Introduction
DirectAI is a Firefly desktop management client for edge devices. It runs on your PC to discover, connect to, and manage devices, bringing device lookup, sign-in, app installation, service configuration, and monitoring together in a single desktop client — so anyone can manage local AI devices without professional skills.
If you are getting started with DirectAI, see Quick Start to install the client and connect your first device.
What Is DirectAI
Managing an edge AI device usually involves device discovery, secure trust, account sign-in, software installation, service configuration, and monitoring. DirectAI brings all of these steps into one desktop interface: discover a device over the network or USB, sign in, and you are ready to use the app store and the device management panel.
Problems It Solves
- Complicated device onboarding: device discovery and account sign-in are combined into a guided flow, over both LAN and USB.
- High barrier to app installation: apps install from the app store in one click — the client handles the deployment on the device side automatically.
- Scattered maintenance tools: the device management panel shows CPU, memory, disk, and temperature readings in one place, with a built-in remote terminal.
Key Features
- Device discovery and sign-in: scan devices on the LAN or connect over USB, confirm when prompted, and sign in with your Linux account.
- App store: browse, import, and manage device apps, with version replacement.
- App lifecycle management: install, update, and uninstall apps, and pin them to the sidebar for quick access.
- Device monitoring: live readings of device info, CPU, memory, storage, and temperature.
- Remote terminal: operate the device from the built-in terminal in the client.
Typical Use Cases
- A unified desktop entry point for managing multiple AI devices in classrooms, labs, or offices.
- Deploying local LLM and knowledge-base apps offline through the app store in air-gapped environments.
- Monitoring device load and temperature from the device panel, with the terminal for troubleshooting.
- Batch-installing and updating apps on devices distributed across a team.
Software Components
DirectAI consists of two parts:
| Component | Role |
|---|---|
| Client | The desktop app on your PC, providing device discovery and sign-in, the app store, device management, and the remote terminal |
| Device server | The required backend service on the device, handling device identity, network discovery, secure connections, account sign-in, status reporting, and app management |
The device server comes pre-installed and starts automatically at boot. Apps are distributed through the app store: when you install one, the client handles the deployment on the device side automatically.
Documentation
- First time using DirectAI: Quick Start
- Install your first app: Install Apps