BigIdeasDB Desktop overview

What it is

Desktop is a workbench for idea research. You make a project, ask your AI agent to look into an idea, and Desktop gathers the evidence: Reddit threads, search trends, app store listings and reviews, and search suggestions. Everything is saved in the project so you can come back to it.

Desktop does not serve BigIdeasDB's own database. It is a separate tool that collects fresh evidence from your machine. If you are on Pro, you can connect the hosted BigIdeasDB MCP next to it and use both in the same agent.

Why local-first

• Paced and polite. Requests go out slowly from your own computer, and Desktop stops when a site asks it to slow down.
• Your own AI. There is no API key inside the app and nothing is sent through us.
• Your data. Projects, evidence and chat history are stored on your computer.
• No usage meter. We do not run servers for your research, so there is nothing to meter.

What you get

• Projects, each with its own chats, ideas and evidence. See Projects, chat and skills.
• A chat panel that talks to your own AI agent, with built-in skills you run by typing "/".
• One-click connection to Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Codex and OpenCode. See Connect your AI.
• The Clipper browser extension as a local bridge for Reddit. See Connect Clipper.
• Research sources with built-in pacing. See Research sources.
• Labs for Trends, Reddit, Search Demand, Communities, Businesses for Sale, YouTube, App Marketplaces, Pricing History, Software Reviews, App Reviews, Idea Discovery, Local Density, AI Answers and the App Store, each with saved searches, charts and weekly re-checks. See Trends, Reddit, Search Demand, Communities Businesses for Sale, YouTube, App Marketplaces Pricing History, Software Reviews, App Reviews, Idea Discovery, Local Density and AI Answers.
• Deep Research (Beta): name a product, approve a plan, and get a report of counted findings and word for word quotes from reviews and forum posts. See Deep Research.
• An ideation canvas to lay out the problem, evidence, ideas and decision. See Ideation canvas.

Where to start

• Overview and pricing: the Desktop product page.
• Install and activate: Install and activate, then Devices and licence.
• Connect an AI: Connect your AI, then the MCP tools reference.
• Research: Research sources, the App Store Lab, the Evidence board and ideas and the Ideation canvas.
• Skills and Clipper: Skills and Connect Clipper.
• Good to know: Updates, Privacy, Billing and Troubleshooting.

System requirements

• Mac: Apple Silicon (M1 and later) or Intel.
• Windows: 64-bit PC (x64).
• An internet connection for research and a licence refresh at least every 48 hours.
• An AI agent installed on the computer, such as Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode or Ollama, or an AI client you connect over MCP.
• Google Chrome 116 or later if you want Clipper for Reddit.

Release notes

Every version is listed, newest first, on the Desktop release notes page, with what is new, what improved, what was fixed and a download for each installer.

Who can use it

Desktop is included in the Basic and Pro plans. Anyone, including free and Lite accounts, can also buy it on its own as a one-time add-on. The add-on is a one-time price that starts at $9 and goes up $1 with every sale, so the sooner the cheaper. The current price is on the Desktop page. One licence covers up to 3 computers.