diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 19fe7c0..a84c875 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -100,6 +100,9 @@ You will need the Android SDK and NDK installed and configured for real device o
 Desktop automation is resolved through the secure gRPC API rather than synthetic auto-type.
 See [`docs/desktop-automation.md`](./docs/desktop-automation.md).
 
+On desktop, KeePassGO now listens on a Unix socket by default under the user runtime directory.
+Set `KEEPASSGO_GRPC_ADDR` or `-grpc-addr` to override it, for example `tcp://127.0.0.1:47777`.
+
 ## Browser Extension
 
 Firefox and Chromium browser integration is available through the local gRPC API plus a native messaging bridge.
diff --git a/browser/extension/README.md b/browser/extension/README.md
index fbd3f03..0da7df8 100644
--- a/browser/extension/README.md
+++ b/browser/extension/README.md
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@
 
 Shared extension assets for Firefox and Chromium-based browsers live here.
 
-- `manifest.firefox.json` uses the fixed Firefox extension id `browser@keepassgo.invalid`
+- `manifest.firefox.json` uses the fixed Firefox extension id `browser@keepassgo.com`
 - `manifest.chromium.json` is the Chromium/Chrome manifest template
-- `background.js` talks to the native messaging host `org.keepassgo.browser`
+- `background.js` talks to the native messaging host `com.keepassgo.browser`
 - `content.js` fills username and password fields on the current page
 - `options.html` stores the local gRPC address and API token in browser extension storage
 
diff --git a/browser/extension/background.js b/browser/extension/background.js
index 07e0a76..d77862f 100644
--- a/browser/extension/background.js
+++ b/browser/extension/background.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 const ext = globalThis.browser ?? globalThis.chrome;
-const nativeHost = "org.keepassgo.browser";
+const nativeHost = "com.keepassgo.browser";
 const defaultSettings = {
-  grpcAddress: "127.0.0.1:47777",
+  grpcAddress: "",
   bearerToken: ""
 };
 
diff --git a/browser/extension/manifest.firefox.json b/browser/extension/manifest.firefox.json
index ea23659..2632fb5 100644
--- a/browser/extension/manifest.firefox.json
+++ b/browser/extension/manifest.firefox.json
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
   ],
   "browser_specific_settings": {
     "gecko": {
-      "id": "browser@keepassgo.invalid"
+      "id": "browser@keepassgo.com"
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/browser/extension/options.html b/browser/extension/options.html
index a1f1246..d1b0b6e 100644
--- a/browser/extension/options.html
+++ b/browser/extension/options.html
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
     <form id="settings-form" class="settings-form">
       <label>
         <span>gRPC address</span>
-        <input id="grpc-address" name="grpc-address" type="text" value="127.0.0.1:47777" autocomplete="off">
+        <input id="grpc-address" name="grpc-address" type="text" value="" placeholder="Leave blank for the local default socket" autocomplete="off">
       </label>
       <label>
         <span>API token</span>
diff --git a/browser/extension/options.js b/browser/extension/options.js
index 75eeee3..ef472c8 100644
--- a/browser/extension/options.js
+++ b/browser/extension/options.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ async function loadSettings() {
   if (!response?.success) {
     throw new Error(response?.error || "Could not load settings.");
   }
-  document.getElementById("grpc-address").value = response.settings.grpcAddress || "127.0.0.1:47777";
+  document.getElementById("grpc-address").value = response.settings.grpcAddress || "";
   document.getElementById("bearer-token").value = response.settings.bearerToken || "";
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/keepassgo-browser-bridge/main.go b/cmd/keepassgo-browser-bridge/main.go
index 0fd8e8d..d20795b 100644
--- a/cmd/keepassgo-browser-bridge/main.go
+++ b/cmd/keepassgo-browser-bridge/main.go
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/browserbridge"
+	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/grpcaddr"
 )
 
 func main() {
@@ -39,6 +41,8 @@ func runInstallNativeHost(args []string) error {
 	browserName := fs.String("browser", string(browserbridge.BrowserFirefox), "target browser: firefox, chrome, chromium")
 	binaryPath := fs.String("binary", "", "path to keepassgo-browser-bridge binary")
 	extensionID := fs.String("extension-id", "", "browser extension id (required for chrome/chromium)")
+	extensionKey := fs.String("extension-key", "", "Chromium manifest public key used to derive a fixed extension id")
+	extensionKeyFile := fs.String("extension-key-file", "", "path to a Chromium manifest public key file")
 	outputPath := fs.String("output", "", "native host manifest output path")
 	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -51,7 +55,25 @@ func runInstallNativeHost(args []string) error {
 		}
 		path = resolved
 	}
-	installed, err := browserbridge.InstallManifest(browserbridge.Browser(strings.TrimSpace(*browserName)), path, strings.TrimSpace(*extensionID), strings.TrimSpace(*outputPath))
+	resolvedExtensionID := strings.TrimSpace(*extensionID)
+	if resolvedExtensionID == "" {
+		keyValue := strings.TrimSpace(*extensionKey)
+		if keyValue == "" && strings.TrimSpace(*extensionKeyFile) != "" {
+			data, err := os.ReadFile(strings.TrimSpace(*extensionKeyFile))
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			keyValue = string(data)
+		}
+		if keyValue != "" {
+			derivedID, err := browserbridge.ChromiumExtensionIDFromManifestKey(keyValue)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			resolvedExtensionID = derivedID
+		}
+	}
+	installed, err := browserbridge.InstallManifest(browserbridge.Browser(strings.TrimSpace(*browserName)), path, resolvedExtensionID, strings.TrimSpace(*outputPath))
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -61,7 +83,7 @@ func runInstallNativeHost(args []string) error {
 
 func runStatus(args []string) error {
 	fs := flag.NewFlagSet("status", flag.ContinueOnError)
-	grpcAddr := fs.String("grpc-addr", browserbridge.DefaultGRPCAddress, "KeePassGO local gRPC address")
+	grpcAddr := fs.String("grpc-addr", grpcaddr.Default(runtime.GOOS), "KeePassGO local gRPC address")
 	token := fs.String("token", "", "KeePassGO API bearer token")
 	if err := fs.Parse(args); err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/docs/browser-extension.md b/docs/browser-extension.md
index 6fc9ae2..76c3e68 100644
--- a/docs/browser-extension.md
+++ b/docs/browser-extension.md
@@ -28,6 +28,20 @@ The browser integration uses:
 
 The browser feature intentionally stays on the same secure gRPC surface used by other trusted automation.
 
+## Default Listener
+
+On desktop KeePassGO listens on a Unix socket by default:
+
+- primary location: under the user runtime directory
+- fallback: `/run/user/<uid>` if present
+- final fallback: a private directory under the system temp directory
+
+Override the listener with `-grpc-addr` or `KEEPASSGO_GRPC_ADDR`, for example:
+
+```bash
+KEEPASSGO_GRPC_ADDR=tcp://127.0.0.1:47777 ./keepassgo
+```
+
 ## Native Host
 
 Build the bridge:
@@ -45,10 +59,16 @@ Install a Firefox native messaging manifest:
 Install a Chromium native messaging manifest:
 
 ```bash
-./keepassgo-browser-bridge install-native-host --browser chromium --binary /absolute/path/to/keepassgo-browser-bridge --extension-id <your-extension-id>
+./keepassgo-browser-bridge install-native-host --browser chromium --binary /absolute/path/to/keepassgo-browser-bridge --extension-key-file /path/to/chromium-extension-public-key.txt
 ```
 
-Chrome and Chromium require the actual extension id in the native host manifest.
+Chrome and Chromium require the actual extension id in the native host manifest. KeePassGO can derive that id from the Chromium manifest public key so you do not have to type it separately.
+
+For a fixed Chromium ID:
+
+1. Keep a stable Chromium extension signing key outside the repo.
+2. Add the corresponding public key to the Chromium manifest as `"key": "<base64-public-key>"`.
+3. Use the same public key with `install-native-host --extension-key-file ...` so the native host manifest is locked to that stable extension ID.
 
 ## Extension Setup
 
@@ -56,7 +76,7 @@ Firefox:
 
 1. Load `browser/extension/manifest.firefox.json` as a temporary add-on or package it as an extension.
 2. Open the extension settings page.
-3. Set the KeePassGO gRPC address, usually `127.0.0.1:47777`.
+3. Leave the gRPC address blank to use the local default Unix socket, or set an explicit address if you overrode the listener.
 4. Paste an API token scoped for browser login lookup and credential copy.
 
 Chromium / Chrome:
diff --git a/internal/api/host.go b/internal/api/host.go
index d8480db..8149144 100644
--- a/internal/api/host.go
+++ b/internal/api/host.go
@@ -4,10 +4,13 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/clipboard"
+	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/grpcaddr"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/passwords"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/session"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/vault"
@@ -27,6 +30,7 @@ type Host struct {
 	lastModel  vault.Model
 	started    bool
 	listenAddr string
+	socketPath string
 }
 
 func StartHost(addr string, lifecycle lifecycleBackend, profiles map[string]passwords.Profile, clipboardWriter clipboard.Writer, dirty DirtyProvider) (*Host, error) {
@@ -35,7 +39,11 @@ func StartHost(addr string, lifecycle lifecycleBackend, profiles map[string]pass
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
-	listener, err := net.Listen("tcp", addr)
+	network, endpoint, err := grpcaddr.Parse(addr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	listener, socketPath, err := listen(network, endpoint)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("listen gRPC host %s: %w", addr, err)
 	}
@@ -50,7 +58,8 @@ func StartHost(addr string, lifecycle lifecycleBackend, profiles map[string]pass
 		listener:   listener,
 		lifecycle:  lifecycle,
 		dirty:      dirty,
-		listenAddr: listener.Addr().String(),
+		listenAddr: formatListenAddress(network, listener.Addr().String(), socketPath),
+		socketPath: socketPath,
 		started:    true,
 	}
 	if err := host.SyncFromLifecycle(); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, session.ErrLocked) {
@@ -91,7 +100,13 @@ func (h *Host) Stop() error {
 	}
 	h.started = false
 	h.grpcServer.Stop()
-	return h.listener.Close()
+	err := h.listener.Close()
+	if h.socketPath != "" {
+		if removeErr := os.Remove(h.socketPath); removeErr != nil && !errors.Is(removeErr, os.ErrNotExist) && err == nil {
+			err = removeErr
+		}
+	}
+	return err
 }
 
 func (h *Host) SyncFromLifecycle() error {
@@ -120,3 +135,35 @@ func (h *Host) SyncFromLifecycle() error {
 	h.server.SetSessionState(h.lastModel, locked, dirty)
 	return nil
 }
+
+func listen(network, endpoint string) (net.Listener, string, error) {
+	if network == "unix" {
+		if err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(endpoint), 0o700); err != nil {
+			return nil, "", err
+		}
+		if err := os.Remove(endpoint); err != nil && !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+			return nil, "", err
+		}
+		listener, err := net.Listen("unix", endpoint)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, "", err
+		}
+		if err := os.Chmod(endpoint, 0o600); err != nil {
+			_ = listener.Close()
+			return nil, "", err
+		}
+		return listener, endpoint, nil
+	}
+	listener, err := net.Listen(network, endpoint)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", err
+	}
+	return listener, "", nil
+}
+
+func formatListenAddress(network, listenerAddr, socketPath string) string {
+	if network == "unix" {
+		return "unix://" + socketPath
+	}
+	return listenerAddr
+}
diff --git a/internal/api/host_test.go b/internal/api/host_test.go
index dea65bf..b519a8a 100644
--- a/internal/api/host_test.go
+++ b/internal/api/host_test.go
@@ -2,10 +2,13 @@ package api
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"errors"
 	"net"
+	"os"
 	"testing"
 
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/apitokens"
+	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/grpcaddr"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/passwords"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/session"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/vault"
@@ -42,10 +45,14 @@ func TestStartHostServesVaultLifecycleAndSyncsSessionState(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	defer func() { _ = host.Stop() }()
 
+	network, endpoint, err := grpcaddr.Parse(host.Address())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Parse(host.Address()) error = %v", err)
+	}
 	conn, err := grpc.NewClient("passthrough:///"+host.Address(),
 		grpc.WithTransportCredentials(insecure.NewCredentials()),
 		grpc.WithContextDialer(func(context.Context, string) (net.Conn, error) {
-			return net.Dial("tcp", host.Address())
+			return net.Dial(network, endpoint)
 		}),
 	)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -80,3 +87,37 @@ func TestStartHostServesVaultLifecycleAndSyncsSessionState(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal("GetSessionStatus().Locked = false, want true after lifecycle lock")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestStartHostServesOverUnixSocket(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	socketDir := t.TempDir()
+	socketPath := socketDir + "/keepassgo.sock"
+	lifecycle := &session.Manager{}
+	if err := lifecycle.Create(vault.Model{
+		Entries: []vault.Entry{
+			testAPITokenEntry(t,
+				apitokens.PolicyRule{Effect: apitokens.EffectAllow, Operation: apitokens.OperationManageVault, Resource: apitokens.Resource{Kind: apitokens.ResourceGroup, Path: []string{"Root"}}},
+			),
+		},
+	}, vault.MasterKey{Password: "correct horse battery staple"}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Create() error = %v", err)
+	}
+
+	host, err := StartHost("unix://"+socketPath, lifecycle, passwords.DefaultProfiles(), nil, func() bool { return false })
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("StartHost() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got := host.Address(); got != "unix://"+socketPath {
+		t.Fatalf("host.Address() = %q, want %q", got, "unix://"+socketPath)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(socketPath); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Stat(socketPath) error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := host.Stop(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Stop() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if _, err := os.Stat(socketPath); !errors.Is(err, os.ErrNotExist) {
+		t.Fatalf("socket exists after Stop(), err = %v, want not-exist", err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/appui/runtime.go b/internal/appui/runtime.go
index 0c09ca6..5aeffac 100644
--- a/internal/appui/runtime.go
+++ b/internal/appui/runtime.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/apiapproval"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/apitokens"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/appui/platform"
+	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/grpcaddr"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/passwords"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/session"
 	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/vault"
@@ -56,10 +57,7 @@ func Main() {
 }
 
 func defaultGRPCAddr(goos string) string {
-	if strings.EqualFold(strings.TrimSpace(goos), "android") {
-		return "off"
-	}
-	return "127.0.0.1:47777"
+	return grpcaddr.Default(goos)
 }
 
 func run(w *app.Window, mode string, paths statePaths, grpcAddr string) error {
diff --git a/internal/browserbridge/bridge.go b/internal/browserbridge/bridge.go
index 1e9f05f..d85ec1e 100644
--- a/internal/browserbridge/bridge.go
+++ b/internal/browserbridge/bridge.go
@@ -2,22 +2,26 @@ package browserbridge
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"encoding/base64"
 	"encoding/binary"
 	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 
+	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/grpcaddr"
 	keepassgov1 "git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/proto/keepassgo/v1"
 )
 
 const (
-	NativeHostName       = "org.keepassgo.browser"
-	DefaultGRPCAddress   = "127.0.0.1:47777"
-	defaultFirefoxID     = "browser@keepassgo.invalid"
+	NativeHostName       = "com.keepassgo.browser"
+	defaultFirefoxID     = "browser@keepassgo.com"
 	maxNativeMessageSize = 1024 * 1024
+	chromiumIDBytes      = 16
 )
 
 type Request struct {
@@ -136,7 +140,7 @@ func (r Request) Connection() (Connection, error) {
 		BearerToken: strings.TrimSpace(r.BearerToken),
 	}
 	if conn.GRPCAddress == "" {
-		conn.GRPCAddress = DefaultGRPCAddress
+		conn.GRPCAddress = grpcaddr.Default(runtime.GOOS)
 	}
 	if conn.BearerToken == "" {
 		return Connection{}, fmt.Errorf("browser bridge bearer token is required")
@@ -277,6 +281,31 @@ func Manifest(browser Browser, binaryPath, extensionID string) (NativeHostManife
 	}
 }
 
+func ChromiumExtensionIDFromManifestKey(raw string) (string, error) {
+	normalized := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+	normalized = strings.ReplaceAll(normalized, "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----", "")
+	normalized = strings.ReplaceAll(normalized, "-----END PUBLIC KEY-----", "")
+	normalized = strings.ReplaceAll(normalized, "\n", "")
+	normalized = strings.ReplaceAll(normalized, "\r", "")
+	normalized = strings.ReplaceAll(normalized, "\t", "")
+	normalized = strings.ReplaceAll(normalized, " ", "")
+	if normalized == "" {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("chromium extension key is required")
+	}
+	publicKeyDER, err := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(normalized)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("decode chromium extension key: %w", err)
+	}
+	hash := sha256.Sum256(publicKeyDER)
+	var builder strings.Builder
+	builder.Grow(chromiumIDBytes * 2)
+	for _, b := range hash[:chromiumIDBytes] {
+		builder.WriteByte('a' + ((b >> 4) & 0x0f))
+		builder.WriteByte('a' + (b & 0x0f))
+	}
+	return builder.String(), nil
+}
+
 func DefaultManifestPath(browser Browser) (string, error) {
 	home, err := os.UserHomeDir()
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/browserbridge/bridge_test.go b/internal/browserbridge/bridge_test.go
index f9b360c..b929bff 100644
--- a/internal/browserbridge/bridge_test.go
+++ b/internal/browserbridge/bridge_test.go
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	keepassgov1 "git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/proto/keepassgo/v1"
@@ -39,6 +41,9 @@ func TestReadRequestAndWriteResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	if req.Action != "find-logins" || req.BearerToken != "secret" {
 		t.Fatalf("ReadRequest() = %#v, want action and token preserved", req)
 	}
+	if conn, err := req.Connection(); err != nil || conn.GRPCAddress != "127.0.0.1:47777" {
+		t.Fatalf("req.Connection() = (%#v, %v), want explicit tcp address preserved", conn, err)
+	}
 
 	var output bytes.Buffer
 	if err := WriteResponse(&output, Response{Success: true, Version: "1"}); err != nil {
@@ -118,6 +123,22 @@ func TestHandleRequestRequiresBearerToken(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRequestConnectionDefaultsAddress(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	req := Request{Action: "status", BearerToken: "secret"}
+	conn, err := req.Connection()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("Connection() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if conn.GRPCAddress == "" {
+		t.Fatal("Connection().GRPCAddress = empty, want default address")
+	}
+	if runtime.GOOS != "windows" && !strings.HasPrefix(conn.GRPCAddress, "unix://") && conn.GRPCAddress != "off" {
+		t.Fatalf("Connection().GRPCAddress = %q, want unix socket default on this platform", conn.GRPCAddress)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestInstallManifest(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 
@@ -147,6 +168,19 @@ func TestInstallManifest(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestChromiumExtensionIDFromManifestKey(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	const publicKey = "MFwwDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEBBQADSwAwSAJBAMfW0u1k4K5A0uN2s0aH7uQKpM3x5Hf8mZfY1xVh0m7E2mJ7M8GiV4m0g0I2w9U9D1yqGQ6w8jzH5v8t7qB2RjMCAwEAAQ=="
+	got, err := ChromiumExtensionIDFromManifestKey(publicKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ChromiumExtensionIDFromManifestKey() error = %v", err)
+	}
+	if got != "okcdfigpojphpoecpglkkmkjmiaefmpd" {
+		t.Fatalf("ChromiumExtensionIDFromManifestKey() = %q, want %q", got, "okcdfigpojphpoecpglkkmkjmiaefmpd")
+	}
+}
+
 type fakeClient struct {
 	status     *keepassgov1.GetSessionStatusResponse
 	matches    []*keepassgov1.BrowserLoginMatch
diff --git a/internal/browserbridge/client.go b/internal/browserbridge/client.go
index 6a5f37f..8a6f49f 100644
--- a/internal/browserbridge/client.go
+++ b/internal/browserbridge/client.go
@@ -4,8 +4,10 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"net"
+	"runtime"
 	"strings"
 
+	"git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/internal/grpcaddr"
 	keepassgov1 "git.julianfamily.org/keepassgo/proto/keepassgo/v1"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/credentials/insecure"
@@ -18,20 +20,27 @@ type GRPCClient struct {
 
 func Dial(ctx context.Context, conn Connection) (*grpc.ClientConn, *GRPCClient, context.Context, error) {
 	if strings.TrimSpace(conn.GRPCAddress) == "" {
-		conn.GRPCAddress = DefaultGRPCAddress
+		conn.GRPCAddress = grpcaddr.Default(runtime.GOOS)
 	}
 	if strings.TrimSpace(conn.BearerToken) == "" {
 		return nil, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("browser bridge bearer token is required")
 	}
-	address := strings.TrimSpace(conn.GRPCAddress)
-	grpcConn, err := grpc.NewClient("passthrough:///"+address,
+	network, endpoint, err := grpcaddr.Parse(conn.GRPCAddress)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
+	}
+	target := endpoint
+	if network == "unix" {
+		target = "passthrough:///" + endpoint
+	}
+	grpcConn, err := grpc.NewClient(target,
 		grpc.WithTransportCredentials(insecure.NewCredentials()),
 		grpc.WithContextDialer(func(context.Context, string) (net.Conn, error) {
-			return net.Dial("tcp", address)
+			return net.Dial(network, endpoint)
 		}),
 	)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("dial gRPC host %s: %w", address, err)
+		return nil, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("dial gRPC host %s: %w", strings.TrimSpace(conn.GRPCAddress), err)
 	}
 	ctx = metadata.AppendToOutgoingContext(ctx, "authorization", "Bearer "+strings.TrimSpace(conn.BearerToken))
 	return grpcConn, &GRPCClient{client: keepassgov1.NewVaultServiceClient(grpcConn)}, ctx, nil
diff --git a/internal/grpcaddr/addr.go b/internal/grpcaddr/addr.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce8cb5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/grpcaddr/addr.go
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+package grpcaddr
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+)
+
+const socketName = "keepassgo-grpc.sock"
+
+func Default(goos string) string {
+	if strings.EqualFold(strings.TrimSpace(goos), "android") {
+		return "off"
+	}
+	if strings.EqualFold(strings.TrimSpace(goos), "windows") {
+		return "127.0.0.1:47777"
+	}
+	return "unix://" + DefaultSocketPath()
+}
+
+func DefaultSocketPath() string {
+	return filepath.Join(runtimeDir(), "keepassgo", socketName)
+}
+
+func runtimeDir() string {
+	if dir := strings.TrimSpace(os.Getenv("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR")); dir != "" {
+		return dir
+	}
+	if runtime.GOOS != "windows" {
+		uid := strconv.Itoa(os.Getuid())
+		runUserDir := filepath.Join("/run/user", uid)
+		if info, err := os.Stat(runUserDir); err == nil && info.IsDir() {
+			return runUserDir
+		}
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(os.TempDir(), fmt.Sprintf("keepassgo-runtime-%d", os.Getuid()))
+}
+
+func Parse(raw string) (network, endpoint string, err error) {
+	value := strings.TrimSpace(raw)
+	switch {
+	case value == "":
+		return "", "", fmt.Errorf("gRPC address is required")
+	case strings.EqualFold(value, "off"):
+		return "", "", nil
+	case strings.HasPrefix(value, "unix://"):
+		path := strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(value, "unix://"))
+		if path == "" {
+			return "", "", fmt.Errorf("unix gRPC socket path is required")
+		}
+		return "unix", path, nil
+	case strings.HasPrefix(value, "tcp://"):
+		addr := strings.TrimSpace(strings.TrimPrefix(value, "tcp://"))
+		if addr == "" {
+			return "", "", fmt.Errorf("tcp gRPC address is required")
+		}
+		return "tcp", addr, nil
+	case strings.HasPrefix(value, "/"):
+		return "unix", value, nil
+	default:
+		return "tcp", value, nil
+	}
+}
diff --git a/internal/grpcaddr/addr_test.go b/internal/grpcaddr/addr_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f7f195c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/grpcaddr/addr_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+package grpcaddr
+
+import (
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestDefaultUsesUnixSocketOnUnixLikeSystems(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("unix default is not expected on windows")
+	}
+	t.Setenv("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR", "/tmp/keepassgo-runtime-test")
+
+	got := Default("linux")
+	want := "unix:///tmp/keepassgo-runtime-test/keepassgo/keepassgo-grpc.sock"
+	if got != want {
+		t.Fatalf("Default() = %q, want %q", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParse(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name        string
+		input       string
+		wantNetwork string
+		wantEnd     string
+	}{
+		{name: "unix scheme", input: "unix:///tmp/keepassgo.sock", wantNetwork: "unix", wantEnd: "/tmp/keepassgo.sock"},
+		{name: "tcp scheme", input: "tcp://127.0.0.1:47777", wantNetwork: "tcp", wantEnd: "127.0.0.1:47777"},
+		{name: "bare path", input: filepath.Clean("/tmp/keepassgo.sock"), wantNetwork: "unix", wantEnd: filepath.Clean("/tmp/keepassgo.sock")},
+		{name: "bare tcp", input: "127.0.0.1:47777", wantNetwork: "tcp", wantEnd: "127.0.0.1:47777"},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			gotNetwork, gotEnd, err := Parse(tt.input)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("Parse() error = %v", err)
+			}
+			if gotNetwork != tt.wantNetwork || gotEnd != tt.wantEnd {
+				t.Fatalf("Parse() = (%q, %q), want (%q, %q)", gotNetwork, gotEnd, tt.wantNetwork, tt.wantEnd)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}