Workbench turns your Mac into a remote workstation you can control from an iPad or iPhone. You install a native app on each device and pair them—no router tweaks or firewall hacks needed, thanks to Astropad’s global relay network across 11 regions. Once connected, you get perceptually lossless visuals, Retina support, and ultra-low latency through the LIQUID engine, which automatically switches codecs to match network conditions. AES-256 end-to-end encryption keeps your screen, keyboard, and mouse activity private. The app targets AI workflows on headless Macs, especially Mac minis running automated jobs or AI agents. You can monitor progress, view logs, and restart processes without plugging in a monitor or peripherals. Voice control lets you dictate commands from your iOS device straight to the Mac. Apple Pencil and gesture support add precision—pinch to zoom, pan with touch, or click with a virtual middle mouse button when working in CAD or 3D tools. Setup is straightforward: macOS 15 or later, iOS/iPadOS 26 or later. Apple Silicon is recommended—Intel Macs work but lack H.265 support and rely on a single codec. No manual port forwarding, VPN tweaks, or special firewall rules. Workbench adapts to wired or wireless networks automatically, though a stable connection improves performance. Under the hood, LIQUID’s multi-codec system balances image quality and responsiveness. Vibrant colors, minimal compression artifacts, and smooth zooming or scrolling make it feel almost local. With these features, you get real-time remote access to both GUI apps and background AI processes, all secured by modern encryption standards.