Desktop Client Setup Guide

Get started with the OrngeChat desktop application on Windows or Linux. Download, install, and connect to servers in just a few steps.

Platform

Contents

1 Download the Client

The OrngeChat desktop client is available for Windows and Linux. Download the version for your platform below.

Operating System
Windows 10+ (64-bit) or Linux (64-bit)
Disk Space
~150 MB
Memory
4 GB RAM minimum
Network
Internet connection required
Download OrngeChat.exe
Download OrngeChat.AppImage

2 Installation

OrngeChat for Windows is a portable application. No installer needed — just download and run.

Setup Steps

  1. Create a folder for OrngeChat (recommended for clean updates):
    C:\OrngeChat
  2. Move the downloaded OrngeChat.exe into this folder.
  3. (Optional) Right-click the exe → Create shortcut → move the shortcut to your Desktop.
  4. Double-click OrngeChat.exe to launch.
Why a dedicated folder?

The client stores settings and cache data alongside the executable. Keeping it in its own folder keeps things organized and ensures automatic updates work correctly.

First Launch

Windows SmartScreen may show a warning because the application isn't widely distributed yet. Click "More info" then "Run anyway" to proceed. The application is safe.

OrngeChat for Linux is distributed as an AppImage — a single portable file that works on most distributions without installation.

Quick Install (Script)

Run this one-liner to download, install, and create a desktop shortcut automatically:

curl -fsSL https://api.orngechat.site/install.sh | bash

This installs to ~/.local/bin/OrngeChat.AppImage and creates a desktop entry so it appears in your application menu.

Manual Install

  1. Download OrngeChat.AppImage from the link above.
  2. Make it executable:
    chmod +x OrngeChat.AppImage
  3. Move it somewhere on your PATH (optional but recommended):
    mv OrngeChat.AppImage ~/.local/bin/
  4. Run it:
    ./OrngeChat.AppImage
Sandbox Note

If you see sandbox-related errors, try running with --no-sandbox flag, or make sure FUSE is installed on your system (sudo apt install libfuse2 on Debian/Ubuntu).

3 Joining a Server

OrngeChat supports connecting to multiple servers at once. Each server is an independent instance that can be self-hosted or use the official hosted service.

Add a New Server

  1. Click the "+" button in the server tab bar at the top of the window.
  2. Enter the server address (URL) in the dialog. For example:
    https://chat.example.com
  3. Click "Add Server" to connect.
  4. You'll be prompted to either:
    • Log in if you already have an account on that server
    • Register to create a new account on that server
Account per Server

Each server has its own user database. If you connect to a new server, you'll need to create an account on that server even if you have accounts elsewhere.

Switching Between Servers

Once you've added multiple servers, switch between them using the tabs at the top of the window. Each server maintains its own session, so you can be logged into multiple servers simultaneously.

Removing a Server

To remove a server from your client:

  1. Hover over the server tab you want to remove.
  2. Click the X button that appears next to the server name.
  3. Confirm the removal when prompted.

This only removes the server from your client — your account on that server remains active.

4 Join the Official Server

The official OrngeChat instance is hosted at app.orngechat.site. This is the main community server maintained by the OrngeChat team.

How to Join

  1. Click the "+" button in the server tab bar.
  2. Enter the official server address:
    https://app.orngechat.site
  3. Click "Add Server".
  4. Click "Register" to create a new account, or "Log In" if you already have one.
  5. Fill in your details:
    • Username: Your display name (3–32 characters)
    • Email: Used for account recovery
    • Password: At least 8 characters
  6. Complete the registration and you're in!
End-to-End Encryption

After registration, you'll be prompted to set up encryption for your account. This ensures your direct messages are encrypted and only readable by you and the recipient. Make sure to save your recovery phrase!

Web Access

You can also access the official server directly in your browser without the desktop client:

Open Web App

5 Client Features

System Tray

OrngeChat minimizes to your system tray when you close the window. Right-click the tray icon to access:

  • Show OrngeChat — Restore the main window
  • Start with Windows — Toggle automatic startup
  • Check for Updates — Manually check for new versions
  • Quit — Fully exit the application

Auto Updates

The desktop client automatically checks for updates. When a new version is available, you'll see a notification with an option to download and install with a single click.

Native Notifications

Receive desktop notifications for new messages, mentions, and other activity even when the window is minimized. Clicking a notification takes you directly to the conversation.

Multi-Server Support

Connect to multiple OrngeChat servers simultaneously. Each server appears as a tab, making it easy to switch between different communities or self-hosted instances.

6 Troubleshooting

Windows SmartScreen Warning

If Windows shows "Windows protected your PC" when launching:

  1. Click "More info"
  2. Click "Run anyway"

This appears because the application hasn't been signed with a code-signing certificate. The application is safe to use.

Application Won't Start

  • Make sure you're running Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
  • Try running as Administrator (right-click → "Run as administrator")
  • Check if your antivirus is blocking the application
  • Re-download the application in case the file was corrupted

AppImage Won't Launch

  • Make sure the file is executable: chmod +x OrngeChat.AppImage
  • Install FUSE if missing: sudo apt install libfuse2 (Debian/Ubuntu) or sudo dnf install fuse-libs (Fedora)
  • Try running with --no-sandbox flag if you see sandbox errors

No Tray Icon

Some desktop environments (like GNOME) don't show tray icons by default. Install an AppIndicator extension:

No Desktop Entry

If OrngeChat doesn't appear in your application menu after using the install script, try logging out and back in, or run:

update-desktop-database ~/.local/share/applications/

Connection Issues

If you can't connect to a server:

  • Verify the server address is correct (include https://)
  • Check your internet connection
  • Make sure the server is online and accessible
  • Try accessing the server URL in your web browser

Lost Encryption Recovery Phrase

If you've lost your encryption recovery phrase and can't access your messages on a new device:

  • You can still log in and send new messages
  • Previous messages encrypted before the key was lost cannot be recovered
  • Consider setting up encryption again with a new recovery phrase
Important

Due to end-to-end encryption, we cannot recover your messages if you lose your recovery phrase. Always store it securely!