A desktop installer that includes Moodle, PHP and PostgreSQL. Choose a Moodle version from 4.5 onwards on first launch, work in your own local Moodle and export courses as .mbz backups. You do not install Docker, PHP, Python, Node.js or a database separately. The optional MoodlIA plugin is selected by default and connects your chosen assistant through MCP; Core REST access is also available. AI assistants and model subscriptions are separate.
What it does
- Run a complete Moodle locally with a generated teacher administrator account.
- Select the Moodle version and optional plugins: MoodlIA, and Onetopic tabs on Moodle 4.5, 5.0 or 5.1.
- Create courses manually or connect your assistant using the generated connection files.
- Export courses to another Moodle through standard .mbz backup and restore.
What you need
- Windows x64, macOS Intel or Apple Silicon, or Linux x64/ARM64, with space for Moodle and your courses.
- A GitHub account to download the current preview build artifacts.
- An external assistant and its provider settings only if you want AI-assisted authoring.
Installation
Download a preview installer
Open Native packages on GitHub, sign in and choose a completed successful run. Under Artifacts, download the package for your system: MoodlIA-Windows-x64, MoodlIA-macOS-x64, MoodlIA-macOS-arm64, MoodlIA-Linux-x64 or MoodlIA-Linux-arm64.
Extract the artifact ZIP. On Windows, run the setup .exe; on macOS, open the .dmg and copy the app to Applications; on Linux, install the .deb or .rpm, or choose the AppImage alternative.
These builds are unsigned previews, not a signed public release. Read the validation record and your operating system's security warning before deciding to install. Artifacts expire; use a current successful build.
First use
Open MoodlIA and choose a Moodle version and optional plugins for a new workspace. MoodlIA is selected by default for MCP access; Onetopic tabs are optional on Moodle 4.5, 5.0 and 5.1.
Wait for Moodle's home page. Open MoodlIA → Connection files, read credentials.txt and sign in as teacher. Keep these files private.
Create your course and export a .mbz backup. Test its restore on a compatible destination Moodle; standard activities do not require MoodlIA there.
Good to know
- Preview packages are currently distributed as GitHub Actions artifacts, which require GitHub sign-in and have finite retention. No public GitHub Release is available yet.
- Unsigned builds and native test results do not establish signing, notarization or clean-machine compatibility on every desktop.
- The server is local to your computer. Each workspace keeps its chosen Moodle version; automatic in-place Moodle upgrades and LAN hosting are outside this preview.
- Keep independent backups and close the app before copying a workspace. Transfer courses with .mbz rather than raw database folders; restore compatibility depends on destination versions and plugins.
- Moodle does not call an AI provider by itself. Your chosen assistant may transmit course content according to its provider and settings.