At a Glance:
OpenWork is an open-source desktop application and local-first agentic workflow host, positioned as an alternative to Claude Cowork/Codex, that runs OpenCode locally, supports host/client modes, and allows teams to share repeatable workflows.
Overview:
OpenWork is a desktop GUI and local runtime for OpenCode agentic workflows, designed as an open-source alternative to Claude Cowork/Codex. It runs entirely on your machine in host mode or connects to a remote OpenCode server in client mode. The application focuses on making agentic workflows composable, auditable, and permissioned, allowing users to create, run, and share repeatable processes. OpenWork includes session management, live streaming via SSE, execution plan timelines, template saving, and a skills manager for OpenCode plugins. It also provides an optional CLI-only orchestrator for users who prefer terminal-based operation without the desktop UI.
Key Decision Points:
Local-first with remote option: Runs locally by default but supports connecting to remote OpenCode servers when team sharing is needed.
Desktop GUI or CLI headless: Choose between the full desktop app or the OpenWork Orchestrator CLI for terminal-only operation.
Host and client modes: Operate as a self-contained local host or connect to an existing OpenCode server by URL.
Permission-aware execution: Permission requests from tools can be approved once, always, or denied directly from the UI.
Plugin management via UI: OpenCode plugins defined in
opencode.jsoncan be managed through the Skills tab without manual file editing.
Core Features:
Host and client modes: Run OpenCode locally or connect to a remote OpenCode server by URL.
Session management: Create, select, and switch between sessions for different workflows.
Live streaming via SSE: Subscribe to Server-Sent Events for real-time updates on agent progress and tool execution.
Execution plan timeline: Visualize OpenCode todos rendered as a timeline within the UI.
Permission handling: Surface and respond to tool permission requests with allow once, always, or deny options.
Skills manager: List installed
.opencode/skillsfolders, import local skill folders, and manage OpenCode plugins through the UI.
Use Cases:
Developers running agentic coding workflows locally who want a desktop GUI instead of CLI-only interaction with OpenCode.
Teams productizing repeatable agentic workflows by saving templates and sharing them through remote server connections.
Users who need auditable agent sessions with debug exports and runtime reports for troubleshooting.
Terminal-focused operators using the OpenWork Orchestrator CLI to run OpenCode without the desktop UI.
Open-Source Alternative Value:
OpenWork provides an open-source desktop application for agentic workflows built on OpenCode, offering local-first operation without relying on cloud-only services. As an alternative to Claude Cowork/Codex, it gives users the ability to run agentic processes entirely on their own machine, inspect debug reports and developer logs, and manage plugins through a UI. The composable architecture allows switching between desktop GUI, CLI orchestrator, and remote server modes, while the ejectable design ensures that all OpenCode capabilities remain available even if the UI is removed.
