Desktop App Setup Guide

The IBM i AI Platform Desktop Application is a high-performance, native surface for single-user environments. This guide covers system requirements, installation, and configuration.

1. System Requirements

Operating System

  • Windows: Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit).
  • macOS: macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer.
  • Linux: Ubuntu 22.04+ or equivalent (requires libsecret for secure credential storage).

Hardware

  • Processor: Intel Core i5 / Apple M1 or equivalent.
  • Memory: 8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended for deep diagnostics).
  • Storage: 500MB available space for the application and localized cache.

2. Installation

Download the appropriate installer for your platform from the releases page and run it. The app will create a local profile folder for configuration and cache on first launch.

3. Connectivity

The Desktop App connects directly to your IBM i partition and your chosen AI provider. For detailed setup instructions, see Setup & Connectivity. The requirements below are specific to the workstation running the app.

IBM i Access

  • ODBC Driver: The IBM i Access ODBC Driver must be installed on your workstation.
  • Required Ports: Ensure your workstation can reach the IBM i on:
    • ODBC/SQL: 449, 8470-8476, 9470-9476
    • SSH: Port 22

AI Provider

  • Cloud Providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.): Outbound HTTPS access from the workstation to the provider's API.
  • Local Models (Ollama / LM Studio): Connectivity to the local port (e.g., localhost:11434).

4. Security

Credential Storage

The Desktop App uses the native OS keychain (Windows Credential Manager, macOS Keychain, or Linux Secret Service) to store your IBM i passwords and AI API keys. These are encrypted at rest and never leave your machine.

Local Data

A small local cache is maintained for conversation history and indexed system metadata. This data is stored in your user profile and is not shared with the IBM i Hub or any third-party services.

5. Troubleshooting

IssueQuick Check
Terminal tools failRun STRTCPSVR SERVER(*SSH) on your IBM i to verify the SSH server is active.
ODBC connection failsUse your operating system's ODBC Data Source Administrator to test a connection to your partition outside of the app.
Firewall blockingEnsure your local firewall allows the application to make outbound connections.
Credential not savedVerify your OS keychain service is unlocked and accessible.

For deeper connectivity issues, refer to the Setup & Connectivity troubleshooting section.