Desktop app
The desktop app runs the full platform locally — projects, the labeling editor, and your data live on your machine, with optional sync to the cloud when you're online. Built for unreliable connections: label all day offline, sync when the network shows up.
Download
| Platform | Download | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| macOS (Apple Silicon) | AfriAnnotate-mac.tar.xz | Signed + notarized — no Gatekeeper warnings |
| Windows (x64) | AfriAnnotate-windows-setup.exe | Signed installer |
| Windows (x64, MSI) | AfriAnnotate-windows.msi | For managed/IT deployments |
On a phone or tablet instead — get it from the stores (listings pending; see Install the mobile app):
macOS install
- Download and double-click the
.tar.xz(Archive Utility unpacks it), or from a terminal:tar -xf AfriAnnotate-mac.tar.xz. - Drag AfriAnnotate.app into
/Applications. - Launch it. First start takes a little longer — the app initialises its local database.
The bundle is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens without security warnings.
Windows install
Run the installer and follow the prompts. The app installs per-user — no administrator rights needed.
First run
- Work solo, fully offline — create a local account; nothing leaves your machine.
- Link to the cloud — sign in with your platform account to sync
selected projects between the desktop and
afriannotate.waraka.org. Linking asks for explicit consent about what is stored in the cloud.
See cloud sync for how per-project sync, conflict handling, and offline mode behave.