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Parallax Desktop is the easiest way to run a Parallax node. It is a native desktop application that embeds a full Parallax node in a single binary — no terminal required, no separate processes to manage. If you just want to run a node, mine, and connect a wallet without touching a command line, start here. The project lives at github.com/ParallaxProtocol/parallax-gui.

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Is this the right option for me?

Use Parallax Desktop if you want to:
  • Download an installer, double-click, and have a running node.
  • See sync progress, peers, blocks, and transactions in a visual dashboard.
  • Mine with GPU (pool) or CPU (solo) from a UI, with live hashrate and device detection.
  • Add the Parallax network to MetaMask with one click.
  • Change settings (cache sizes, peer limits, RPC port) without editing config files.
Use the Parallax client CLI if you prefer the terminal, need to run on a headless server, or want finer control over flags and scripting. Both run the same underlying node — you can switch between them at any time by pointing them at the same data directory.

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What’s inside

Parallax Desktop bundles an in-process full node and exposes it through a handful of screens:
  • Client — sync progress, peer count, uptime, disk usage, latest blocks (with miner, reward, size, gas fill) and latest transactions.
  • Mining — GPU pool mining and CPU solo mining with device detection and live stats.
  • Connect — one-click Add to MetaMask button, plus the raw network parameters for any other wallet.
  • Peers — every connected peer, click-to-expand for the full enode URL, addresses, capabilities, and per-protocol metadata.
  • Settings — curated and advanced options (cache sizes, peer limits, HTTP-RPC toggle and port, inbound connections). Changes that require a node restart are clearly flagged.
  • Logs — live log tail with level filter, pause/resume, and copy to clipboard.
A status indicator in the top bar polls the node every few seconds and shows Synced, Syncing, or Stopped at a glance.

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Installing

1

Download the latest release

Visit the Parallax Desktop releases page and download the build for your operating system:
  • Windows (64-bit) — .exe installer or .zip archive
  • macOS (Apple Silicon) — darwin-arm64
  • macOS (Intel) — darwin-amd64
  • Linux (x86_64) — linux-amd64
  • Linux (ARM64) — linux-arm64
Each release includes a SHA256SUMS.txt file you can use to verify the download.
2

Install

  • Windows: run the installer, or extract the zip and launch Parallax Client.exe.
  • macOS: open the .dmg (or extract the archive) and drag Parallax Client to /Applications. The first launch may require right-click → Open to bypass Gatekeeper for unsigned builds.
  • Linux: extract the archive and run the Parallax Client binary. You may need to mark it executable first (chmod +x "Parallax Client").
3

First-run wizard

On first launch, Parallax Desktop asks you to pick:
  • A data directory for the blockchain (default location is fine for most users).
  • A sync mode (snap is recommended).
  • An inbound connections policy — enabling this helps strengthen the network, but is optional.
After the wizard, the node starts automatically and the Client dashboard begins showing sync progress.
✨ You’re now running a Parallax node with a GUI.

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Data directory locations

By default, Parallax Desktop stores chain data in the same places as the CLI client:
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Parallax or %LOCALAPPDATA%\Parallax
  • macOS: ~/Library/Parallax
  • Linux: ~/.parallax
GUI-specific configuration (window state, chosen sync mode, etc.) lives next to it in a Parallax/gui.json file under your OS config directory.

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Next steps

  • Connect MetaMask — Parallax Desktop has a one-click button on the Connect page, but the guide covers manual setup for other wallets too.
  • Mining overview — if you want to mine from Parallax Desktop, this explains the differences between CPU and GPU mining.
  • Parallax client CLI — for advanced users who want to run the same node from a terminal or on a headless server.