Open Any File
PDFs, spreadsheets, Word docs, images — tell the AI to open a file and it launches it on your desktop in the correct application. Works with any file type your PC can handle.
Desktop Connect
Your office computer, in your pocket. No remote desktop app required.
Standing on the slab and need a file from your office PC? Open Foreman AI chat on your phone, ask for it, and the AI reaches into your desktop — opens files, grabs screenshots, runs programs, and sends documents straight to your hand. All through a simple chat message.
How It Works
Three pieces. Zero complexity. Desktop Connect uses a lightweight bridge app on your PC, cloud relay through Foreman AI, and your phone's browser. That's it.
1
Install the Desktop Bridge
Download and run the one-click installer on your office PC or laptop. It drops a small background app that connects to your Foreman AI account. Takes about 30 seconds — no admin rights needed.
2
Open Chat on Your Phone
Pull up foremanai.co/chat on your phone browser — or tap the app icon if you installed it to your home screen. The Desktop Connect badge in chat shows when your PC is online and ready.
3
Just Ask
Type what you need in plain English. "Open the Johnson bid spreadsheet" — "Screenshot my screen" — "Send me the grading plan PDF". The AI figures out which desktop tool to use and delivers the result right in chat.
What You Can Do
Desktop Connect gives the AI hands on your computer. Here's what it can reach.
Screenshot Your Screen
Need to see what's on your monitor? Ask for a screenshot and it appears in chat within seconds. Great for checking on long-running processes or verifying what's on screen.
Download Files to Your Phone
Grab any document from your desktop and download it to your phone — PDFs, estimates, plan sheets, photos. Up to 50 MB per file, delivered through a secure download link.
Find Files Fast
"Find all PDFs with 'grading' in the name" — the AI searches your desktop and returns a list of matches with full file paths. Then you can open or download any of them.
Read File Contents
Ask the AI to read a text file, CSV, or log and it pulls the content right into chat. Useful for checking specs, reviewing notes, or pulling data without opening the file yourself.
Run Programs & Commands
Launch applications, run scripts, or execute terminal commands on your PC — all from chat. Open Excel, start a backup, or kick off a batch process remotely.
Built for the Job Site
Desktop Connect was designed for construction pros who need their office when they're not in it.
Superintendent on the Slab
You're walking the site and the GC asks for the revised grading plan. Pull out your phone, ask Foreman AI: "Send me the latest grading plan PDF from my desktop." It downloads to your phone. Hand it over. No driving back to the trailer.
Estimator at the Pre-Bid Meeting
Sitting in a meeting and someone asks about your unit prices. Type: "Read the Johnson project estimate spreadsheet and give me the concrete unit prices." The AI pulls the file, reads the data, and drops the numbers right into chat. Need the whole file? Just say "Download it to my phone" and it's in your hands.
Project Manager on the Road
Driving between job sites and need to send the subcontract to your excavation sub. Ask: "Find the sub agreement for Valley Excavation and download it." Foreman AI finds the file, downloads it to your phone, and you forward it from the truck.
Precon Lead Doing Takeoffs
Your boss calls asking about the concrete quantities. You're at lunch. No problem — "Read the quantities summary from the takeoff folder." The AI reads the file and drops the numbers right into chat.
Under the Hood
Desktop Connect is built with security and simplicity in mind. Here's the technical breakdown for the curious.
Outbound-Only Connection
The desktop bridge connects outward to Foreman AI's cloud relay. No inbound ports, no firewall changes, no IT tickets. If your PC can browse the web, it can run Desktop Connect.
Encrypted Relay
All communication between your desktop and the cloud uses TLS encryption. File data, screenshots, and commands travel through the same secure channel.
User-Scoped Access
The bridge is tied to your Foreman AI account. Only your chat session can reach your desktop. No shared access, no multi-user risk.
Lightweight Footprint
The bridge app uses minimal CPU and memory — it sits idle until a request comes in. Built in Python with WebSocket connections. No heavy installs or background services.
50 MB File Limit
Individual file downloads are capped at 50 MB to keep transfers fast and reliable. For larger files, use the file-open command to work with them directly on the desktop.
Cross-Platform
Desktop bridge runs on Windows and macOS. One-click installers for both. No dependencies to install — everything is bundled.
Get Started in 60 Seconds
1
Open Foreman AI Chat and look for the Desktop Connect card in the welcome screen.
2
Click "Connect Desktop" and run the installer it gives you (Windows .bat or macOS .command).
3
Once the bridge shows "Connected" in the terminal window, you're live. Start asking.
Ready to connect your desktop?
Open chat, install the bridge, and start pulling files from the field. It takes less than a minute.