Quick Start and setup guide.

Start with the macOS launcher, or use the manual Bash/Python path when you want to inspect and control the runtime directly.

Quick Start

  1. Download the macOS version.
  2. Open Team Chat Launcher.
  3. Start the local Hub.
  4. Create or join a team.
  5. Add contacts.
  6. Start chatting on your LAN.

Installation guide

Unzip the macOS download, move the app to Applications if you prefer, then open it from Finder. If macOS asks you to confirm opening an app from the internet, use Finder to open it and follow the system prompt.

Manual Setup

Advanced users can run the Bash/Python path directly. These commands keep the runtime visible and are useful for custom deployments.

python3 -m venv .venv
. .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
python -m pip install -r requirements.txt
python3 -m src.network.hub --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8080
python3 -m src.app.main --profile alice --transport network --hub 127.0.0.1:8080

Troubleshooting

App will not open

Confirm the zip is fully extracted, then open the app from Finder and follow the macOS confirmation prompt if shown.

Browser shows 404

Use the website preview script from the project root so the static server points at the website directory.

Hub will not start

Check Python dependencies, the selected project root, and whether the Hub port is already in use.

LAN devices are not discovered

Check that devices are on the same network and that firewall rules allow the Hub TCP port and UDP discovery port.

File sending fails

Confirm the temporary file service is running and that clients can reach the Hub host.

Permission or firewall issue

Allow the app and Python runtime through local firewall prompts, then retry the Hub connection.