Desktop App

The SmartCAD desktop app is a native Windows client for users who want a dedicated CAD window outside of FiveM or the browser.

Who needs it?

Nobody, technically. Everything in the desktop app is also in the web version. It exists for:

• Dual-monitor setups where officers want CAD pinned on a second screen without losing a browser tab
• Dispatchers (when the dispatch-side is implemented)
• Officers who prefer not to use the in-game computer

The web version remains the canonical way to use SmartCAD. The desktop app is a thin shell around the same frontend.

Requirements

• Windows 10 or 11.
• WebView2. Pre-installed on Windows 11 and any recent Windows 10. Most users do not need to install anything.
• Your community's SmartCAD backend must be on version 1.1.0 or newer. Older backends won't connect, the desktop app will block the setup screen with a version-mismatch message.

Installing

1. Download the latest .exe installer from the releases page.
2. Run the installer. Windows SmartScreen may show a warning the first time, click "More info" → "Run anyway".
3. Launch SmartCAD from the Start menu.

First-time setup

On first launch you'll see a single field: Server URL. Enter your community's CAD URL, the same URL you'd type in a browser to reach the CAD. For example:

https://cad.yourcommunity.com

Click Connect. The app will verify the server is reachable and on a compatible version, then bounce you to the login screen.

From then on, the app remembers your community and skips the setup screen.

Logging in

Identical to the web version, Discord OAuth is the primary method, email + password works as a fallback for password resets. The Discord flow opens inside the app window; once you approve on Discord, you're returned to the CAD.

Switching servers

If you join a new community, or your administrator moves the CAD to a new URL, you can repoint the app at any time.

From the login screen — click Change server at the bottom of the form. Use this when the old URL is no longer reachable and you can't even log in.

From inside the app — open the Select page (the one with the CAD / DMV / Oversight buttons) and click Change server at the bottom.

Either path drops you back at the setup screen. Your saved login is cleared, so you'll log in fresh against the new server.

Updates

The desktop app checks for updates every time you launch it. When a new version is available, a prompt appears in the bottom-right corner. Click Install & restart, the app downloads the update, installs it silently, and relaunches you on the new version.

You do not need to download new installers from GitHub manually. Updates are signed and verified automatically.

Privacy & data

The desktop app stores three things locally on your machine:

• Your CAD server URL (in app data)
• Your session token (so you stay logged in across launches)
• A small downloaded update file when an update is being installed

It does not transmit anything to anyone except your community's backend.

Troubleshooting

"This server is running SmartCAD x.y.z, but the desktop app requires 1.1.0 or newer" - your community admin needs to update their backend container. Use the web version in the meantime.

"Couldn't reach that server" - check the URL you entered. It should include https:// for production communities. No trailing slash.

Stuck on a blank screen after login - quit and reopen the app. If the issue persists, click Change server, then re-enter your URL to re-run setup.

Discord login bounces to an error page - your community is likely on a backend older than v1.1.0. Ask the admin to update.