nexu-io/open-design

Project overview

nexu-io/open-design is an open-source, Apache-2.0, local-first design studio for generating multi-format artifacts via coding agents. It runs on macOS and Windows without telemetry or cloud round-trips, supporting bring-your-own-key (BYOK) model routing for model-agnostic operation.

Project type

MCP · Workflow

Use cases

Documents & Office · Coding & Development

Deployment

Refer to project documentation

License

Apache-2.0

Best for

• Developers and creators seeking a local-only, telemetry-free design environment using their own coding agents and OpenAI-compatible API keys.
• Users who need to self-host or run an open-source alternative to closed-source design tools like Claude Design or Figma on their own infrastructure.

Key capabilities

• A native desktop app for macOS and Windows providing a local design studio with a sandboxed iframe preview, no telemetry, and no cloud round-trip.
• Ships a filesystem of skills and brand-grade DESIGN.md design systems that coding agents can read and remix to shape their generated artifacts.
• Generates single-page HTML prototypes, live dashboards, decks, images, and HyperFrames video (MP4) artifacts using a connected coding agent.
• Ships a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to expose skills and design systems to coding agents natively.
• A proxy that accepts OpenAI-compatible API keys to route requests to various model providers if no local CLI is installed.
• Allows users to browse, install, and distribute workflow plugins to extend generation capabilities.

Limitations and risks

• Hardware requirements, including GPU needs, are currently not documented.
• There is no managed service available; deployment requires self-hosting via desktop, Docker, or source.
• You must provide either a supported coding agent CLI or an OpenAI-compatible API key to generate artifacts.

Getting started

• Download the desktop app, install the application, and type a brief in the entry view to start generating artifacts immediately.

Evidence and sources

• GitHub project description: 🎨 The open-source Claude Design alternative. 🖥️ Local-first desktop app.
• README: 🎨 **The open-source Claude Design alternative.**  🖥️ **Local-first native desktop app for macOS and Windows.**  ⚡ **Composable skills, brand-grade `DESIGN.md` design sys…
• README: 🖼️ Generates **web · desktop · mobile prototypes**, **live dashboards / artifacts**, **decks**, **images**, **video**, plus **HyperFrames** motion graphics.
• README: Open Design (OD) is the open-source alternative. Same loop, same artifact-first mental model, none of the lock-in:
• README: 🔥 **Open Design 0.13.0 — _Stay in Flow_ is here.**

Reviewed at: 2026-07-17T04:55:08Z