Embedded Server (Desktop App)
Host a Gryt server directly from the desktop app — one click, all platforms
The Gryt desktop app can host a full server locally. No separate install, no Docker, no command line — just click Create server and go.
How it works
The desktop app bundles the same Gryt signaling server and SFU media server used in Docker and standalone deployments. When you create an embedded server, the app:
- Generates a configuration with auto-detected free ports and a random JWT secret
- Spawns the SFU (Go binary) and signaling server (Node.js) as child processes
- Stores all data (SQLite database, uploads) in your app data directory
- Optionally advertises the server via mDNS for automatic LAN discovery
Creating a server
- Open the Gryt desktop app
- Click Add Server (the
+button in the server sidebar) - Under Host a server, enter a server name
- Toggle Discoverable on LAN if you want other Gryt users on your network to find it automatically
- Click Create server
- Once the status shows Running, click Connect
The server is now live and you're connected to it.
Managing your server
After creation, the embedded server panel shows:
- Status — Running (green) or Stopped (gray)
- Address —
127.0.0.1:<port>and the LAN address if discoverable - Start / Stop — manually control the server
- Start automatically with app — enable to resume hosting every time you launch Gryt
- Connect — join your server with one click
LAN party mode
With mDNS discovery enabled:
- You create a server with Discoverable on LAN enabled
- Friends open Gryt — your server appears automatically under Local servers in the Add Server dialog
- They click Connect — joined instantly, no invite codes or URLs needed
This works on the same Wi-Fi or wired LAN. No internet, port forwarding, or configuration required.
For the best LAN party experience, also enable Allow anyone on LAN to join in your server settings after connecting. This lets LAN users skip invite codes entirely.
Data storage
All server data is stored in your operating system's app data directory:
| Platform | Path |
|---|---|
| Windows | %APPDATA%\gryt-chat\gryt-server\ |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/gryt-chat/gryt-server/ |
| Linux | ~/.config/gryt-chat/gryt-server/ |
Inside this directory:
config.env— server configuration (ports, JWT secret, settings)data/— SQLite database and filesystem uploads
Remote access
By default, the embedded server listens on 0.0.0.0, making it accessible from other devices on your LAN. The LAN IP is shown in the server panel.
For internet access, you would need port forwarding and TLS. For production internet-facing deployments, consider Docker Compose or the Windows standalone bundle instead.
Platform support
The embedded server works on all platforms supported by the Gryt desktop app:
- Windows (x64) — may prompt for Windows Firewall access for incoming connections
- macOS (Apple Silicon + Intel) — SFU binary is code-signed and notarized with the app
- Linux (x64) — works in AppImage, deb, and Snap packages
On Snap, the network-bind plug is required for the server to accept incoming connections. This is included in the Gryt Snap package.
Troubleshooting
Server won't start: Check if ports 5000 and 5005 are already in use. The app auto-detects free ports, but if that fails, stop any conflicting services.
Other users can't connect: Ensure your firewall allows incoming TCP connections on the server port and UDP on the SFU port range (10000–10019).
mDNS discovery not working: Both devices must be on the same LAN subnet. Some corporate networks block mDNS traffic.