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Desktop Agent

Install Desktop Agent to collect native desktop app usage.

Use Desktop Agent when Doow needs native desktop app usage from employee devices.

Choose Desktop Agent

Choose this path when the apps you care about run outside the browser and provider APIs do not expose enough usage detail.

Use Desktop Agent

You need native app usage for tools such as Slack Desktop, Notion Desktop, Figma Desktop, or similar installed applications.

Use Browser Agent

You only need browser and web SaaS activity from supported browsers.

Desktop Agent and Browser Agent feed the same Doow usage view. Use Desktop Agent for native apps that Browser Agent cannot see.

Before rollout

Confirm the rollout owner, platform support, and privacy review before asking users to install Desktop Agent:

  • the approved Desktop Agent download or managed-install path
  • which platforms are enabled for your workspace
  • who needs to install it: all employees, a pilot cohort, or one department
  • who needs to review the privacy boundary
  • whether users are allowed to sign in from the desktop app
  • whether users are allowed to turn tracking on or off from the desktop app

Install and enable Desktop Agent

Use this flow once your workspace has an approved Desktop Agent distribution path.

  1. Open the approved Desktop Agent download or managed-install path.
  2. Install Desktop Agent on the supported platform.
  3. Open Desktop Agent.
  4. Sign in with the user account that belongs to your Doow workspace.
  5. Turn tracking on if it is not already enabled.
  6. Open a native desktop app that Doow needs to track.
  7. Use the app long enough for desktop activity to be recorded.

Do not use an internal build, unsigned installer, or private package for a customer rollout unless that is the approved distribution path for your workspace.

Review privacy before rollout

Desktop Agent is for usage attribution, not content inspection.

It sends app activity metadata such as app name, process identity, timing, duration, idle or active state, device, platform, account linkage, and network context used for attribution.

Desktop privacy boundary

Desktop Agent does not collect screenshots, keystrokes, clipboard contents, typed content, document bodies, message bodies, file contents, audio or video content, or window titles.

Any request to collect more than app activity metadata needs a separate product and privacy review before rollout.

Confirm platform availability

Confirm platform availability before sending installers to users.

PlatformWhat to confirm
WindowsConfirm the approved installer and rollout status for your workspace.
LinuxConfirm Linux is enabled for your workspace. The current implementation is Ubuntu-first.
macOSConfirm availability for your workspace before rollout.

Confirm it worked

After installation, confirm Desktop Agent is sending usable activity before expanding the rollout.

  1. Open Company Settings -> Integrations in Doow.
  2. Open the Desktop Agent or Doow Agent detail page.
  3. Confirm the connection shows recent desktop activity.
  4. Confirm the expected user appears in the activity records.
  5. Confirm the expected app appears in the usage view.
  6. Check that the event log has no sign-in, permission, collector, or sync errors.

Connected is not the same as collecting

A user can install Desktop Agent without producing useful usage data. Confirm recent activity after the user opens and uses a tracked desktop app.

Troubleshooting

Use these checks when desktop activity is missing or incomplete:

IssueWhat to check
The user does not appearConfirm the user signed in to Desktop Agent with the expected Doow account.
No recent activity appearsConfirm tracking is turned on and the user opened a native desktop app after enabling the agent.
The app is missingConfirm the app is installed locally, the platform is enabled for your workspace, and the app can be mapped from app or process metadata.
Activity stops after installConfirm Desktop Agent is still running, the user is still signed in, and the tracker is still enabled.
Platform support is unclearConfirm the workspace rollout status for Windows, Linux, or macOS before expanding deployment.
Privacy questions block rolloutReview the desktop privacy boundary with security, legal, or device-management owners before adding more users.

Next steps

After desktop activity appears in Doow, connect the next source that fills the missing context:

  • Use Browser Agent when employees also use browser-based SaaS apps.
  • Connect an identity provider so Doow can map desktop activity to users, groups, and ownership.
  • Return to Doow Agent if you are still deciding between browser and desktop collection.
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