BridgeDev

Connect ChatGPT Web and other AI agents to your computer's files, terminal, Git projects and MCP tools.

BridgeDev is a self-hosted MCP gateway for filesystem access, commands, code editing, skills and external MCP integrations. You choose which workspaces and tools the agent can use.

Install

Requires: Node.js 22+ with npm. No Git, pnpm, TypeScript, administrator privileges or background service needed for the standard portable install.

Linux / macOS / Termux (shell)	Windows (PowerShell)
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kmanisk/bridge-dev/main/install.sh | sh	irm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kmanisk/bridge-dev/main/install.ps1 | iex

The installer downloads the current GitHub source, builds BridgeDev, creates a private configuration and two independent credentials, picks available localhost ports, and installs the bridge-dev launcher in your user directory. No system configuration or existing gateway is replaced. Updates retain your workspace, configuration and prior runtime.

After installation:

bridge-dev start

The gateway runs in the foreground. In another private terminal, run bridge-dev access to view the local Admin UI login and MCP connection details. Press Ctrl+C to stop the gateway. The installer prints the launcher's full path if it is not yet on PATH.

Android / Termux and other environments

In Termux, install nodejs-lts, curl and tar using pkg if missing, then run the same shell installer. Termux and Waydroid are experimental until device-tested; standard Android shell/root permissions are not equivalent to the managed Linux controller.

Windows dual-boot installations and Windows VMs use the PowerShell command inside that Windows environment. They are separate installations and do not modify the Linux host or VM configuration.

Installation details, paths and troubleshooting

Features

• Computer tools: Read, search, create and edit workspace files; run commands; inspect and change Git projects.
• One MCP endpoint: Use BridgeDev with ChatGPT, Codex, Claude or another compatible MCP client.
• Extensions and skills: Discover and review MCP providers, SKILL.md content and instructions from GitHub, URLs or local sources.
• Admin UI: See enabled providers, tool access and reviewed proposals.
• User-controlled access: Normal Read & Write mode; optional managed Linux Full System (sudo) mode.

Connect ChatGPT Web

bridge-dev access displays the local URL and login details. ChatGPT Web cannot connect directly to localhost. To use it remotely, expose only the authenticated MCP endpoint through a separately configured HTTPS tunnel; never expose the local Admin UI.

When using the managed gateway, call system_context before commands. If the ChatGPT connector uses separate MCP sessions, forward the returned short-lived context_token to context-gated tools. This token does not grant sudo permissions. Policy and session details.

Access modes

Mode	Use
Read & Write	Scoped workspace files, Git and regular commands; standard portable and managed development
Full System (sudo)	Managed Linux only: unrestricted host-root access after independent terminal confirmation; stays active until switched off

For an already provisioned managed Linux installation:

bridge-dev mode read-write
bridge-dev mode sudo
bridge-dev mode sudo --off

For a single local shell helper with explicit verification and recovery instructions, use scripts/bridge-dev-recover.sh: sh bridge-dev-recover.sh check, on 60, or off. It does not deploy code or replace the independent operator.

Full System displays Enable Full System (sudo)? [Y/n]. Press Enter or y to approve, or n to decline. Use --duration 60 for an optional timed session. The portable installer does not install the privileged host controller or automatically activate sudo. Linux controller setup.

Platforms

Platform	Status
Linux (including Arch/CachyOS, Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu)	Portable runtime and distribution CI tested
Windows	Portable runtime tested in native CI
macOS	Portable runtime tested in native CI
Android / Termux / Waydroid	Experimental; device acceptance pending

Documentation

Install · Local trial · Platform support · MCP integrations · Skills and extensions · Managed deployment · Security · Troubleshooting

License

MIT. Based on chatgpt-local-coder by hoangcoderr; upstream attribution retained. The historical Go prototype is preserved in archive/go-prototype.

Tailscale is optional: bridge-dev start --funnel explicitly enables exposure; stop/restart preserve existing routes.

Stabilization QA and privilege acceptance limits.

Linux users can install an opt-in persistent user service with bridge-dev service install. The local operations interface remains separate from the public MCP endpoint.