Openwork: The Open-Source AI Coworker That Runs Locally—Take Control of Your Workflow

In an era flooded with AI tools, many professionals crave the efficiency boosts AI offers while worrying about data privacy breaches, subscription lock-ins, and tools limited to basic chat functionalities. Enter Openwork—a game-changing open-source desktop AI coworker designed around the core principles of “local operation, user control, and practical utility.” It’s quickly becoming the go-to choice for professionals looking to elevate productivity without compromising on autonomy.

I. What Makes Openwork Stand Out?

With countless AI tools on the market, you might wonder what sets Openwork apart. The answer lies in its foundational design, which differentiates it from traditional cloud-based AI tools through four core pillars: local execution, user autonomy, open-source transparency, and actionable utility.

🖥️ Runs Locally—Your Data Stays Secure on Your Device

Many cloud-based AI tools require uploading files and commands to external servers, leaving users vulnerable to privacy risks. Openwork eliminates this concern by operating entirely on your local machine:

• All files remain stored on your computer—never transmitted to external servers;
• You decide exactly which folders Openwork can access, giving you granular control over your data;
• Whether it’s work documents or personal files, all operations and data stay local. Neither Openwork nor any third party can access your information.

🔑 Bring Your Own AI—No Subscriptions, No Lock-Ins

Traditional AI tools often rely on “free trial + paid subscription” models, increasing long-term costs and restricting functionality. Openwork breaks this mold:

• Supports integration with your own API keys from leading AI providers like OpenAI and Anthropic;
• No mandatory subscriptions, hidden fees, or feature restrictions—you only pay for the native API calls you make;
• Positioned as a “tool” rather than a “service,” it puts you in full control with no dependency on a platform.

📖 Open-Source & Transparent—Customizable and Extensible

Closed-source tools limit users to the features designed by their developers. Openwork’s open-source nature unlocks endless possibilities:

• All code is available on GitHub under the MIT License, so you can inspect every line of logic;
• Freely fork, modify, debug, or even rebuild the tool to fit your unique workflow;
• Community contributors can collaborate to enhance features, ensuring the tool evolves to meet diverse needs.

⚡ Acts, Don’t Just Chat—Turns Prompts Into Actionable Tasks

Most AI tools stop at answering questions, but Openwork focuses on “doing”—integrating directly into your workflow to handle real tasks:

• Manages files: sorts, renames, and moves files based on content or custom rules;
• Creates content: writes, summarizes, or rewrites documents tailored to your needs;
• Automates workflows: lets you define repeatable processes and save them as “skills”;
• Learns new skills: adapts to different industry scenarios and user preferences over time.

II. What Practical Problems Can Openwork Solve?

Now that you know its core features, you might ask: “How can Openwork help with my daily work?” Below are its key use cases, covering high-frequency needs for most professionals:

III. How to Get Started With Openwork? (2-Minute Setup)

Openwork is designed for accessibility—no technical expertise required. Professionals with a college degree or higher can set it up in minutes. Here’s the step-by-step guide:

See Openwork in Action

Words can only tell part of the story. Watch the demo video below to see how Openwork handles file organization, content creation, and more in real time:

Watch the Openwork Demo →

IV. For Developers: How to Contribute to Openwork’s Development & Debugging

If you have basic front-end or desktop development skills and want to customize Openwork or contribute to the community, the following guide will help you set up and maintain a development environment.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure your device meets these requirements:

• Node.js 20 or later;
• pnpm 9 or later.

Core Development Commands

Openwork’s development workflow is streamlined, with key commands covering development, building, testing, and more:

Environment Variables

Customize app behavior during development/testing with these commonly used environment variables:

Openwork’s Architecture

Understanding the architecture will help you customize features more effectively. Openwork’s core structure is divided into two main modules:

apps/
  desktop/        # Electron app (main process + preload script + renderer)
packages/
  shared/         # Shared TypeScript type definitions

• The desktop app is built with Electron, using React for the UI and Vite for bundling;
• The main process spawns the OpenCode CLI via node-pty to execute tasks;
• Sensitive information like API keys is securely stored in the OS keychain (e.g., Mac Keychain) to avoid plaintext storage risks.

For detailed architecture documentation, refer to the CLAUDE.md file in the project repo.

V. How to Contribute to Openwork

As an open-source project, Openwork welcomes contributions from developers worldwide—whether you’re fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation. The contribution process is straightforward:

1. Fork the Openwork GitHub repository to your personal account;
2. Clone the forked repo to your local machine;
3. Create a new feature branch: git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name;
4. Make your changes, test thoroughly to ensure functionality, and follow code style guidelines;
5. Commit your changes with a clear message: git commit -m 'Add [specific feature/improvement]';
6. Push the branch to your forked repo: git push origin feature/your-feature-name;
7. Open a Pull Request on GitHub and wait for project maintainers to review and merge your contribution.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does Openwork support Windows or Linux?

Currently, only the Mac (Apple Silicon) version is publicly available for download. There are no official installers for Windows or Linux yet. However, if you have development experience, you can compile and build the app for these systems using the open-source code.

2. Can I use Openwork without programming skills?

Absolutely. Daily use requires no coding knowledge—just follow the setup steps and issue commands in natural language. Advanced features like custom skills may require basic logical thinking, but no coding is necessary.

3. Is Openwork free to use?

Openwork itself is open-source and free with no usage fees. However, since it requires integration with third-party AI providers (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic), you will incur API call costs directly from the AI service—these fees are unrelated to Openwork.

4. Can Openwork access all my files?

No. You must manually grant Openwork access to specific folders. Unauthorized folders are completely inaccessible to the AI, giving you full control over which data the tool can interact with.

5. Are Openwork’s operation logs saved?

Yes. All actions performed by Openwork generate detailed logs that you can view and review at any time. Logs can also be exported for record-keeping or auditing purposes.

6. Will my API key be compromised if I use Openwork?

No. API keys are stored securely in your operating system’s keychain (e.g., Mac Keychain) and are never uploaded to external servers or accessible to Openwork’s developers.

Conclusion

Openwork’s core value lies in providing professionals with an AI coworker that’s “controllable, efficient, and transparent.” By eliminating the pitfalls of traditional AI tools—subscription lock-ins, data privacy risks, and limited functionality—it puts you back in charge. Running locally, it acts as a true “personal assistant” that enhances productivity for file management, content creation, and workflow automation while keeping your data secure.

Whether you’re a busy professional looking to streamline daily tasks or a developer seeking to customize an AI tool for specific needs, Openwork delivers. If you’re tired of the limitations of cloud-based AI tools, give this open-source desktop AI coworker a try—and take real control of your workflow efficiency.