Hosted vs local mode
OCT runs in two modes. You don’t choose a mode with a setting — it’s determined by how you’re running OCT:
- Hosted — the web console. Multi-user, with sign-in and cross-device sync.
- Local — the desktop app. A single user, everything stored on your machine.
Most of the app is identical. Here’s what a user actually notices.
What changes
Section titled “What changes”| Hosted (web) | Local (desktop) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-in | Required (Supabase — Discord or email) | None; you’re always “signed in” |
| Settings & rooms | Synced across devices | Stored on your machine |
| Where your Discord token lives | Only in your browser — it never touches the server | On your machine |
| Discord connection | Runs in your browser, direct to Discord | Runs on your machine |
| Connection proxy | Not available | Available (Settings → Tokens) |
| Settings export | Excludes secrets (tokens, Telegram creds, Pushover keys) | Includes Discord tokens + Telegram credentials |
Why the token handling differs
Section titled “Why the token handling differs”In hosted mode OCT deliberately keeps your Discord token in your browser only. The Discord connection is made directly from your browser to Discord — the OCT servers never see or store the token. You’ll see this stated in the app wherever you paste a token (“tokens are stored only in this browser and connect directly to Discord — they never touch our servers”).
Signing out removes the token from this browser, and so does signing in to a different OCT account here. Paste it again after you sign back in.
In local mode there is no server to worry about — the token stays on your own machine.
Export & backup
Section titled “Export & backup”Both modes support Settings → Help & Features → Backup & Restore. The one difference is what’s included:
- Hosted export never contains sensitive keys — it’s safe to share for copying preferences, but you’ll re-enter tokens on the new device.
- Local export does include Discord tokens and Telegram credentials (API ID, hash, session), so treat that file as a secret. Pushover keys are never included in either.