Local-first desktop software for files, documents, developer workflows, research, and AI-assisted work.
Open source tools with no telemetry, no subscription layer, and optional local AI integration.
File tools | Document tools | Developer tools | AI infrastructure | Open research
| Need | Go to | Best first repo |
|---|---|---|
| Manage local files, prompts, knowledge bases, and desktop utilities | file-bricks | ProFiler, NoteSpaceLLM, RSS-BOOK |
| Work with mail, PDFs, literature, invoices, and document libraries | doc-bricks | UniversalDocsGrabber, UniversalMailCleaner, LitZentrum |
| Build, inspect, package, and maintain local software | dev-bricks | DevCenter, CodeBox, apiprober |
| Connect desktop software to LLM agents and MCP servers | ellmos-ai | bach, ellmos-filecommander-mcp, n8n-manager-mcp |
| Find specialist tools for bioinformatics, finance, games, and public-interest research | biotec-line, assistassets-ai, entertain-and-more, research-line, um-bruch | VFDistiller, FinancialProof, regressangst |
open-bricks is the umbrella profile for a family of small, practical, local-first tools. The shared product idea is simple:
- Your data stays on your machine.
- Desktop apps should still be useful without cloud accounts.
- AI should be an optional capability, not a forced dependency.
- Repositories should be inspectable by humans, GitHub search, and LLM agents.
Most software projects in the ecosystem use Python, PySide6 or web companions, SQLite, local file formats, and focused command-line or API surfaces. AI integrations usually connect through Ollama, Claude-compatible workflows, or MCP servers from ellmos-ai.
| Organization | Public focus | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| file-bricks | Local-first desktop apps for files, prompts, knowledge work, privacy, and browser workflows | ProFiler, NoteSpaceLLM, KnowledgeDigest, RSS-BOOK, SQLiteViewer |
| doc-bricks | Mail, document intake, PDF/OCR, literature management, and document libraries | UniversalDocsGrabber, UniversalMailCleaner, UniversalInvoiceMail, DokuReader, LitZentrum |
| dev-bricks | Developer tools, editors, API discovery, static analysis, and Codex maintenance | DevCenter, CodeBox, pythonbox, MethodenAnalyser, apiprober |
| ellmos-ai | LLM operating systems, MCP servers, local agent memory, and workflow automation | bach, FileCommander MCP, CodeCommander MCP, n8n Manager MCP, clutch |
| biotec-line | Research-use bioinformatics and genetic variant tools | VFDistiller, genotype-to-vcf |
| assistassets-ai | Local-first financial analysis and no-advice assistant workflows | FinancialProof |
| entertain-and-more | Local games and creative tools with optional AI assistance | ChatAndChess, rpx |
| research-line | Open research repositories, reproducible scripts, and Zenodo-linked publication context | functional-stability-theory, crm-cosmology, rh-even-dominance |
| um-bruch | Public-interest prototypes, health-policy analysis, and civic-tech research | regressangst, verordnungsampel, locuterra |
Use these phrases when looking for the ecosystem in GitHub or web search:
open-bricks local-first desktop softwarefile-bricks PySide6 desktop toolsdoc-bricks document toolsdev-bricks developer toolsellmos-ai MCP serverslocal-first AI desktop apps
Each tool has its own repository, README, tests, and contribution path. Open issues and pull requests in the specific project repository. Organization-level community files are provided through this .github repository.
open-bricks - open-source software for local work in the age of AI.
Built alongside ellmos-ai.