WE Electron is a free, open source desktop program for Windows that lets small groups build shared collaboration spaces on Holochain. It is aimed at people who want to assemble their own workspace from separate tools instead of relying on one hosted service, and at developers who want a working reference for how such a runtime fits together.
The project describes its role as a reference implementation of a Frame for The Weave. In practical terms, it is a Holochain runtime: a host environment where a group can combine custom Tool suites to meet its particular collaboration needs. The current build is a development test release, so it suits experimentation and evaluation better than daily production work.
What Is a Holochain Runtime?
Holochain is a framework for building peer-to-peer applications in which each participant runs their own node and keeps their own data, rather than relying on one company's servers. A runtime is the environment that actually executes those applications on a machine. WE Electron fills that role on the desktop, so a group member can open the program and take part in the same shared spaces as everyone else.
The practical difference shows up in ownership and control. Conventional collaboration tools store files and messages on a provider's infrastructure. In a peer-to-peer setup, data is spread across participants' nodes, and the rules for sharing it are written into the application itself. That can matter for groups that prefer not to depend on a single hosted service, although it also means each member is responsible for running the software correctly.
When you evaluate a runtime like this, look at how it handles identity, how spaces are created and how updates reach each member. These details shape daily use more than any feature list.
Who Is WE Electron For?
WE Electron is most useful for a few kinds of users:
- Developers exploring the Holochain ecosystem who want a working host for their own Tool suites.
- Small groups comfortable with a pre-release program who want to try composing their own collaboration spaces.
- Researchers or educators comparing peer-to-peer architectures with conventional cloud tools.
It is less suited to someone who needs a finished, polished app for everyday work right now. Because the current build is a development test release, expect changes between versions and keep notes on any setup you create. If you are a developer, reading the source code on GitHub is a practical way to see how the Frame and Tool model are wired together.
Key features
Holochain Runtime
Frame for The Weave
Composable Tool Suites
Cross-Platform Support
How to install WE Electron on Windows
- 1
Get the official download
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/lightningrodlabs/we-electron. Avoid mirrors and bundled installers from unknown sites, even if they look similar.
- 2
Verify the file
Calculate the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file and compare it with the value published with the release. If the release includes a signature, verify that as well. Do not run a file whose checksum does not match.
-
Install and launch
Run the Windows installer, or unpack the standalone build if you chose that option. The project also documents separate Holochain and lair-keystore binaries that must be fetched. Check the release notes and follow them before the first launch, then start WE Electron.
How to use WE Electron
Once the program is installed, the basic workflow is to create or open a collaboration space and then add the Tool suites your group needs. Keep the first session small so you can see how the pieces fit together before inviting others.
- Launch WE Electron from the Start menu or desktop shortcut and let it finish starting its background components.
- Create a new collaboration space, or open one that a group member has already set up.
- Choose the Tool suites you want in the space and add them one at a time.
- Check that each member sees the same space and the same Tool suites.
- Test one workflow from start to finish, such as adding a note or a shared item, before relying on the space for real work.
- Keep a record of the Tool suites and versions you used, since the program is still in development and updates may change behavior.
If something fails to start, repeat the install checks and confirm that the Holochain components are present. A full restart is a sensible first step before reinstalling.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with public source code on GitHub
- Built around composable Tool suites for custom collaboration
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Designed as a Holochain runtime, so spaces are not tied to one central server
- The current build is a development test release
- Setup involves more steps than installing a typical desktop app
- Less suited to groups that want a ready-made, polished tool today
- Expect changes between versions as development continues
Is WE Electron safe?
WE Electron handles cryptographic keys through a keystore component, so treat it with the same care as any program that manages identity. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and avoid copies on third-party download sites. Before running the installer, compute its SHA-256 checksum and compare it with the value published with the release. If a signature is provided, verify it too. Never enter a seed phrase or private key on a third-party website, and be wary of anyone who asks for one. The current build is a pre-release test version, so check the latest version on the official website before installing and note the project's last code update.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/lightningrodlabs/we-electron. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Most of the other programs in the Lightning Network section are built for payments or for testing payment channels. Polar sets up local Lightning networks for development, Zap Desktop and Peach Wallet are desktop wallets for sending and receiving payments, and Juggernaut uses the Lightning Network for encrypted, onion-routed messaging. WE Electron serves a different purpose: it is a Holochain runtime for composing group collaboration spaces, not a payment tool. If you are looking for a Lightning wallet or a test network, one of the listed programs will fit better. If you want a shared workspace built on peer-to-peer technology, WE Electron is the one to examine.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.16.0-dev.10-test.23
- Last update
- 16 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/lightningrodlabs/we-electron
Frequently asked questions
Yes, WE Electron is free and open source. Its source code is published on GitHub, so you can read it, build it yourself or follow its development. Free licensing does not replace checking the download before you install it, as described in the safety section.
It can be, if you get the program from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page and verify its SHA-256 checksum before running the installer. The build is a pre-release test version, so it deserves more caution than a mature application. Never enter a seed phrase or private key on a third-party site.
A Holochain runtime is the software environment that runs peer-to-peer applications on your own computer. Instead of storing data on a company's servers, each participant runs a node. WE Electron acts as that runtime for groups building shared collaboration spaces on Windows, macOS and Linux.
No. WE Electron is built for group collaboration on Holochain rather than for sending Lightning payments, even though it appears in the Lightning Network section of this catalog. If you need a Lightning wallet or a test network, look at the Lightning programs listed as alternatives.
Launch the program, create or open a collaboration space, and add the Tool suites your group needs. Start with a small test space and check one workflow from start to finish before inviting others. The step-by-step guide on this page covers the basic sequence.
The best alternative depends on your goal. Polar is useful for local Lightning network testing, Peach Wallet is a desktop Lightning wallet, and Juggernaut is worth a look for encrypted messaging built on the Lightning Network.
Verdict
WE Electron suits developers and curious groups who want to explore Holochain-based collaboration on Windows. It is free, open source and designed to be composed from custom Tool suites. It is not a polished everyday app, and the current build is a pre-release test version. If that fits your goals, try it in a small test space. If you need a Lightning wallet or payment tool, choose one of the programs listed as alternatives instead.