Guide

Everything you need to start helping, in the order you'll need it.

HelpBuoy has two sides. You, the helper, run HelpBuoy Desk on Windows or Linux. The person you help runs the small HelpBuoy program on their Windows PC. Both connect to a relay that you run yourself, usually inside the desk app.

1. Set up your desk

   Start HelpBuoy Desk, run the relay on your own computer and make it reachable from outside.

2. Add someone you help

   The one-time setup on their PC: install, type your address, send you their key.

3. Help someone

   Connect, get permission, fix things, end the session.

4. Help together

   Add more helpers to your relay, so family or colleagues can share the work.

5. Security and privacy

   Who can see what, and why the person you help stays in charge.

6. Run the relay on a server

   Keep the relay online all the time, on an always-on Debian machine.