WE Tauri is a free, open-source program for Windows that helps groups build shared collaboration spaces on Holochain. It suits developers, community organizers and small teams who would rather assemble their own tools than adopt one fixed app. The project is filed under Lightning Network in this catalog, but its core job is group collaboration rather than payments.
The last code update came on December 6, 2023, so the project is more than two years old at the time of writing. The latest listed release is an alpha build, we-alpha-0.6.3, so treat it as experimental and do not expect frequent updates. The rest of this page covers what the program does, how to install it safely, and where it fits among similar tools.
Why WE Is Listed Under Lightning Network
The Lightning Network category can confuse readers who expect a payment app. WE is not a Lightning wallet or a node manager. Its underlying runtime is Holochain, a framework for peer-to-peer applications, and WE builds group spaces on top of it.
WE is filed under Lightning Network in this catalog for grouping reasons, not because it sends or receives payments. If you are looking for software to make or receive Lightning payments, the alternatives section below is a better starting point.
Real-World Ways Groups Can Use WE
Consider a small open-source project team that needs one shared place for planning, notes and file review. Instead of moving between several separate apps, the team could compose a space from Applets that cover each of those needs, and every member works in the same environment.
A community organizer running a local volunteer network might use the same approach to set up a space for schedules and announcements. Because each group chooses its own Applets, the setup can stay small or grow over time. WE works best where a group already knows which tasks it needs to support.
Key features
Built-in group management
Composable Applet suites
A defined pattern for Applets
How to install WE Tauri on Windows
- 1
Check the source
Go to the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and avoid mirror sites and file-sharing links that offer the same installer.
- 2
Download the Windows build
Choose the Windows build or installer for the latest release. The most recent listed version is we-alpha-0.6.3, so confirm that the version in the file name matches before you continue.
-
Verify and install
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page, or check the signature if one is provided. Run the installer only after the check passes, and then follow the on-screen prompts.
How to use WE Tauri
WE is built around groups, so the first session is about setting up a space rather than exploring features. The steps below describe the general flow.
- Launch WE from the Start menu or from the folder where you installed it.
- Create a new group for the collaboration space you want to build.
- Choose the Applets that match your group's needs and add them to your suite.
- Invite the members of your group to join, then confirm that each Applet opens for everyone.
- Revisit the suite as your needs change, adding or removing Applets as needed.
Keep the first setup small. A suite with two or three Applets is easier to learn than a large one, and you can expand it once the group is comfortable with the workflow.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and open source
- Source code is publicly available on GitHub
- Groups build their own spaces from composable Applets
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and as a web or browser extension
- Last code update dates from December 2023
- Latest release is an alpha build
- Holochain concepts take time to learn
- Not a payment tool despite its catalog category
Is WE Tauri safe?
WE is not a wallet and does not handle money, but it still stores group data, so basic caution applies. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the installer, and keep antivirus protection active during installation.
Because the last code update was in December 2023, review open issues on GitHub and weigh the risk of an older alpha before using it for important work. Never enter a seed phrase or wallet credentials into any WE window or third-party site, because a collaboration tool has no reason to ask for them.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/lightningrodlabs/we-tauri. 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
WE differs from the other programs in this category mainly in purpose. Polar lets developers run local Lightning networks with one click, which suits testing payment flows. Zap Desktop was a Lightning wallet for everyday payments, but it is no longer supported, so it should not be your first choice today. Peach is a free cross-platform desktop Lightning wallet built for small payments.
WE, by contrast, is a group collaboration runtime built on Holochain. Choose it when you need shared spaces, and choose the others for Lightning testing or everyday payments.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- we-alpha-0.6.3
- Last update
- 6 Dec 2023
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/lightningrodlabs/we-tauri
Frequently asked questions
Yes. WE Tauri is free and open source, and its source code is published on GitHub. You can download the Windows build or installer at no cost from the official website or the GitHub Releases page. Free access does not replace checking the file yourself before installing.
No. WE is a Holochain runtime for building group collaboration spaces. It appears under Lightning Network in this catalog, but it does not send or receive Lightning payments. If you need a payment wallet, look at the alternatives listed on this page.
Yes. Windows is supported through a Windows build or installer. The project also lists macOS, Linux and web or browser extension platforms, so groups with mixed systems have more options for getting started.
An Applet is a collaboration tool that a group adds to its WE space. Each Applet covers one need, such as planning or sharing notes. Groups combine several Applets into a suite and can change that suite as their work evolves over time.
You do not need prior Holochain experience to start, but it helps. WE hides much of the group setup, yet understanding that data is shared peer-to-peer makes it easier to plan access and backups. Reading the section on peer-to-peer runtimes is a good first step.
Polar, Zap Desktop and Peach appear in the same catalog category, but they serve different purposes. Polar suits Lightning development, Zap Desktop is no longer supported, and Peach is a desktop wallet. Their focus is payments or testing rather than group collaboration, so compare tools by purpose, not category alone.
Verdict
WE Tauri suits developers, community organizers and small groups who want to build a shared collaboration space from modular Applets and are comfortable working with an alpha build. It is free, open source and available for Windows. It is a poor choice for anyone who wants a Lightning wallet, or for teams that need a mature product with regular updates, given that the last code update dates from December 2023. Check the latest version on the official website before installing.