Release
New model support and fixes for a series of issues
- Added support for new domestic models, including Qwen 3.8 Max，DeepSeek V4. - Fixed a series of issues.
Aether: The AI Assistant Built for Researchers
Powerful coding and research capabilities, full-spectrum research workflow support, compatible with various models and providers, one-click integration with WeChat, QQ, and Feishu, ready to use out of the box — making research accessible.
Quick Start
Follow three steps to install; Desktop/Web and platform-specific notes are below.
- 1
Choose Version and System
Desktop is selected by default; you can switch to Web, then choose Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- 2
Download Package
Desktop downloads the native package; Web downloads the installer script.
- 3
Run as Prompted
Follow the platform instructions to complete first launch.
Recommended install method
Download after selecting version and system
Desktop is recommended by default. If a platform is not published yet, switch to the Web installer.
aether-desktop-win-x64.exe
Download the EXE, run it, and complete the native Windows installer flow.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether-desktop-win-x64.exe`.
- 2
Double-click the installer; if Windows shows a security prompt, confirm the source and continue.
- 3
Follow the setup wizard. The default location is `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Aether`.
- 4
Launch Aether from the Start Menu or the desktop shortcut.
Additional notes
- The desktop app uses the Electron auto-update channel, so later updates do not need the Web installer.
aether-desktop-mac-arm64.dmg
Download the DMG, drag the app into Applications, and launch it as a native macOS app.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether-desktop-mac-arm64.dmg`.
- 2
Open the DMG and drag `Aether.app` into Applications.
- 3
On first launch, if macOS blocks it, allow it in "System Settings > Privacy & Security".
- 4
Launch Aether from Launchpad or Applications afterward.
Additional notes
- This build is for Apple Silicon Macs with M-series chips.
aether-desktop-mac-x64.dmg
Download the Intel DMG, drag the app into Applications, and launch it as a native macOS app.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether-desktop-mac-x64.dmg`.
- 2
Open the DMG and drag `Aether.app` into Applications.
- 3
On first launch, if macOS blocks it, allow it in "System Settings > Privacy & Security".
- 4
Launch Aether from Launchpad or Applications afterward.
Additional notes
- This build is for Intel Macs. Apple Silicon devices should use the macOS tab.
aether-desktop-linux-amd64.deb
Download the x64 DEB package and install it with your system package manager.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether-desktop-linux-amd64.deb`.
- 2
Open the DEB package with your software installer, or run `sudo apt install ./aether-desktop-linux-amd64.deb` in Terminal.
- 3
Launch Aether from your application menu after installation.
Additional notes
- This package is intended for Debian, Ubuntu, and compatible x64 distributions.
aether-desktop-linux-arm64.deb
Download the ARM64 DEB package and install it with your system package manager.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether-desktop-linux-arm64.deb`.
- 2
Open the DEB package with your software installer, or run `sudo apt install ./aether-desktop-linux-arm64.deb` in Terminal.
- 3
Launch Aether from your application menu after installation.
Additional notes
- Use this for ARM64 Linux devices. x64 devices should use the Linux tab.
aether_windows_installer.bat
Double-click the downloaded file to run it. The installer will automatically fetch the latest version and complete the installation.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether_windows_installer.bat` first, then double-click to run it.
aether_windows_installer.bat - 2
If a security prompt appears, click "More info" and then "Run anyway".
- 3
Default install location: `%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Programs\aether`.
- 4
After installation, shortcuts `Aether.lnk` will be created in the Start Menu and Desktop automatically.
- 5
If shortcut creation fails, navigate to the default install path: `%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Programs\aether` and double-click `Aether.bat` to run.
Additional notes
- To install to a custom location, run `aether_windows_installer.bat --path
` from the command line, e.g. `aether_windows_installer.bat --path D:\Apps\aether` to install under `D:\Apps`. - If you prefer a manual install, download the ZIP package.
aether_darwin_installer.command
Grant execution permission first, then run the installer. The system will automatically download and install the latest version.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether_darwin_installer.command` first.
- 2
Open the folder where `aether_darwin_installer.command` was downloaded (Safari defaults to "Downloads"), click "Go" in the top toolbar, select "Enclosing Folder" (or press `Command + Up`), then locate the folder in the parent directory, right-click it, and choose "Services > New Terminal at Folder".
- 3
Copy the command below, paste it into the opened Terminal window, and press Enter to execute.
chmod +x aether_darwin_installer.command ./aether_darwin_installer.command - 4
If macOS says it cannot open the file, go to "System Settings > Privacy & Security" to allow this run; then double-click `aether_darwin_installer.command` in the folder, or type `./aether_darwin_installer.command` in the Terminal window and press Enter.
- 5
Default install location: `~/Applications/aether`.
- 6
After installation, a shortcut `Aether.app` will be created in the Launchpad. Click to run.
- 7
If shortcut creation fails, navigate to the default install path: `~/Applications/aether` and double-click `Aether.command` to run.
Additional notes
- To install to a custom location, run `./aether_darwin_installer.command --path
` in Terminal, e.g. `./aether_darwin_installer.command --path /Applications/aether` to install under `/Applications`. - The installer handles the latest DMG and subsequent setup automatically — you generally don't need to open the `.dmg` manually.
- If you prefer a manual install, download the DMG.
- If macOS says the package is damaged after a manual install, open Terminal in the Aether install directory, run `xattr -cr ./aether ./Aether.command`, then launch it again.
aether_darwin_x64_installer.command
Intel Macs use a separate installer, with the same flow as the Apple Silicon build.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether_darwin_x64_installer.command` first.
- 2
Open the folder where the installer was downloaded, right-click the folder, and choose "Services > New Terminal at Folder".
- 3
Copy the command below, paste it into the opened Terminal window, and press Enter to execute.
chmod +x aether_darwin_x64_installer.command ./aether_darwin_x64_installer.command - 4
If macOS says it cannot open the file, allow this run in "System Settings > Privacy & Security".
- 5
Default install location: `~/Applications/aether`.
- 6
After installation, a shortcut `Aether.app` will be created in Launchpad. Click to run.
Additional notes
- To install to a custom location, run `./aether_darwin_x64_installer.command --path
` in Terminal. - If you prefer a manual install, download the Intel DMG.
aether_linux_installer.sh
Grant execution permission first, then run the installer. The system will automatically download and install the latest version.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether_linux_installer.sh` first.
- 2
Open the folder where `aether_linux_installer.sh` was downloaded, right-click an empty area inside the folder, and select "Open in Terminal" or a similar option.
- 3
Copy the command below, paste it into the opened Terminal window, and press Enter to execute.
chmod +x aether_linux_installer.sh ./aether_linux_installer.sh - 4
Default install location: `$HOME/.local/share/applications/aether`.
- 5
After installation, a shortcut `Aether.sh` will be created on the desktop. Right-click it and select "Run as executable" to launch.
- 6
If shortcut creation fails, navigate to the default install path: `$HOME/.local/share/applications/aether`, right-click `Aether.sh`, and select "Run as executable".
Additional notes
- To install to a custom location, run `./aether_linux_installer.sh --path
` in Terminal, e.g. `./aether_linux_installer.sh --path /opt/aether` to install under `/opt`. - If you prefer a manual install, download the ZIP package.
- If you encounter OpenSSL-related issues during installation, please check the OpenSSL dependency guide.
aether_linux_arm64_installer.sh
Grant execution permission first, then run the installer. The system will automatically download and install the latest version.
First run guide (must-read)
- 1
Download `aether_linux_arm64_installer.sh` first.
- 2
Open the folder where `aether_linux_arm64_installer.sh` was downloaded, right-click an empty area inside the folder, and select "Open in Terminal" or a similar option.
- 3
Copy the command below, paste it into the opened Terminal window, and press Enter to execute.
chmod +x aether_linux_arm64_installer.sh ./aether_linux_arm64_installer.sh - 4
Default install location: `$HOME/.local/share/applications/aether`.
- 5
After installation, you can create a shortcut `Aether.sh` on the desktop. Right-click it and select "Run as executable" to launch.
- 6
If shortcut creation fails, navigate to the default install path: `$HOME/.local/share/applications/aether`, right-click `Aether.sh`, and select "Run as executable".
Additional notes
- To install to a custom location, run `./aether_linux_arm64_installer.sh --path
` in Terminal, e.g. `./aether_linux_arm64_installer.sh --path /opt/aether` to install under `/opt`. - If you prefer a manual install, download the ZIP package.
- If you encounter OpenSSL-related issues during installation, please check the OpenSSL dependency guide.
Next step: configuration
View Model API Guide Need a model API?
Check commonly used model APIs, purchase links, base URLs, and recommended model names to configure Aether.
Aether Real Workflow Showcase
Browse WeChat collaboration and research data analysis workflows.
WeChat Collaboration Full Workflow Diagram
Video Tutorials
Follow videos to quickly master Aether
Recommended order
01 → 02 → 03
Aether Download and Configuration
Start from scratch — complete the Aether download and basic configuration.
Open on BilibiliAether Core Features
Learn about Aether's core interaction methods and basic feature usage.
Open on BilibiliSkill Concepts and Usage
Understand the Skill mechanism in depth, learn to invoke and customize research capabilities.
Open on BilibiliAbout Aether
An AI research assistant built for science
01
What is Aether?
Aether is an AI research assistant built for scientific scenarios, powered by large language models, covering literature reading, PDF conversion, Markdown translation, project management, code execution, and multi-platform collaboration. It is not just a chat tool — it is an action-oriented assistant that can directly participate in research work.
02
Who is it for?
Researchers who frequently handle papers, notes, code, and project directories; also suited for students, developers, and potential contributors who want to quickly experience AI-assisted research workflows.
03
How does it differ from similar products?
Unlike general AI assistants, Aether emphasizes executable research workflows: AI-assisted reading, PDF and Markdown workflows, batch task queuing with recovery, project directory management, WeChat remote collaboration, and multi-model access without vendor lock-in.
Core Capabilities
Six core capabilities covering the full research workflow
CAP-01
Web + Electron, Ready to Use
Available as both a desktop app and browser version, adapting to local research, lightweight preview, and remote access scenarios. No complex development environment needed — download and start configuring and using right away.
CAP-02
Built-in Research Skills
Pre-packaged research-specific capabilities including paper search, literature management, and data analysis, which can be invoked continuously with project context, reducing tool-switching overhead.
CAP-03
AI Reading & Document Processing
Supports PDF reading, AI-assisted reading, PDF-to-Markdown conversion, Markdown translation, and batch task processing; current version has added reading mode settings, quick entry, default reading window position, and session linkage, making the read-and-ask workflow more complete, while retaining custom output directories, queue recovery, and auto-retry on disconnection.
CAP-04
Multi-Model, Multi-Provider
Compatible with MiniMax, Kimi, Qwen, and other providers and models, no single-provider lock-in, convenient for flexible switching by budget, speed, and quality.
CAP-05
Project Management & Terminal Capability
Full code writing, execution, and debugging workflow capability, plus recent project management, directory creation, directory filtering, and cross-platform directory browsing; current version continues strengthening installation and update pipelines — offline updates no longer depend on root directory version markers, web release version identifiers stay consistent, desktop version fixed startup blocking when existing production database present and Mac packaged version default Skills discovery issue, making installation, upgrading, and recovery more stable.
CAP-06
WeChat Collaboration
Connect WeChat and Feishu to chat with Aether and manage projects from your phone; v0.4.0 embeds Feishu platform configuration steps directly in the connection dialog, adds private chat and group @mention usage tips; v0.4.2 continues optimizing Feishu and chat bridge session flow, adds shorthand commands, unified /approval auto-accept policy, cross-platform file path support, and more stable reconnect handling, making remote collaboration smoother.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions
Several built-in free models are included, and custom API access is also supported: simply configure base_url and api_key to use almost any model, and switch between them at any time.
We recommend downloading the installer directly from the homepage for your operating system — no development environment configuration needed, ready to use in 5 minutes.
Run this command in Terminal: xattr -cr ./aether ./Aether.command, then launch the app again.
Please refer to the DEBUG.md documentation. Common issues include: misconfigured API Key, network proxy settings, and insufficient model quota.
Missing chat history is usually caused by version number changes during development. Session records are stored in SQL format under the user directory. You can use Aether agent to search that folder, migrate old session records into your latest version's session database, then restart Aether. User directory locations: Windows: C:\Users\<username>\.local\share\opencode\; macOS: /Users/<username>/.local/share/opencode; Linux: /home/<username>/.local/share/opencode
Feel free to submit issues via GitHub Issues, or fork the repository and submit Pull Requests. See the project CONTRIBUTING guide for details.