> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://lava.so/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connecting Your Apps

> Add, sign into, switch between, and remove the apps the Lava desktop agent works across.

Connected apps let the agent read context and act on your behalf. Most apps appear as live, signed-in tabs in your sidebar. The agent reads the active tab for context and acts within it to do work (drafting an email, updating a contact, posting to Slack). Connect the apps you work in, and the agent works across all of them.

<Info>
  **Prerequisites:** Lava installed and signed in. See [Install Lava Desktop](/desktop/install) if you haven't done this yet.
</Info>

## Add an App

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the app picker">
    Click the **+** button at the bottom of the sidebar. The "Connect a new app" screen opens with a searchable grid of available apps.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find your app">
    Scroll through the grid or type in the "Search apps…" field. Each app card shows its name and how it connects.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect the app">
    Click the app card. Lava starts the connection flow for that app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete sign-in">
    Sign in to the app. The app appears as a new tab in your sidebar once the connection is done.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Some slot positions in the sidebar (Email, Calendar, Messaging, CRM, Notes) open a picker when you click them. If you haven't connected an app for that slot yet, the picker shows the available options and a **Connect** button for each.

## Sign In

Apps connect in one of two ways.

**Authorize the app.** Most apps use OAuth. Clicking the app card opens an authorization screen in a browser window or in-app view. Approve access and Lava completes the connection. The agent can then call the app's API on your behalf through the Lava gateway.

**Sign in directly in the tab.** Some apps open a full sign-in page inside their tab. Sign in as you normally would. Once you're signed in, the tab is live and the agent can read it for context.

The "Connect a new app" screen labels each app with its connection type so you know what to expect before you start.

<Note>
  Connecting an app through Lava (so the agent can act through it) is separate from signing in inside the tab (so you can see it). Some apps require both; the screen inside the tab will prompt you if so.
</Note>

## Connect Multiple Accounts for One App

You may be able to connect more than one account for the same app, for example a personal Gmail and a work Gmail. To add a second account, repeat the add-app flow. Each account should appear as its own tab in the sidebar.

<Note>
  Multiple-account support per app has not been verified in a live session. If you connect a second account and it does not appear as a separate tab, check the app's settings inside its tab or disconnect and reconnect both accounts.
</Note>

## Switch Between Apps

Click any tab in the sidebar to bring that app's page into view. The agent panel on the right stays open across all apps. To show or hide the agent panel, press `Cmd+\` (Mac) or `Ctrl+\` (Windows).

## Remove an App

To disconnect an app, look for a **Disconnect** or **Remove** option inside the app's tab. The exact location varies by app: check the app's settings page within its tab, or look for an account or connection menu.

Once removed, the tab disappears from the sidebar and the agent can no longer act through that app.

<Note>
  Removing an app from Lava does not sign you out of that app outside of Lava. Your account in Gmail, Slack, or another service is unaffected.
</Note>

## What You Can Connect

Lava supports apps across email, calendar, messaging, CRM, notes, and more. For the full list organized by category, see [Connectable Apps](/desktop/connectable-apps).

## Troubleshooting

If an app won't connect or its tab stays blank, see [Troubleshooting](/desktop/troubleshooting).

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Working with the Agent" icon="robot" href="/desktop/working-with-agent">
    Give the agent tasks, follow its progress, and approve what it does across your connected apps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connectable Apps" icon="grid-2" href="/desktop/connectable-apps">
    See every app you can connect, organized by category.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>