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Apps Overview

packages/docs/apps/overview.md

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Eliza is available across all primary platforms. Each app connects to the same agent runtime, giving you a consistent experience whether you're at your desk or on your phone.

Available Apps

<CardGroup cols={2}> <Card title="Desktop App" icon="desktop" href="/apps/desktop"> Electrobun-based desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux with native OS integration and embedded runtime. </Card> <Card title="Mobile App" icon="mobile" href="/apps/mobile"> iOS and Android app built with Capacitor, featuring native plugins and push notifications. </Card> <Card title="Dashboard" icon="browser" href="/apps/dashboard"> Web-based management interface for agent configuration, monitoring, and analytics. </Card> </CardGroup>

Architecture

All apps share a common connection pattern:

┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐
│  Desktop App │     │  Mobile App  │     │   Dashboard  │
└──────┬───────┘     └──────┬───────┘     └──────┬───────┘
       │                    │                    │
       └────────────┬───────┴──────────────┬─────┘
                    │                      │
              ┌─────▼──────┐         ┌────▼──────┐
              │  Agent API  │         │  Runtime  │
              │  (REST/WS)  │         │  Services │
              └─────────────┘         └───────────┘
  • Desktop embeds the runtime directly (offline-capable)
  • Mobile connects via REST API
  • Dashboard uses REST + WebSocket for real-time updates

Standalone Apps vs. App Plugins

Eliza has two distinct types of "apps" — understanding the difference prevents confusion.

Standalone Apps (Platforms)

These are the independent applications listed above. Each is a complete, pre-built application that connects to the agent runtime. You install them once and they provide the UI for interacting with your agent.

App Plugins (Game/Experience Apps)

These are elizaOS plugins with names like @hyperscape/plugin-hyperscape that are installed through the Dashboard's Apps browser. When launched:

  1. The plugin is installed into the agent runtime
  2. The agent connects to an external service (e.g., a metaverse, a game server)
  3. The Dashboard embeds the service UI in a sandboxed iframe
  4. The agent can interact with the service alongside you
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Dashboard                          │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────┐    │
│  │  iframe (sandboxed)         │    │
│  │  ┌───────────────────────┐  │    │
│  │  │  External Service UI  │  │    │
│  │  │  (e.g., Hyperscape)   │  │    │
│  │  └───────────────────────┘  │    │
│  └─────────────────────────────┘    │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────┐    │
│  │  Agent Logs Panel           │    │
│  └─────────────────────────────┘    │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

App plugins are discovered via the Plugin Registry and filtered by the app- prefix in their package name. They are managed through the Apps API.

<Note> Plugins do **not** inject custom UI components into the Dashboard. Plugin configuration uses schema-driven forms (via `@elizaos/plugin-ui`), not dynamically loaded components. Only app plugins with a `viewer.url` get embedded as iframes. </Note>

Key Differences

Standalone AppsApp Plugins
What they arePre-built platform clientsPlugins that connect to external services
How you get themInstall once (binary/extension)Install from Apps browser in Dashboard
UI locationIndependent window/appEmbedded iframe in Dashboard
Runtime relationshipConnects to runtime via APIRuns inside the runtime as a plugin
ExamplesDesktop, Mobile, DashboardHyperscape, 2004scape
Package namingN/A@elizaos/app-*

Choosing a Standalone App

NeedBest App
Full offline capabilityDesktop
On-the-go accessMobile
Browser automationDesktop or Dashboard with browser-capable plugins
Team managementDashboard