DEV Community: Oliver Q

Local Route Launcher 1.4: separate launch profiles for ChatGPT and Antigravity

Oliver Q — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 08:11:46 +0000

I built Local Route Launcher to keep network launch settings local to a desktop app instead of changing the operating system's proxy or DNS. Version 1.4.0 adds separate profiles for compatible ChatGPT, Antigravity App, and Antigravity IDE installations on macOS and Windows. Each profile stores its own HTTP proxy host, port, and app path; the launcher passes those settings when starting the selected app.

The main window now lets you start, stop, and inspect each app separately. The same controls remain available from the macOS menu bar or Windows system tray after closing the window. There are nine interface languages, light and dark themes, and a quiet update badge that appears only when a newer stable installer exists for your platform. Clicking the badge downloads the installer in your browser; it does not install anything automatically.

To try it, keep an HTTP proxy you are authorized to use running, save its host and port for a selected app, fully quit that app, then reopen it through the launcher. Diagnostics show proxy reachability, launch arguments, and a snapshot of observed TCP connections. They do not prove that every request uses the proxy, that a signed-in account works, or that any model is available. The launcher does not provide a proxy service or grant access to third-party services.

The release targets Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 13+ and Windows 10 22H2 / Windows 11 x64 with detectable, directly launchable compatible Electron builds. Older native builds, Intel Macs, Windows ARM64, and some restricted Store packages are outside the supported scope. macOS testing covered app detection, proxy launch arguments, and TCP connections; Windows launch and connection tests used an isolated fixture, so real installations still need validation. The macOS build is not notarized, and the Windows installer is unsigned. Check the release source and SHA-256 hashes, and keep system protections enabled.

Download v1.4.0 · Source code · Website

— Oliver

Independent open-source project; not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by OpenAI or Google. Product names identify compatibility only, and their respective owners retain their trademarks. Use only networks, proxy services, and accounts you are authorized to use, subject to applicable laws, network policies, and service terms.

Launching ChatGPT with per-app proxy settings: Local Route Launcher now supports Windows

Oliver Q — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 09:09:26 +0000

I previously shared Local Route Launcher, a small open-source utility for launching a compatible ChatGPT desktop app with an existing HTTP proxy, without changing system proxy or DNS settings.

It started as a macOS project. Version 1.2.0 adds a Windows x64 installer, so Windows users can use the same basic workflow.

What’s in the Windows edition?

A per-user EXE installer with the .NET runtime included—no separate runtime or developer tools required.
English and Simplified Chinese, with light and dark themes.
System tray controls for launching, closing and checking the app. Closing the launcher window keeps it accessible from the tray.
Local diagnostics for proxy reachability, launch arguments and observed TCP connections.

The macOS DMG and menu bar controls remain available. Both editions are free and MIT-licensed.

Getting started

Keep an HTTP proxy you are authorized to use running, save its host and port, then fully quit ChatGPT and reopen it through the launcher. On Windows, the launcher searches for a compatible installation; you can also select ChatGPT.exe manually.

Compatibility and testing

Targets Windows 10 22H2 / Windows 11 x64 and macOS 13+ on Apple Silicon. A detectable Electron-based ChatGPT installation is required. Older native builds, Windows ARM64 and Intel Macs are unsupported; restricted Store packages may reject direct launch.

Windows installation, uninstall and launch behavior passed automated tests using an isolated fixture. A real signed-in ChatGPT session has not been validated. Connection checks are snapshots, not proof that all traffic follows the proxy settings; voice, WebRTC and UDP may behave differently.

Windows packages are unsigned; macOS packages are ad-hoc signed and not notarized. Verify the release origin and checksums, and keep system protections enabled.

Download v1.2.0 · Source code · Website

I’d welcome Windows compatibility reports: your OS and ChatGPT versions, installation source, and sanitized error details would be useful.

— Oliver

Independent project, not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI. ChatGPT is a trademark of OpenAI, used only to identify compatibility. No proxy service is provided. Use authorized networks and services in accordance with applicable laws and service terms.

Local Route Launcher: app-specific launch settings for macOS

Oliver Q — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:47:57 +0000

I wanted a simpler way to launch a compatible ChatGPT installation with a local HTTP proxy while leaving my Mac’s system proxy and DNS settings alone. Switching system-wide settings was inconvenient when other applications needed different configurations.

I built Local Route Launcher, a free, MIT-licensed utility written in SwiftUI and AppKit. It saves a proxy host and port, then passes that configuration to the target application when it starts. It uses a proxy you already run; it does not provide a proxy service.

What it does

Saves local HTTP proxy settings and launches a compatible application with them.
Starts ChatGPT or requests a graceful shutdown.
Checks proxy connectivity, launch arguments, and observed TCP connections.
Provides menu bar controls, light and dark appearances, and instant English / Simplified Chinese switching. Your language choice is remembered.

The launcher does not change system proxy or DNS settings. Its language controls are available in both the main window and menu panel.

Compatibility and limits

Version 1.1.0 targets Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 13 or later, with detectable Electron-based ChatGPT installations. Older native builds and Intel Macs are not supported. Check the compatibility notes before downloading.

Connection checks are snapshots, not proof that every request uses the proxy. Voice, WebRTC, UDP, and some child-process traffic are outside the routing guarantees. Application updates may affect compatibility. macOS-owned menus and dialogs may follow the system language.

Release builds are ad-hoc signed and are not notarized by Apple. Source code and release checksums are available for inspection.

Try it or review the code

GitHub repository · English website · Download v1.1.0

I’d welcome compatibility reports, code reviews, and suggestions for improving the interface.

This is an independent project, not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI. ChatGPT is a trademark of OpenAI and is mentioned only to identify compatibility. Use only networks and services you are authorized to access, in accordance with applicable laws and service terms.

— Oliver

Writing disclosure: this article was drafted with AI assistance.