---
title: Desktop Tunnels
description: Create Cloudflare or Ngrok tunnels from the desktop app.
---

# Desktop Tunnels

The desktop app can create a public tunnel from **Settings → OpenChamber → Tunnel**. You do not need to start OpenChamber from the CLI for this path.

## Install a provider

OpenChamber starts the provider CLI on your machine. Install the provider you want to use first:

```bash
brew install cloudflared
brew install ngrok
```

Cloudflare uses `cloudflared`. Ngrok requires an ngrok account and an authtoken from the ngrok dashboard:

```bash
ngrok config add-authtoken <your-ngrok-token>
```

## Start from the app

1. Open **Settings → OpenChamber → Tunnel**.
2. Choose **Cloudflare** or **Ngrok**.
3. Start a quick tunnel.
4. Scan the generated QR code from your phone.

Ngrok currently supports quick tunnels. Cloudflare supports quick tunnels and managed Cloudflare modes.

## Access protection

Even when the provider URL itself is public, OpenChamber still protects access with its own connect token. The generated connect link contains a one-time token, has a TTL, and old unused links are revoked when you generate a new one or stop/restart the tunnel.

## Related

- [Tunnels](/tunnels/) — CLI tunnel usage and managed Cloudflare modes
- [PWA & Mobile](/mobile/) — reach OpenChamber from your phone