The Desktop App

The TestOwl Desktop App enables Local test execution by running your tests directly on your own machine.

You sign in with the same TestOwl account you use in the web application, and all of your projects, tests, and environments remain synchronized automatically.

Required only for Local runs

The TestOwl web application supports creating tests, recording, Cloud runs, and viewing reports without the desktop app. Install the desktop app only if you want to execute tests locally on your own machine.

Why run locally?

Local execution is useful when you need access to resources that are unavailable from the cloud or when debugging test behavior.

	Local	Cloud
Runs on	Your computer	TestOwl cloud infrastructure
Best for	Debugging, testing localhost or internal environments, and saving cloud run quota	Team collaboration, unattended execution, and running tests without keeping your computer online

When starting a run, the Local option is available only if the TestOwl Desktop App is installed and running.

For more information, see Triggering a Run.

Installing the Desktop App

The TestOwl Desktop App is available for:

macOS — Intel and Apple Silicon
Windows — x64 and ARM64
Linux — x64 and ARM64 (AppImage)

Download the latest version from https://testowl.ai/download.

All production installers are digitally signed to help verify their authenticity.

Signing in

Sign in using the same TestOwl account you use in your browser, including email/password or supported single sign-on (SSO) providers.

The desktop app uses the same projects, permissions, and account settings as the web application.

How Local runs work

When you start a Local run:

1
The desktop app receives the run request.
2
The test executes in a browser on your machine.
3
Screenshots, videos, logs, and execution results are captured locally.
4
The captured artifacts are uploaded automatically so they appear in the run report, just like a Cloud run.

The same Test Cases, Environments, and execution settings are used regardless of whether the run is Local or Cloud.

Keep the app running

The TestOwl Desktop App must remain open while a Local run is in progress. Closing the app or shutting down your computer will interrupt the run.

Automatic updates

The desktop app automatically checks for updates and installs the latest version, helping you stay compatible with new TestOwl features and improvements.

Security

The desktop app communicates securely with your TestOwl account and executes tests only after you initiate a Local run.

Sensitive information such as credentials and Secrets continues to be handled using TestOwl's existing security mechanisms.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Resolution
Local is not available when starting a run	Make sure the TestOwl Desktop App is installed, running, and signed in.
A Local run is stuck or disconnected	Verify that the desktop app is still running and your computer has not gone to sleep.
Video is missing from a Local run	During the first Local run, the desktop app downloads the required recording components. Ensure the app has an internet connection the first time it runs.