---
title: "Get started"
description: "Privacy-first, open-source alternative to Claude Cowork."
---

<Note>
**OpenWork stays free when you use it locally.** Download the desktop app, connect your own model provider, and add custom MCP servers without signing in to OpenWork Cloud. Sign in only when you want organization-managed providers, skills, connections, or policies. See [OpenWork Cloud](/cloud/get-started) for those team features.
</Note>

Most people should start with the [OpenWork app](https://openworklabs.com/download). It lets you use your own LLMs, skills, plugins, and MCP servers locally, then add Cloud when your team needs shared management.

## Start

Get started by connecting your LLM provider of choice and sending your first message:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Connect a provider" icon="plug" href="/start-here/connect-your-stack/sign-in-with-chatgpt">
    Sign in with ChatGPT or bring your own LLM key in a few clicks.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Connect your services" icon="plug" href="/start-here/connect-your-stack/connect-services">
    Join an OpenWork Cloud organization, then connect the managed services it makes available.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Control the browser" icon="globe" href="/start-here/do-work-with-it/control-the-browser">
    Let OpenWork run and screenshot tasks in Chrome for you.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Choose your setup

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Download OpenWork" icon="download" href="https://openworklabs.com/download">
    Start free with the desktop app, your own provider, and no OpenWork Cloud account.
  </Card>
  <Card title="OpenWork Cloud" icon="users" href="/cloud/get-started">
    For teams: Collections, managed connections and models, organization policies, and hosted workspaces.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Enterprise" icon="building" href="/cloud/enterprise">
    Get support with an enterprise deployment if you need a private rollout or custom requirements.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

---

[GitHub](https://github.com/different-ai/openwork) · [Changelog](/changelog) · [Product Roadmap](/roadmap) · [Missing docs](/start-here/missing-docs) · [Missing languages](/start-here/missing-languages)