Download Sparse
The desktop app is free and self-contained, with no separate Node or CLI install, and it updates itself. Bring an OpenRouter key or a local Ollama model.
Download for macOS
Free. macOS on Apple Silicon. Updates itself.
Download for Windows
Free. Windows on x64. Updates itself.
macOS
Apple Silicon
Sparse-<version>-arm64.dmg
Disk image. Drag Sparse into Applications.
Windows
x64
Sparse Setup <version>.exe
Installer. Adds Sparse to the Start menu.
Command line and MCP
Needs Node 24 or later. Run sparse (or cr) to start. Also installs sparse-mcp for any MCP host.
npm install -g sparse-cliBuilds aren't code-signed yet
On macOS, right-click the app, choose Open, then confirm. On Windows, if SmartScreen appears, click More info, then Run anyway.
Next steps
Follow the quick start, or add Sparse to VS Code and Cursor.