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Windows (WSL)

Run hordecode on Windows using WSL for the best experience.

While hordecode can run directly on Windows, we recommend using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for the best experience. WSL provides a Linux environment that works seamlessly with hordecode’s features.

Setup

  1. Install WSL

    If you haven’t already, install WSL using the official Microsoft guide.

  2. Install hordecode in WSL

    Once WSL is set up, open your WSL terminal and install hordecode using one of the installation methods.

    Terminal window
    curl -fsSL https://hordecode.com/install | bash

  3. Use hordecode from WSL

    Navigate to your project directory (access Windows files via /mnt/c/, /mnt/d/, etc.) and run hordecode.

    Terminal window
    cd /mnt/c/Users/YourName/project
    hordecode

Desktop App + WSL Server

If you prefer using the hordecode Desktop app but want to run the server in WSL:

  1. Start the server in WSL with --hostname 0.0.0.0 to allow external connections:

    Terminal window
    hordecode serve --hostname 0.0.0.0 --port 4096

  2. Connect the Desktop app to http://localhost:4096

Terminal window
OPENCODE_SERVER_PASSWORD=your-password hordecode serve --hostname 0.0.0.0

Web Client + WSL

For the best web experience on Windows:

  1. Run hordecode web in the WSL terminal rather than PowerShell:

    Terminal window
    hordecode web --hostname 0.0.0.0

  2. Access from your Windows browser at http://localhost:<port> (hordecode prints the URL)

Running hordecode web from WSL ensures proper file system access and terminal integration while still being accessible from your Windows browser.

Accessing Windows Files

WSL can access all your Windows files through the /mnt/ directory:

  • C: drive → /mnt/c/
  • D: drive → /mnt/d/
  • And so on…

Example:

Terminal window
cd /mnt/c/Users/YourName/Documents/project
hordecode

Tips

  • Keep hordecode running in WSL for projects stored on Windows drives - file access is seamless
  • Use VS Code’s WSL extension alongside hordecode for an integrated development workflow
  • Your hordecode config and sessions are stored within the WSL environment at ~/.local/share/hordecode/