Connect a Computer
Canvas chat runs on a computer you connect, using the Codex models on it. Connect it once from AI connections, and its models appear in Canvas chat.
Before you start
- Sign in to Gavana. Computers can’t be connected in a signed-out session.
- On the computer you want to connect, install Codex CLI and sign in to it. Your Codex sign-in stays on that computer.
- You don’t need a computer to make images: Gavana provides image generation separately.
The whole flow
Watch it once from Settings to a computer that’s ready for chat, or click a step under the replay to jump to it.
5 stepsFrom Settings to a computer ready for Canvas chat
Open Your computers
Click Settings (the gear at the bottom of the sidebar), then AI connections in the list on the left. Your computers is at the top of the page.
Add computer
Click Add computer.
Name it and create the command
Type a Computer name you’ll recognise, such as Studio MacBook, and click Create connection command. Gavana shows Connection command ready and waits for the computer, with the status Waiting for this computer…
Run the command on that computer
Choose macOS / Linux or Windows, click the copy button beside the command, and run it once in Terminal (or PowerShell on Windows) on the computer you’re connecting. Keep the Gavana page open: the status changes to Chat available by itself once the computer connects.
The command contains a private token for your account. Run it only on your own computer and don’t share it. If it leaks, replace it as described below.
Check it in the list
Click Back to computers. The computer is listed with Chat available and how many chat models it offers.
More you can do
Choose its chat models, or turn it off
- Click Manage models beside a computer to see its Chat models. Untick Show in chat for any model you don’t want in Canvas chat, and click Make default under the one new chats should start with. Changes save automatically.
- Turn off the switch beside a computer to take its models out of Canvas chat. Turn it back on when you need it again.
ManageChoose its chat models, or turn it off
What the status means
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Chat available | The computer is connected and has at least one chat model to offer |
| Chat unavailable | The computer is connected but can’t chat right now. Open Manage models for the reason, for example Codex CLI not being found |
| Offline | The computer isn’t connected. Its models come back when it reconnects |
Update the companion
On a Mac, open Manage models, click Update companion and run the command it shows in Terminal on that computer. Your connection and sign-in are kept. Do this when Gavana says the companion needs an update.
Add a model by its ID
If a model you use in Codex isn’t listed, open Manage models, then Advanced. Type its exact ID in Add a model by its exact ID and click Add model. Adding a model doesn’t run it.
Replace the command or remove the computer
Open Manage models, then Advanced, and click Connection options:
- Regenerate connection command makes a new command. The old token stops working at once, so run the new command on the computer.
- Delete runtime removes the computer from Gavana after you confirm Delete this runtime?. Work still queued for it won’t run.