Back to Home
Get Started with BrioDocs
Install the desktop app, the Microsoft Office add-in, or both. Privacy First — Your Data. Your AI: run on-device or on private infrastructure you control.
What you're installing
| Component | What it does | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| BrioDocs Desktop App | Runs AI on-device, keeping your data on your machine. Can also run Brio private models (hosted or on-prem) or your own cloud LLM key. | Always |
| Word / Outlook Add-in | Brings BrioDocs into Microsoft Office. Connects to the desktop app. | If using Office |
1
Install the BrioDocs Desktop App
The install page auto-detects your operating system and provides the correct installer.
Download BrioDocsMac
- Open the downloaded
.dmgfile - Drag BrioDocs to Applications
- Right-click the app → Open (first launch only — bypasses macOS security)
- Follow the onboarding wizard
Windows
- Run the downloaded installer
- Follow the installation wizard
- Launch BrioDocs from the Start menu
- Follow the onboarding wizard
Onboarding: Select your performance tier based on your RAM, then download an AI model (2–8 GB). An internet connection is required for the initial model download only.
2
Install the Word & Outlook Add-in
Skip this section if you're only using the BrioDocs desktop app.
For IT Administrators
Enterprise Deployment via M365 Admin Center
Pushes the add-in to your entire organization automatically. Users don't need to do anything. Requires Microsoft 365 Global Admin or Exchange Admin privileges.
Manifest URLs — paste these into the M365 Admin Center:
Steps (repeat for Word, then Outlook):
- Sign in to admin.microsoft.com
- Go to Settings → Integrated apps → Upload custom apps
- Select Office Add-in → Provide link to manifest file
- Paste the manifest URL for Word or Outlook above and click Next
- Choose Entire organization or specific users/groups
- Review and click Finish deployment
Deployment can take up to 24 hours to propagate. Users do not need to restart Office. After deployment, a BrioDocs AI button appears in the Word Home ribbon and Outlook toolbar.
Gmail and non-M365 accounts: Enterprise deployment only activates for Microsoft 365 / Exchange accounts. Users who read Gmail or other non-M365 accounts in Outlook will see the button greyed out. Use manual sideloading below for those users.
For Individual Users
Manual Sideloading
Use this for single-user installs, testing, or Gmail / non-M365 accounts in Outlook.
Download the manifest XML file for the add-in you want to install:
Word — Mac
- Open Word → Insert → Add-ins
- My Add-ins tab → ⋯ → Upload My Add-in
- Select the downloaded XML → Upload
Word — Windows
- Open Word → Insert → Get Add-ins
- My Add-ins tab → Upload My Add-in
- Select the downloaded XML → Upload
Outlook — Mac
- Open an email → ⋯ → Get Add-ins
- My add-ins → Add a custom add-in → Add from file...
- Select the downloaded XML → Install
Outlook — Windows
- Click File → Manage Add-ins
- My add-ins → + Add a custom add-in → Add from file...
- Select the downloaded XML → Install
After installing, the BrioDocs AI button appears in the Word Home ribbon and the Outlook toolbar. On first open, if the desktop app isn't running, you'll see a prompt to download it.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| macOS security warning on first launch | Right-click the app → Open → Open. One time only. |
| Add-in not appearing after enterprise deploy | Wait up to 24 hours. User may need to fully quit and reopen Office. |
| Button greyed out in Outlook | Account may be Gmail or non-M365. Use manual sideloading instead. |
| Add-in shows “BrioDocs not running” | Desktop app is not installed or not launched. Click Download BrioDocs in the panel. |
| “Upload My Add-in” not visible | Org policy may block sideloading. Contact IT to use enterprise deployment. |
| Add-in panel doesn't load or shows stale content | Fully quit and reopen Office to clear the cached task pane. |