> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.useshape.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Local development

> Run the desktop app on your machine.

You need Node.js 18 or newer, and a current Rust toolchain for [Tauri 2](https://v2.tauri.app/start/prerequisites/).

This is how you run a local build. It is not how you use Shape day to day. For that, install the app from [download](/download).

## Install dependencies

```bash theme={null}
npm install
```

Run this at the repo root the README names for the desktop app. If the monorepo has more than one package, follow that README, not this page, for the exact folder.

## Run the app

```bash theme={null}
npm run tauri:dev
```

That opens the desktop app against your local build. The first run compiles Rust and takes longer.

## Cloud while developing

A local build can edit files. It cannot sign in to Shape Cloud. Use an official installer if you need chat against a real account.

Do not expect a forked build to pass sign-in. That is expected, not a setup bug.

## Tests

```bash theme={null}
npm run test
```

`npm run test:all` also runs the Rust tests. Run the suite that matches the files you touched.

## Sending the change

Commit on a branch and open a pull request against `main`. Keep the diff focused. See [Overview](/docs/developing/overview).


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