# Install Machine Code

What you need, how to download and install Machine Code on Windows or Mac, how to sign in, and how updates work.

Canonical page: https://themachine.myapps.ai/docs/code/install

## Before you start

You need:

1. **A Machine account.** Accounts are created on the Machine web app. If you
   don't have one, sign up on the web first.
2. **A supported computer:**

   | System | Supported |
   |---|---|
   | Windows | Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit (x64) |
   | Mac | macOS 13 or later, Apple silicon or Intel |

3. **Git.** Machine Code works on git repositories. Install git if your
   computer doesn't have it.

Linux isn't offered yet.

## Download

Go to the [download page](/download?app=code) and open the **Code** tab. Pick
the row for your computer:

| System | File |
|---|---|
| Windows | `Machine-Code-Setup-<version>-x64.exe` |
| Mac with Apple silicon (M1 and later) | `Machine-Code-<version>-arm64.dmg` |
| Mac with Intel | `Machine-Code-<version>-x64.dmg` |

Not sure which Mac you have? Open the Apple menu and choose **About This Mac**.
If it says **Chip: Apple M…**, take Apple silicon.

## Install

<Tabs items={['Windows', 'Mac']}>
<Tab value="Windows">
### Open the installer

Double-click `Machine-Code-Setup-<version>-x64.exe` in your **Downloads**
folder.
### Get past the safety check

The Windows installer isn't code-signed yet, so Windows shows a blue box:
**Windows protected your PC**. Click **More info**, then **Run anyway**. You
only see this the first time; updates install without it.
### Let it install

The installer runs by itself, just for your user account, with no
administrator prompt. Machine Code opens when it's done, and you'll find it
in the Start menu.
</Tab>
<Tab value="Mac">
### Open the disk image

Double-click the `.dmg` file in your **Downloads** folder.
### Drag it into Applications

Drag **Machine Code** onto the **Applications** folder.
### Open it

Open **Machine Code** from Applications. It's signed and notarized by Apple,
so it opens normally.
</Tab>
</Tabs>

## Sign in

When the app opens, you see **Sign in to Machine Code**.

### Enter your email

Type the email of your Machine account and click **Send code**.

![The Sign in to Machine Code screen with an email typed in and the Send code button](/images/docs/code/sign-in.webp)
### Enter the code

Machine emails you a 6-digit code. It works once and expires in an hour. Type
it into **Code from the email** and click **Sign in**. If it didn't arrive,
click **Send a new code**.

Prefer a password? Click **Sign in with a password instead** and use your
Machine email and password.

Once you're in, Machine Code uses your Machine project: its models, credits,
connectors, and secrets. To use a different project, open the account menu at
the bottom of the sidebar and choose **Switch project**.

**Sign out** is in the same menu. It removes this computer's project key, and
Machine Code stops using your account until you sign in again.

## Updates

Machine Code updates itself from Machine's signed update feed.

- When an update is ready, the sidebar shows **Update available**. Click
  **Download**, then **Restart to update**. Machine Code closes and reopens by
  itself.
- Nothing downloads until you choose to, and nothing installs until you
  restart. A downloaded update also installs when you quit.
- To check now, open **Settings › About** and click **Check** next to **App
  updates**. Otherwise the app checks every few hours.
- **Release channel** in the same place switches between **Stable** and
  **Beta**. Beta gets updates sooner.
- **What's new** (in Settings › About, and in the help menu) shows the notes
  for every version.

Every update is checked against Machine's signature before it's installed.
An update that doesn't match is refused.

## Uninstall

<Tabs items={['Windows', 'Mac']}>
<Tab value="Windows">
Open **Settings → Apps → Installed apps**, find **Machine Code**, click
**…**, and choose **Uninstall**.
</Tab>
<Tab value="Mac">
Quit Machine Code with **⌘Q**, then drag it from **Applications** to the
Trash.
</Tab>
</Tabs>

Uninstalling doesn't touch your code. Your repositories, branches, and
worktrees stay on disk, and anything you ran in Machine Cloud stays in your
Machine project.

## Common questions

**Is Machine Code free?**
The app is free. Agent work on Machine models is paid from your Machine
balance, the same as everywhere else in Machine. Work on [your own Claude,
ChatGPT, or Cursor plan](/docs/code/models#your-plans-on-this-pc) bills that
plan instead.

**Can I use Machine Code and Machine Desktop together?**
Yes. They're separate apps that share your Machine account. Install both if
you want both.