Desktop App - Cloud Connected

To connect your desktop agent to the cloud, you need an API key from the Web Dashboard:

1. Open the Web Dashboard (dashboard.producergrid.com/login) and sign in.
2. Go to Settings → API Keys.
3. Click Generate Key, give it a name (e.g. "Studio A - Mac Pro"), and copy the key.
4. In the desktop app, open Settings → Connect (or click the connection status in the top bar).
5. Paste the API key and click Connect.

On first connect, your workstation is registered with the cloud. If your organization has a device limit, you may need to free up a slot first.

Once connected, the agent syncs the following data to the cloud automatically:

• Plugins - full plugin inventory (name, vendor, format, version, architecture)
• Licenses - license metadata (type, seats, expiry, activation method)
• Projects - DAW project files and their required plugin lists
• Presets - user preset file inventory
• Libraries - sample library installations

Sync happens automatically in the background after the initial connection. Changes are pushed incrementally - only new or modified items are sent. The agent also sends a heartbeat every 30 seconds so the Web Dashboard knows your workstation is online.

Sync Direction

Sync is Agent → Cloud. The agent is the authoritative source for plugin inventory and project data. The Web Dashboard reads this data for fleet-wide views, compatibility checks, and reporting.

Offline-First

The agent works offline. If the internet drops, sync pauses and automatically resumes when the connection is restored. No data is lost.

The agent sends your full plugin inventory - every VST3, AU, VST2, and AAX plugin - to the cloud. Each plugin includes:

• Name, vendor, format, version
• Architecture (x86_64, arm64, universal)
• File path and size
• Validation status (validated, crashed, unvalidated)

If the same plugin (name+vendor+format+version) exists on multiple workstations, the cloud deduplicates it - you see one row in the Web Dashboard with a workstation count, not duplicate entries.

License metadata (not keys) is synced to the cloud so you can track license usage across your fleet from the Web Dashboard. Synced fields include:

• License type (perpetual, subscription, trial, etc.)
• Seat count and activation method
• Purchase date, price, and currency
• Expiry date and renewal cadence
• iLok license ID (if applicable)

DAW project files and their required plugin lists are synced to the cloud. This enables the Compatibility Map on the Web Dashboard - you can check whether a session will open on a different workstation.

Preset inventories (user presets only, not factory content) are also synced so you can see which presets are available across the fleet.

On the desktop, you can see your own workstation's registration status, heartbeat, agent version, and last sync time via Settings → Connect.

For a fleet-wide view (all workstations, their plugins, licenses, and projects), use the Web Dashboard.

When connected, your desktop agent listens for commands sent from the Web Dashboard. Supported remote actions:

• Rescan - triggers a fresh plugin scan
• Sync Now - forces an immediate full sync
• Restart Agent - restarts the ProducerGrid background service
• Update Agent - downloads and applies the latest agent version

Commands appear in the desktop app's notification area. You can see the command history and status in Settings → Commands.

When cloud-connected, the desktop app shows your account status:

• Organization name - displayed in the top bar
• Subscription plan - Free, Pro, or Enterprise
• Device limit - how many workstations you can register
• License restore - download your license data from the cloud to a new machine

1. Click your organization name in the top bar.
2. Select Account to view your subscription and device status.
3. To disconnect: Settings → Connect → Disconnect. This clears the API key from this machine.