Introduction
Welcome to VortexHQ — your all-in-one developer command center. This guide will help you get started.
What is VortexHQ?
VortexHQ is a cross-platform desktop application that combines six essential developer tools into a single, beautifully designed interface:
- Email — Local SMTP server with inbox, HTML preview, spam analysis, bounce/DKIM/SPF detection, and AI summaries
- API Client — Full-featured HTTP client with collections, environments, scripting, cloud sync, and cluster overview dashboards
- SSH Terminal — Multi-tab SSH with xterm.js, snippets, SFTP integration, and AI-powered command generation
- SQL Client — MySQL & PostgreSQL client with query editor, table management, SSH tunnels, and AI-powered SQL generation
- FTP / SFTP — File browser with drag-and-drop uploads, permissions management, file sync, and multiple protocol support
- AI Engine — 7 AI providers (Vortex, OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, Groq, Ollama, Custom) integrated across every module
System Requirements
| Platform | Requirement |
|---|---|
| macOS | macOS 12 (Monterey) or later — Intel & Apple Silicon (universal binary) |
| Windows | Windows 10 or later — x64 |
| Linux | AppImage or .deb package |
Installation
- Download the latest version from the Downloads section
- Open the
.dmg(macOS), run the.exeinstaller (Windows), or launch the.AppImage(Linux) - Launch VortexHQ — the setup wizard will generate SSL certificates for your local SMTP server and configure system trust
- Sign in or create a free account to unlock cloud features
First Launch
On first launch, VortexHQ opens to the Home screen — your AI command center with quick actions and usage overview. Switch between modules using the sidebar icons:
| Shortcut | Module |
|---|---|
| Cmd+1 | |
| Cmd+2 | SSH Terminal |
| Cmd+3 | FTP / SFTP |
| Cmd+4 | API Client |
| Cmd+5 | SQL Client |
At the bottom of the sidebar you'll find Notifications, Account, and Settings (Cmd+,). Sidebar tabs can be hidden or reordered from Settings → General.
Deep Links
VortexHQ registers the vortexhq:// protocol, allowing you to trigger actions from your browser or other apps — such as social login callbacks or shared cluster links.
Auto-Updates
VortexHQ checks for updates automatically. When a new version is available, you'll see a notification in Settings → General with options to download and install. Updates install automatically when you quit the app.