Setup
Give a computer you already own a job.
Ion turns a Mac or Linux computer that stays on into the home for your apps.
What you need
A computer that stays on
A Mac mini is ideal; an old Mac or Linux laptop works.
A Claude or ChatGPT plan
Ion uses the plan you already pay for.
A guided setup
- One-line install, then a setup wizard.
- Start private: just you and your devices, over Tailscale (free for personal use), no domain needed.
- When you want to invite people outside that network, the wizard sets up sharing with a Cloudflare account and a domain.
What you don’t need: a new computer, a domain to get started, a credit card for Ion, or a second AI subscription.
Pick a computer
Ion turns a computer you already own into the home for your apps.
- Ideal
A Mac mini. Quiet, low-power, built to stay on. If you already run an agent on one, Ion gives it real apps to work with.
- Works
An old laptop or desktop. Any Mac, or a Linux box. If it can stay plugged in and online, it can run your apps.
- Not needed
A new machine, a rack, or a cloud bill.
There’s no published minimum spec. If it can stay plugged in and online, it can run your apps.
Setup, step by step
Install. One line in the terminal. You’ll get it with your invite.
Run the setup wizard. It checks your computer is ready and tells you what to fix if it isn’t.
Sign in to your AI. On Anthropic’s or OpenAI’s own page. Ion never sees what you enter.
Start private. Just you and your devices, over Tailscale.
Add sharing when you need it. The wizard sets up a Cloudflare account and a domain the first time you invite someone outside your network.
Two ways to connect
| Private | Shareable | |
|---|---|---|
| You need | Tailscale (free for personal use) | A Cloudflare account and a domain |
| Who can use your apps | You, and anyone on your Tailscale | You, and anyone you invite by email |
| Domain | Not needed | Needed |
| How the connection is protected | Encrypted end to end between your devices and your computer | A private, access-controlled link (traffic passes through Cloudflare) |
If your computer dies
At launch, Ion takes nightly local snapshots and every app can export its data. Keep a copy somewhere else; off-site backup isn’t built yet.
Setup questions
What computer do I need?
Any Mac or Linux computer that can stay on, such as a Mac mini or an old laptop. Setup is guided, and you don’t need a domain to get started.
Do I need to code to build my own app?
No. Mouseion plans and builds it with you from a description: it asks what it needs to know, and you approve the plan before it builds. More at https://useion.ai/developers/.
What if my computer dies?
At launch, Ion takes nightly local snapshots and every app can export its data. Keep a copy somewhere else; off-site backup isn’t built yet.
Have the computer? Get your invite.
Invite-only, released in small waves. Free during early access.