Install Locus
Requirements
- Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later.
- One model source: local Ollama with a downloaded model, an eligible ChatGPT plan, or a supported API account.
The packaged app includes its Python agent runtime. You do not need a separate Python installation, Homebrew, Rust, Codex CLI, or a running ChatGPT or Codex app. Ollama and model weights are separate installations.
Install and open
- Download Locus-macOS.zip from the 2.7.0 release.
- Unzip it and move Locus.app to Applications.
- Open Locus and follow Getting Started. Existing users can reopen setup from Help → Getting Started.
- Choose local Ollama or connect your account under Settings → Models & Providers.
- Choose a workspace and review your permission mode before sending a request.
New settings start in Dark appearance. Change it in Settings → Appearance. Upgrading keeps an appearance choice you have already saved.
ChatGPT-plan components
ChatGPT-plan access uses pinned Codex helpers. Direct release builds normally offer them as a separate component download when you add that account. Ollama and API-key accounts do not need the component. Downloaded components must pass checksum and SparkTales code-signature checks before installation or execution. A failed check preserves the previous installation.
Debug and Mac App Store builds bundle the helpers; direct builds can also explicitly bundle them. Use Settings → Updates for the component's available controls.
Update to 2.7 and beyond
If you use 2.6.0 or earlier, install the 2.7.0 download once. Those installations cannot fetch this change automatically. Unzip the download and replace Locus in Applications.
From 2.7 onward, direct-download Locus checks for updates daily, can download them in the background, and installs a downloaded update when you quit. Open Settings → Updates to check manually or change the automatic-check and download preferences. Existing opt-outs stay in effect. macOS may ask for administrator approval if the installation location requires it.
Installing Locus preserves existing Locus chats, accounts, settings, and browser data. Wallet files and Keychain entries are left untouched and are not automatically imported. Earlier wallet-era installations continue using their unchanged update feed; LocusX is a separate edition.
The ChatGPT-plan component updates separately from the application. The Mac App Store build uses Apple's update mechanism.
Locus and LocusX
| Edition | Wallet functionality | App data |
|---|---|---|
| Locus | Excluded | Keeps the existing Locus profile |
| LocusX | Separate optional wallet implementation | Independent chats, accounts, settings, and browser profile |
| Mac App Store build target | Excluded | Uses the sandboxed app distribution |
The direct-download distribution supports optional Computer Control; the Mac App Store target excludes it. The built-in browser is available in both. The existence of a build target does not imply a currently available App Store listing.