Install

Desktop app

Download the latest installer from the releases page.

Platform	File
macOS (Apple Silicon)	Sparse-<version>-arm64.dmg
Windows (x64)	Sparse Setup <version>.exe

The app is self-contained. It bundles the daemon, so you don’t need a separate Node or CLI install. It also updates itself: when a new version is out, a card appears in the bottom-left corner with Update and Later.

Builds aren’t code-signed yet

On macOS, right-click the app, choose Open, and confirm. On Windows, if SmartScreen appears, click More info, then Run anyway.

Intel Macs aren’t built yet. On other platforms, use the CLI.

CLI

Requires Node 24 or later (Sparse uses Node’s built-in SQLite).

npm install -g sparse-cli
sparse          # or the short alias: cr

The first launch walks you through adding your OpenRouter key. To try it without a global install, run npx sparse-cli.

sparse app opens the desktop app from the terminal.

VS Code and Cursor

The extension adds a Sparse side chat beside your editor. It needs the desktop app or the CLI installed so it can start the daemon. See VS Code and Cursor.