Download
Openhouse app icon

Getting started with Openhouse

Turn any project on your Mac into a link anyone can open, in about 30 seconds. No account needed.

Step 1

Install

  1. Download Openhouse and open the file.
  2. Drag Openhouse into your Applications folder.
  3. Open it. The first time, macOS asks you to confirm. Click Open.

Openhouse opens its window straight away so you can get going.

Download for Mac

Want pictures? See the step-by-step install guide.

Step 2

Find your project

Openhouse shows the projects on your Mac by itself. Anything you're already working on appears in the list, so there's nothing to point it at.

Not there yet? Start it in your coding tool, such as Cursor or Claude Code, and it appears within a few seconds. You can also choose Add Folder and pick the project's folder.

Step 3

Press play

Find your project and press the play button. Openhouse gets it ready and puts it online. As soon as it's live, the link is copied for you.

Step 4

Share it

Paste the link anywhere: a message, an email, a post. Whoever opens it sees your project running live from your Mac, on any device. When you change something, they see it next time they refresh.

Want it on your phone? Open Share Options and scan the QR code.

Step 5

You're in control

Pause
The link stays yours, but visitors see a friendly paused page until you press play again.
Stop sharing
Removes the link completely.
Share for
1 hour, until tonight, or until you stop. The link pauses itself when time's up.

Nothing is online unless you choose. When your Mac is asleep or offline, or you've paused, visitors see the paused page.

Good to know

Your Mac stays awake while anything is live
So your links keep working while you share. As soon as nothing is live, your Mac goes back to its usual sleep settings.
Closing the lid pauses your links
They come back by themselves when your Mac is awake and online again, as long as their share time hasn't run out.
Your first hour is free
Only time a project is live counts, so you can spread it over several shares. After that it's £7.99 a month or £80 a year per seat. The yearly plan works out at two months free.
Your Mac asks for your password the first time
That's macOS checking it's OK for Openhouse to read its own sign-in details, which it keeps in your keychain. Nothing leaves your Mac and we never see your password. Enter it and click Always Allow, and you won't be asked again.

Need a hand?

Email openhouse@thedoidea.co and we'll help you get set up.