Install & connect a provider

Getting running is two steps: install the app, then connect at least one AI provider so your workers have a brain to think with.

1. Install the app

askTheodor is a native desktop app (built with Tauri) for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

1. Download the installer for your operating system from the askTheodor website.
2. Open it and follow the prompts.
   • macOS: drag the app to Applications. The first launch may ask you to confirm an app from an identified developer.
   • Windows: run the installer; choose passive install if prompted.
   • Linux: use the provided package; it needs a desktop environment.
3. Launch askTheodor. On first run, Theodor introduces himself and walks you through the basics, and a starter worker is created so you’re not staring at an empty screen.

Trial & license

askTheodor includes a 7-day free trial. After that, activate a license in Settings → License. Updates are never blocked behind a license, and your provider keys stay on your machine, encrypted at rest.

2. Connect an AI provider

Open Settings → Providers (the default Settings tab). You have three kinds of options — pick at least one:

Cloud providers (most capable)

Cards for OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, xAI, DeepSeek, Z.ai, Moonshot. For each: flip enable, paste your API key, and click Test. Some support OAuth sign-in (a device-code flow) and Import from env if a key is detected in your environment.

Local runners (private, free to run)

Ollama or LM Studio — run open models on your own hardware, no key, no per-token cost. askTheodor auto-tests these. Great for privacy and for offline work.

Built-in model (zero setup)

A small model that ships inside the app (an in-process GGUF). Always available as a fallback so the app works even before you connect anything.

Which should I pick?

• Want the best quality fastest? Add one cloud key (OpenAI or Anthropic).
• Care about privacy / cost? Run Ollama locally.
• Just exploring? The built-in model already works — connect a cloud provider later when you want more power.

Optional: web search keys

In Settings → Providers → 🔎 Web search keys, add a Tavily or Brave key so the web_search tool returns rich results. Without one, search falls back to DuckDuckGo instant answers — still useful, just lighter.

You’re ready

Connect a provider and you can immediately start your first hour.

🎓 Learn it hands-on: Install & first run

Terms in this page

• Tauri — the framework askTheodor is built with; it produces a small, fast native desktop app that runs a web-based interface in a system window.
• API key — a secret token from an AI provider that authorizes (and bills) your requests. Treat it like a password; askTheodor keeps it in its local database, encrypted at rest.
• OAuth (device-code flow) — a sign-in method where you authorize the app on a provider’s website instead of pasting a key. The app receives a token without ever seeing your password.
• GGUF — a file format for packaged local AI models. The “built-in” model is a small GGUF that runs inside the app with no external program.
• Ollama / LM Studio — programs that run open-source AI models on your own computer, which askTheodor can use as a private, no-cost provider.
• Token — the unit AI models read and write in (roughly ¾ of a word). Providers bill per token; the Cost screen tracks them.
• Encrypted at rest — provider keys are stored as ciphertext in askTheodor’s local database, with the encryption key in a separate protected file, so a copy of the database alone reveals nothing. See Security & privacy.