Anode v0.6.0

Install Anode on Windows

Download anode-windows-x64.zip below for the portable executable, agent connector and docs.
Release builds include .NET; no SDK or runtime installation is needed.

For a per-user installation with PATH setup, download install.ps1 and run it in PowerShell:

powershell -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\install.ps1

Open a new terminal, then:

anode doctor | Out-Host
anode setup | Out-Host
anode configure | Out-Host
anode start --hidden | Out-Host
anode capabilities | Out-Host

configure finds installed Codex and Claude Code CLIs, backs up their settings, and installs
the discoverable anode-desktop skill. Use --no-skill for MCP registration alone.
Restart the agent afterward. Other MCP clients can launch anode.exe with the argument mcp.

What's new in 0.6.0

A clearer viewer and a new icon. The mark has a symmetric diagonal cursor. The viewer adds
consistent dark and high-contrast colors, clearer input and connection labels, and copyable status
details. Stop, Release control and Exit full screen remain visible in full screen. Connections
refuse to proceed if the desktop pointer guard cannot be installed.

More reliable agent connections. Duplicate JSON fields and malformed Unicode are rejected
without ending the connection. Cancelled requests cannot start or cancel jobs, while commands
already started remain recoverable. Command output uses UTF-8 and preserves Unicode characters
across buffer, pagination and history boundaries.

Better agent discovery. All 32 tools have titles, bounded argument schemas and explicit
annotations. Server instructions and the installed skill lead with the desktop lease workflow.
The desktop_test and desktop_guide prompts provide reusable workflows. Screenshot results no
longer duplicate their control trees, which could cause clients to discard the image.

Installation and packaging. Installation works when an agent runner omits the OS environment
variable. Packages include .NET 8.0.31, verified checksums and build-provenance attestations.
The Claude Code plugin marketplace and Scoop bucket provide additional installation options.

Upgrading (breaking for scripts and agents): Only seat_start and seat_lease acquisition
start a desktop over MCP. Status and diagnostics never start one, and stale leases cannot restart
Anode after the user quits. The CLI rejects unknown options and malformed arguments with exit code
2 before acting. Job maxChars counts Unicode code points; reuse output cursors exactly as returned.
Desktop work still requires a lease; see
multiple agents.

Before updating, save seat work, run anode quit (it closes every program in the seat) and close
MCP clients using Anode; the installer refuses to replace a running executable. Install the new
version, start Anode again so both the daemon and seat host use the new build, and run
anode configure to update the installed skill.
See the agent guide.

Validation and limits. The candidate passed all 51 local quick checks, package/installation
checks and live Windows Forms/WPF and Chrome tests on Windows 11 Pro 25H2, including delivered
mouse/keyboard input. The dedicated live pointer-isolation test was deferred to keep the user's
desktop/session available; its quick regression checks passed. Broader Windows, DPI, screen-reader
and client compatibility checks remain outstanding. See the
validation record.

Requires 64-bit Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise or Education, or Windows Server with a Remote Desktop
host. Windows Home is unsupported. ARM64 is not validated; this package targets x64.
setup asks for administrator permission to enable Remote Desktop and child sessions.
It does not add firewall rules; it can restart Remote Desktop Services.

The installer verifies SHA256SUMS before installing the archive. Binaries and scripts are
currently unsigned; Windows may display a SmartScreen warning. Checksums detect corruption and do
not establish publisher identity. Review the source and your organization's policy before running.

See installation, updates and removal,
agent configuration,
and the changelog.