RShift Sites is available as a native desktop application for macOS and Windows. You get everything in the web app plus local MCP server support, multi-project tabs, and keyboard shortcuts.
Requirements
- macOS 12 or later (Apple Silicon or Intel) or Windows
- A RShift Sites account. The desktop app is available on all plans, including Free, at no extra cost.
Download
Download RShift Sites for macOS
Download the latest version of RShift Sites Desktop for macOS.
Download RShift Sites for Windows
Download the latest version of RShift Sites Desktop for Windows.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Action | macOS | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| Open search (command palette) | Cmd+K |
Ctrl+K |
| New project tab | Cmd+T |
Ctrl+T |
| Close current tab | Cmd+W |
— |
| Reopen closed tab | Cmd+Shift+T |
Ctrl+Shift+T |
| Switch to tab 1–9 | Cmd+1 through Cmd+9 |
Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+9 |
| Open current page in browser | Cmd+Shift+O |
Ctrl+Shift+O |
| Find in page | Cmd+F |
Ctrl+F |
| Find next | Cmd+G |
Ctrl+G |
| Find previous | Cmd+Shift+G |
Ctrl+Shift+G |
| Zoom in | Cmd+= |
Ctrl+= |
| Zoom out | Cmd+- |
Ctrl+- |
| Reset zoom | Cmd+0 |
Ctrl+0 |
| Preferences | Cmd+, |
Ctrl+, |
The desktop app has no address bar. To copy a project’s link, click the project name in the editor and choose Copy project link. To open a project from a copied link, open search with Cmd+K (Ctrl+K on Windows) and paste the link. See Open a project by ID or URL.
Cmd or Ctrl+click a project (or middle-click) to open it in a background tab without leaving the current one, the same way links work in a browser. Add Shift (Cmd or Ctrl+Shift+click) to open it in a focused tab instead. This works for projects opened from within the desktop app.
Right-click a tab to open a context menu with Close Tab, Close Other Tabs, Close All Tabs, and Reopen Closed Tab. The home tab cannot be closed, so its menu only shows Close All Tabs and Reopen Closed Tab. Bulk-closed tabs go into the reopen history, so Cmd+Shift+T (Ctrl+Shift+T on Windows) or Reopen Closed Tab restores them one by one.
Preview permissions
When you preview an app in the desktop app, some browser features ask for your permission the first time an app uses them. Each prompt is scoped to that specific app. You can allow or deny the request, and you can select always allow so that app does not ask again.
- Clipboard: an app can copy to your clipboard without asking. The first time an app tries to read from your clipboard, RShift Sites asks you to allow or deny it.
- Location: the first time an app requests your location, RShift Sites asks you to allow or deny it.
MCP servers
The desktop app supports both remote MCP servers and local MCP servers.
Remote MCP servers work the same as in the web app. Open Connectors and select a chat connector to connect cloud-based tools like Notion, Linear, or Jira. See Chat connectors for the full list and setup instructions.
Local MCP servers connect to tools running directly on your machine. The most common examples are Figma Desktop and Paper, which expose a local MCP server when running on your computer. Connecting them lets the RShift Sites agent read your design files, inspect components, and use that context while building your app.
Connect Figma
Enable MCP in Figma Desktop
Open the Figma desktop app and open any Design file. Switch to Dev Mode (</> toggle in the bottom toolbar, or press Shift+D), then click Enable desktop MCP server.
Enable in RShift Sites
In the RShift Sites desktop app, open Connectors → Local MCP servers. Figma appears in the list. Click Enable, then approve when prompted.
Connect Paper
Open Paper
Make sure Paper is installed and running on your machine.
Enable in RShift Sites
Open Connectors → Local MCP servers. Paper appears in the list. Click Enable, then approve when prompted.
When connected, you can reference your local designs directly in chat. For example:
Build the onboarding flow based on the designs in my Figma file, matching the colors, typography, and component layout exactly.Add a custom local MCP server
You can connect any MCP server running locally on your machine, such as a custom internal tool or a locally hosted service.
Open local MCP settings
Open Connectors → Local MCP servers and click Custom MCP.
Enter server details
Give the server a name and enter the connection details: a command and arguments for a local process, or a URL for a local HTTP server.
Add and approve
Click Add server, then approve the connection when prompted.
Security and approvals
When a local MCP server requests access for the first time, the desktop app prompts you to approve it. You can review and remove connected local servers at any time in Connectors → Local MCP servers.
FAQ
Is the desktop app free to download?
Yes. The desktop app is free to download and uses your existing RShift Sites account and plan. All plans, credits, and workspace settings carry over.
Does the desktop app work offline?
The RShift Sites agent requires an internet connection to run. If you lose connectivity, the app shows an offline message and resumes normally once your connection is restored.
How do updates work?
The desktop app checks for updates automatically. When a new version is available, it downloads in the background and installs the next time you quit the app. For critical updates, you may be prompted to update before continuing.
What is the difference between local MCP servers and chat connectors?
Chat connectors (available in both the web app and desktop app) connect to remote cloud services like Notion, Linear, or Jira. Local MCP servers (desktop app only) connect to tools running directly on your machine, such as Figma Desktop or Paper. Local servers are only reachable from your computer, which is why they require the desktop app.
Figma or Paper isn’t detected automatically. What should I do?
For Figma, make sure you have a Design file open in Dev Mode and that you clicked Enable desktop MCP server inside Figma. For Paper, make sure the app is running. If the connector still does not appear in RShift Sites, restart the RShift Sites desktop app. You can also add the server manually under Connectors → Local MCP servers → Custom MCP.
Can I use the same account on desktop and web at the same time?
Yes. Your RShift Sites account works across desktop and web simultaneously. Projects, credits, and settings are shared.