Local Code Is the Mac AI Agent That Finally Made Me Stop Using the Terminal
I've been looking for a local AI agent that doesn't require a terminal, a config file, or a weekend of setup. Local Code is the closest I've found. It's a free, open-source AI agent for Mac by the Draw Things team, and it went fully open source on October 28, 2026 after a public beta that started September 12. No account, no API key, no separate inference server. Download a model from the…
Local Code is a free, open-source AI agent for Mac users. It does not require a terminal, config file, or weekend of setup. The app was released as a public beta on September 12, 2026, and fully open-source on October 28, 2026. Local Code runs Qwen or DeepSeek models on your Mac, eliminating the need for cloud processing or API keys.
The app can process prompts and files locally, without internet access. It integrates with various Apple apps, including Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, and Photos. Local Code offers a built-in set of tools, including Python, Node.js, a shell, Git, document tools, a browser, and the ability to create images, videos, presentations, and edit spreadsheets.
The agent runs within Apple's App Sandbox and Hardened Runtime, ensuring that it can only access folders you share and cannot launch other apps. Local Code's privacy features make it a strong option for users working with sensitive information. However, the hardware requirements are steep, and the Mac-only limitation is significant.
For Mac users seeking a seamless, privacy-focused local AI experience without terminal setup, Local Code is the recommended solution.
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