Granular Granular

Granular on Windows: what to expect in the beta

In short

The Windows version does everything the Mac version does, with a few differences: shortcuts use Ctrl instead of Cmd, updates are download-and-run for now, and you’ll see a one-time security warning on install. It’s a beta, so expect a few rough edges.

Updated 2026-09-04

It’s a beta — and your feedback helps

The Windows build has been field-tested on Windows 11, but it’s newer than the Mac version, so you may run into the occasional rough edge. If something looks off or doesn’t work, please tell us — it genuinely speeds up the fixes:

If you haven’t installed yet, start with Install Granular on Windows.

Keyboard shortcuts use Ctrl

Everything works the same as on Mac, except you press Ctrl where the Mac uses Cmd. The most useful ones:

  • Ctrl+T — start a new session.
  • Ctrl+J — show or hide the terminal panel.
  • Ctrl+1 to Ctrl+9 — jump to a session in the current project (by its position in the list).
  • Ctrl+K — open the command palette (search and run any command).
  • Ctrl+Enter — send your message. (In the chat box, plain Enter also sends, and Shift+Enter adds a new line.)

On-screen shortcut hints throughout the app automatically show “Ctrl…” on Windows, so you don’t have to remember the swap.

How updates work

On the Mac, Granular installs updates for you automatically. On Windows during the beta, updates are download-and-run: Granular lets you know when a new version is available, and you download and run the new installer yourself (the same short setup as your first install).

The reason is the same one behind the install warning below: the Windows build isn’t code-signed yet, so automatic install is switched off for now. It’s planned to change once signing is in place.

The one-time security warning

The first time you run a new installer, Windows shows a blue “Windows protected your PC” box (SmartScreen). You clear it once with More info → Run anyway. It appears briefly, once per new install, because the beta isn’t code-signed — it is not a virus warning. Full steps and the why are on the install page.

Other things to know

  • The built-in terminal uses PowerShell. On Windows, each session’s terminal runs Windows PowerShell (on Mac it’s your default shell). Chatting in plain English works exactly the same; this only matters if you type commands yourself.
  • Codex and Gemini command-line tools aren’t detected yet. In this beta, Granular may report the Codex and Gemini CLIs as “not installed” on Windows even when they are. Your Claude login and the Granular AI add-on are unaffected. A fix is on the list.
  • A few settings still say “this Mac.” Some wording hasn’t caught up with the Windows build yet. It’s cosmetic — the features behave correctly on your PC.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Windows version stable?
It’s a beta: field-tested on Windows 11, but newer than the Mac build, so expect the occasional rough edge. Please report anything you hit in the Granular Discord community or by email at hello@buildwithomar.com.
How do updates work on Windows?
For now, updates are download-and-run: Granular tells you when a new version is available and you download and run the new installer yourself. The Mac app installs updates automatically; the Windows build doesn’t yet, because it’s unsigned.
Do keyboard shortcuts work the same as on Mac?
Yes, with one change: use the Ctrl key where the Mac uses Cmd — for example Ctrl+T for a new session and Ctrl+K for the command palette.

Related

Install Granular on Windows (beta)
Download the .exe, get past the one-time Windows security warning safely, install, and open Granular from the Start menu. Free to start.
Your first session in Granular
Start a session, chat your goal in plain English, and watch an AI agent do the work in a real terminal. Here is exactly what to expect the first time.
The interface
Granular has four core surfaces, chat, terminal, preview, and docs. Here is what each one does and when to use it.