Open Design

Open Design is an Apache-2.0, local-first design application for macOS and Windows. Its native desktop workflow uses supported coding-agent CLIs installed on the user’s machine, bring-your-own-key model endpoints, or the optional Open Design Cloud model service. It creates file-based artifacts including landing pages, application interfaces, pitch decks, documents, social graphics, dashboards, images, and video. The canonical repository also documents an optional Linux AppImage release lane.

The desktop app manages projects, conversations, files, templates, and previews through a local daemon. Users can refine a brief, choose a visual direction, inspect the plan, preview output in a sandboxed iframe, and export HTML, PDF, PPTX, MP4, or project files where supported. Existing coding-agent subscriptions and API keys retain their own charges. Open Design Cloud is an optional hosted model route billed by token usage, separate from the open-source desktop software.

Top features

• Native desktop workflow: packaged macOS and Windows applications provide the recommended local setup.
• Bring-your-own agent: detect supported coding-agent CLIs on PATH and route design work through the selected tool.
• BYOK and hosted options: connect documented model endpoints or use the optional Open Design Cloud service.
• Local project storage: keep conversations, project metadata, templates, and generated files in a user-controlled workspace.
• Skill-driven workflows: package design capabilities as SKILL.md folders with references and assets.
• Portable design systems: use DESIGN.md to carry typography, color, spacing, motion, components, voice, and constraints into a run.
• Sandboxed preview and export: review generated work in an iframe and export supported web, document, deck, image, or video formats.

Use cases

• Turn a product brief into a landing page or application flow that developers can inspect and continue editing.
• Apply a reusable design system to a deck, document, social asset, dashboard, or internal artifact.
• Use an authenticated coding-agent CLI as the model runtime inside a local desktop workflow.
• Connect an approved BYOK endpoint or the optional Open Design Cloud service.
• Prototype visual directions locally, preview them, and export selected files for version control or handoff.