Laptop Install Path

BoatMC Helper turns the web installer into real local discovery and local SSH install.

The secure BoatMC website cannot directly probe random boat devices on your LAN. The Helper is the small local bridge that fixes that. Run it on your laptop, keep it open, and the install wizard can discover Cerbo GX, Signal K, Node-RED, and SSH targets without guesswork, then run the installer over SSH right from the same laptop when that path makes sense.

Open Installer Choose Download
What It Changes
Web install becomes local-aware and locally executable
The wizard can inspect the boat network from the laptop, recommend the right path, and run the installer over SSH without the user copy-pasting commands.
Security Model
Loopback only
BoatMC Helper only listens on 127.0.0.1:5123. It is not exposed to the LAN or the public internet.
Beta Reality
Keep the helper window open
The current beta already handles discovery plus direct SSH install. Broader automation like Node-RED push is the next step.

1. Download

Pick the build for your laptop below. Extract it somewhere simple like Downloads or Desktop.

2. Launch

Run the included launcher script for your platform. It starts the local helper and opens the BoatMC installer in your browser.

3. Install

Return to boatmc.com/install/. The wizard should detect the helper, switch to real local discovery mode, and offer Run from this laptop for SSH-capable targets.

BoatMC Helper Beta Downloads

These are local beta builds for internal or guided installs. If your browser warns that the app is unsigned, that is expected for this beta channel.

Checking for the latest helper builds…
Recommended default: use the platform launcher file inside the archive, then leave that window running while you finish the install. If you close it, the installer loses local discovery and local SSH execution until you launch it again. If Chrome asks whether BoatMC can access your local or loopback network, allow it for `boatmc.com` so the installer can reach the helper on this laptop.