# Desktop Client **URL:** \ **Category:** Automation Ideas\ **Created:** [May 28, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156 "2014-05-28T21:27:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![matthewcingram](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/matthewcingram/32/12316_2.png) [@matthewcingram](https://community.smartthings.com/u/matthewcingram)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/1 "2014-05-28T21:27:21Z")
I would like to see a desktop app for controlling SmartThings (that lives in the menubar). I discovered an application that lets me do some simple turning on and off of switches; however, I would like a company supported one. I have a desktop server that runs all the time at home so I have some feature requests below. **Ideas I had for the app include:** Webcam implementation - Turn your desktop webcam into a instant “Dropcam” that takes photos based on triggers from other devices (motion, sensors, etc). Store photos taken from all webcam devices to the hard drive (Dropcam Connect) so they are easily saved for security purposes. Audio implementation - Similar to the Sonos integration, but directly from your desktop. Simple device control - Lights/switches on/off, etc - device setup can still be left to the SmartThings App ---
**Author:** ![Ben](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/ben/32/59111_2.png) [@Ben](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Ben)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/2 "2014-05-28T23:12:50Z")
That sounds cool and we are planning for apps on both Mac and Windows-based PCs. Which would you be looking for? ---
**Author:** ![matthewcingram](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/matthewcingram/32/12316_2.png) [@matthewcingram](https://community.smartthings.com/u/matthewcingram)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2014, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/3 "2014-05-28T23:38:35Z")
I’m a Mac user myself. 🙂 I just thought that type of integration would be practical for a lot of users who do not want to invest in other devices that can be expensive and most likely already have a webcam and speakers for their desktop. ---
**Author:** ![HixVAC](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/hixvac/32/11634_2.png) [@HixVAC](https://community.smartthings.com/u/HixVAC)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/4 "2014-05-29T15:23:18Z")
I’d definitely be interested in this as well, but for PC (just purchased my SmartThings setup yesterday and it’ll be here today, booyah!). Wouldn’t it be easier/more logical to have a web app instead of a desktop app through, to be accessed via browser? I’m not a pro in either world so I couldn’t tell you for sure…just seems easier. ---
**Author:** ![matthewcingram](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/matthewcingram/32/12316_2.png) [@matthewcingram](https://community.smartthings.com/u/matthewcingram)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/5 "2014-05-29T15:36:10Z")
A web app would be easier for simply turning things on and off; however, I would think you would need an actual piece of software to implement my top two ideas, else you would have keep the browser open all the time or face losing the webcam and audio features. ---
**Author:** ![HixVAC](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/hixvac/32/11634_2.png) [@HixVAC](https://community.smartthings.com/u/HixVAC)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/6 "2014-05-29T16:21:30Z")
Ahhh, my fault. Agreed! Or implementation of running a program/command line (along the lines of audio). +1 This for sure. ---
**Author:** ![kastork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@kastork](https://community.smartthings.com/u/kastork)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/7 "2014-08-01T15:20:12Z")
ST is so compelling because it is, so far, quite developer friendly. Keep this going by making a REST API plus some way to subscribe to events and have them pushed, like over a websocket or (more scalable) a Pusher ([http://pusher.com/](http://pusher.com/)) or PubNub ([http://www.pubnub.com/](http://www.pubnub.com/)) or AWS SNS channel, or even some generic AMQP service. And (or), publish SDK’s for Windows, Java and OSX developers. If such things were available, then you would soon get a whole ecosystem of apps and integrations created by third parties. After that, “official” desktop apps from ST with notification support would be great. ---
**Author:** ![keeppace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@keeppace](https://community.smartthings.com/u/keeppace)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/8 "2014-11-06T17:59:34Z")
Ben Any ETA on the Mac/Windows Client ? ---
**Author:** ![Ben](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/ben/32/59111_2.png) [@Ben](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Ben)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2014, 4:57am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/9 "2014-11-07T04:57:53Z")
None yet. If I were s betting man though I would bet Windows would come out first because the way Windows 8 development works. ---
**Author:** ![jnhearne](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jnhearne/32/13335_2.png) [@jnhearne](https://community.smartthings.com/u/jnhearne)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/10 "2014-12-04T18:06:02Z")
I agree. A web app would be much easier. Nest does not use any install applications, just log on through [home.nest.com](http://home.nest.com). This would be much more platform compatible @Ben ---
**Author:** ![iakoubtchik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/iakoubtchik/32/66091_2.png) [@iakoubtchik](https://community.smartthings.com/u/iakoubtchik)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/11 "2014-12-18T17:30:46Z")
Ben What’s being planned for the Desktop client? Will it be similar to the ActiON Dashboard or will it have configuration options as well? ---
**Author:** ![natemare13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@natemare13](https://community.smartthings.com/u/natemare13)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/12 "2014-12-21T15:25:21Z")
+1 for a desktop app. Windows user myself but both would be very valuable to have ---
**Author:** ![hscox030](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/hscox030/32/16213_2.png) [@hscox030](https://community.smartthings.com/u/hscox030)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/13 "2015-01-04T17:54:46Z")
I absolutely vote for a PC desktop app. ---
**Author:** ![Kodiak](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/kodiak/32/12960_2.png) [@Kodiak](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Kodiak)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2015, 3:50am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/14 "2015-01-05T03:50:58Z")
I also vote for a webapp - this would also allow for control via tablets as well! I’m a mac household personally, but a webapp (should) be platform agnostic right? ---
**Author:** ![joshua\_lyon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/joshua_lyon/32/12655_2.png) [@joshua\_lyon](https://community.smartthings.com/u/joshua_lyon)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/15 "2015-01-07T03:26:09Z")
For those asking for a web app, have you seen the ActiON Dashboard? It’s a cool web based dashboard written by community developer @625alex It’s a pretty simple install of a SmartApp and all runs in the SmartThings cloud. > [@ActiON Dashboard 4.6.3 is here! (Now SmartTiles.click)](http://community.smartthings.com/t/action-dashboard-4-3-is-here/8149): > > [http://action-dashboard.github.io](http://action-dashboard.github.io) Visit project’s home page to download SmartApp and view installation instructions. What is it? ActiON Dashboard is a fast and light web client for SmartThings. It is designed to run in any modern browser, regardless of operating system or screen size. ActiON Dashboard SmartApp easily installs in 2 minutes. Create as many instances as you need and pick relevant devices for each dashboard. ActiON Dashboard has no dependency on the SmartThings Mobile app or third party services. What is it for? Install as a native app to your smartphone to for a quick, user friendly access to your devices. Install on a wall-mounted tablet as a whole-house control panel. Create dashboards, as needed, for your family and friends and decide what they are allowe… ---
**Author:** ![kg4fku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/85e7bf/32.png) [@kg4fku](https://community.smartthings.com/u/kg4fku)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2015, 10:28am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/16 "2015-01-07T10:28:51Z")
edited. wrong discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Ben](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/ben/32/59111_2.png) [@Ben](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Ben)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 7:03am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/17 "2015-02-06T07:03:20Z")
> [@jnhearne](#): > > I agree. A web app would be much easier. Nest does not use any install applications, just log on through [home.nest.com](http://home.nest.com). We want to have [my.smartthings.com](http://my.smartthings.com) launch this year allowing account management on some device and location control as well but I do not know that it will be full featured like something along the lines of ActiON Dashboard. ---
**Author:** ![brucemi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@brucemi](https://community.smartthings.com/u/brucemi)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/18 "2015-02-06T14:13:24Z")
I’d really like to see an app for Windows allowing configuration, etc like the IOS and Android apps - mainly because it’d be easier to do on a bigger screen. Action Dashboard is great - the only complaint I have with it is not being able to do configuration and setup. ---
**Author:** ![Kristopher](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/kristopher/32/15578_2.png) [@Kristopher](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Kristopher)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/19 "2015-02-06T16:37:44Z")
If someone makes a desktop app, please include an API endpoint for a presence sensor - so we can know from ST if the app is being used. ---
**Author:** ![625alex](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/625alex/32/70989_2.png) [@625alex](https://community.smartthings.com/u/625alex)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156/20 "2015-02-06T17:15:56Z")
ActiON Dashboard is not being able to do configuration and setup because it is impossible. There is no API that would allow that. [Next page](https://community.smartthings.com/t/desktop-client/2156.md?page=2)