Installing Gubbins

Installing Gubbins

Gubbins runs in your web browser — there's nothing to download to use it. But installing it as an app gives you a proper window, offline reliability, and features like notifications. This page covers both.

Just open it

Gubbins is a web app: open it in a modern browser and you're running. Because it's local-first, your data stays on your device from the very first item.

Supported browsers

Gubbins uses modern browser storage (OPFS) and needs a cross-origin-isolated context, which current versions of major browsers provide. It's tested on Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge) and works across current mainstream browsers; some advanced features degrade gracefully where a browser doesn't support them (for example, notifications are limited on iOS).

Install it as an app (recommended)

Gubbins is an installable PWA. Use your browser's Install option (often an icon in the address bar, or a menu item) to add it to your device. Installed, Gubbins:

• Opens in its own window, like a native app.
• Shows an offline indicator and keeps working with no connection.
• Can send reminder notifications.
• Supports kiosk / tablet mode with a screen wake-lock.

💡 Tip After installing, grant persistent storage if your browser asks — it stops the browser from evicting your data when the device is low on space. See Storage triage.

⚠️ Heads-up Your inventory is stored by the browser for the site you installed from. Don't "clear site data" for Gubbins unless you mean to erase it, and keep a backup. Installing on a new device starts empty — bring your data with cloud sync or a backup.

Staying up to date

As an installed app, Gubbins updates itself in the background and lets you know when a new version is ready, so you're always current without visiting a store.

What next?

• Quick start — add your first item.
• Core concepts — the model behind the app.
• Cloud sync — use Gubbins across devices.