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Protocol Handler Setup

The Annex desktop app registers the annex:// protocol handler automatically during installation. When you click an "Open in Annex" link, your browser should launch the desktop app directly.

If it's not working

Try these steps in order:

Restart your browser. Protocol handler registrations may not take effect until you close and reopen your browser completely.
Reinstall Annex. The installer registers the protocol handler with your OS. A fresh install will re-register it.
Check your default apps settings (see OS-specific instructions below).

Windows

The Annex installer (.exe) registers the annex:// protocol in the Windows Registry automatically. If it doesn't work:

Open Settings → Apps → Default Apps
Scroll down and click "Choose defaults by protocol"
Find ANNEX in the list and set it to the Annex desktop app

macOS

The Annex app bundle (.dmg) includes the protocol handler registration in its Info.plist. macOS should pick it up automatically after first launch. If not:

Open Annex once from your Applications folder
Try the invite link again in Safari or your default browser
If still not working, run: /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user in Terminal, then relaunch Annex

Linux

The AppImage registers via a .desktop file. If your desktop environment doesn't pick it up:

Create or verify ~/.local/share/applications/annex.desktop contains:

      [Desktop Entry]
Name=Annex
Exec=/path/to/annex-desktop %u
Type=Application
MimeType=x-scheme-handler/annex;
    

Then run: xdg-mime default annex.desktop x-scheme-handler/annex

Don't have Annex?

Download the desktop app for your platform:

Windows (.exe) macOS (.dmg) Linux (.AppImage)