Now’s your chance to try Signal’s desktop Chrome app

The desktop version of Edward Snowden’s favored end-to-end messaging system, Signal, is now available to anyone who wants to check it out. Open Whisper Systems announced the desktop version back in December, but until today it was invite-only.

It’s not a native app but a Chrome app, meaning it installs in the browser but gets in its own little window — which is either a plus or a minus depending on how you work. You’ll also need to be using the Signal Android app — the iOS version isn’t supported just yet.

Setup is largely automatic: you’ll add the Chrome app to the list of devices associated with your number with a text and a QR code. It’s just a tap or two to unlink, as well, in case you need to do so in a hurry.

The app is still in beta, so it may not be feature-complete: the desktop version doesn’t support SMS, for instance, though texts will still appear in the mobile app.