Install Bridge on the Windows or Linux computer that runs ComfyUI. You can then use its GPU from Studio on another computer. The Bridge host does not need Studio, Node.js, Python for Bridge itself, or the Bridge source code.
Bridge is a standalone command-line application with a per-user background service. Its ZIP includes the executable, installer script and license notices. ComfyUI and its Python environment are separate.
Before you start #
- Use Windows x64 or Linux x64. The public download page offers these qualified platforms.
- Have ComfyUI working on the host. Bridge uses port 8188 by default; use
--comfy-port PORTwhen pairing if yours differs. - Sign in to your Sweet Tea account in Studio and in a browser for pairing.
- Keep the host awake, connected to the internet, and signed in as the installing user. Background startup is tied to that user's session.
- The computers need a direct network route. Bridge tries direct connectivity; it does not relay generation files through the cloud.
For a rented GPU with ComfyUI already included, follow Use a remote GPU.
Download and verify #
Open Downloads → ST Bridge. Download the package for the host's operating system and its SHA-256 checksum. Extract the whole ZIP into a folder.
The Windows executable is Authenticode-signed. Its current verified publisher is Jeff Otieno, the signing identity used by Tea Time Labs. Linux packages have SHA-256 checksums; they are not Authenticode-signed. Download links identify an exact version and immutable release.
On Windows, compare the ZIP hash with the checksum shown on the download page:
Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 .\st-bridge-VERSION-windows-amd64.zipOn Linux, keep the ZIP and its checksum file together and run:
sha256sum -c st-bridge-VERSION-linux-amd64.zip.sha256Replace VERSION with the downloaded version. Do not continue if the checksum differs.
Install on Windows #
Open PowerShell in the extracted package folder. Check the executable signature:
Get-AuthenticodeSignature .\st-bridge.exe | Format-List Status,SignerCertificateRequire Status: Valid and the expected publisher above. Then install for your current user:
powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\install.ps1
& "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\SweetTeaBridge\st-bridge.exe" connect --label "My GPU computer"The execution-policy argument applies only to the installer process; it does not change your saved Windows policy. Organization-managed policy may still restrict installation.
Open the URL printed by Bridge, sign in, compare the machine code and approve your computer. Once paired, press Ctrl+C in the terminal, then start the installed background task:
Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ST Bridge"Bridge starts again when this user signs in. It runs without an administrator account. Use Task Scheduler → ST Bridge to start or stop it.
Install on Linux #
Open a terminal in the extracted package folder:
sh ./install.sh
"$HOME/.local/bin/st-bridge" connect --label "My GPU computer"Open the printed URL, sign in, compare the machine code and approve the computer. Once paired, press Ctrl+C, then start the service:
systemctl --user start st-bridge.service
systemctl --user status st-bridge.serviceThe installer enables startup for your user session. It does not enable unattended startup before login. To run a dedicated server after logout, configure that user's service lifecycle with your host administrator.
If the installer says no user service manager is available, keep Bridge running in your existing supervisor with:
"$HOME/.local/bin/st-bridge" serve-configuredFor containers, use the published Bridge image and its built-in supervisor.
Confirm the connection #
In Studio, open the engine menu at the top of the generation workspace and choose Connect another machine. Use I’ve paired it · find my machine, then select the paired host from the engine menu. Confirm that the host and its ComfyUI runtime are ready. Choose a Pipe whose dependencies are installed and generate a small image.
Pairing confirms your account and machine identity. It does not install ComfyUI or models. If the host appears but the engine is offline, start its ComfyUI installation and confirm the selected port. If a direct route cannot be established, use a reachable private network or Studio's supported SSH connection path.
Update or remove Bridge #
Download and verify the newer package. Stop the background process, run the new installer, then start it again. Installation preserves the separate state folder, including pairing and remote work.
| Platform | Stop | Start |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PowerShell | Stop-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ST Bridge" | Start-ScheduledTask -TaskName "ST Bridge" |
| Linux terminal | systemctl --user stop st-bridge.service | systemctl --user start st-bridge.service |
To remove the application, stop it and unregister its task or disable/remove its user service. Remove the installed program at %LOCALAPPDATA%\SweetTeaBridge on Windows or ~/.local/share/SweetTeaBridge and ~/.local/bin/st-bridge on Linux.
State remains at %APPDATA%\SweetTeaBridge or ~/.config/SweetTeaBridge (under XDG_CONFIG_HOME when set). Deleting that state also deletes saved pairing and any originals kept there. Revoke the host from your Sweet Tea account when retiring the computer.
