No. OpenChamber is built on the OpenCode agent and adds a workspace for sessions, review and remote access. The project says it is independent and not affiliated with the OpenCode team.

Can I use OpenChamber from my phone?

Yes. The source lists iOS and Android apps, and you can pair a device with a QR code through Private Relay or other supported connections to check and steer agent work.

Is it safe to open OpenChamber to my network?

By default it binds to localhost. The source says to use --lan only on a trusted network and to protect browser access with --ui-password.

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Our verdict

OpenChamber suits developers who already use AI coding agents and want one place to run, review and steer them from desktop, web, VS Code or a phone. If you do not use coding agents, or you need a fully managed hosted service, pick something else, such as OpenCode, Cline, Aider or Continue, depending on how you want to work.

Install options & downloads