Different AI · 2026-07-30 · major
OpenWork — open-source Claude Cowork alternative hits 18.5K stars
OpenWork is a MIT-licensed desktop app that lets teams share AI skills, MCP servers, and workflows across Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex. Different AI shipped OpenWork v0.18.12 on July 30 with new Knoppers channel-native chat and elevated Developer mode.
OpenWork ships an MIT-licensed desktop workspace that shares AI skills across Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex.
Key specs
| GitHub stars | 18,475 |
|---|---|
| Stars today | +916 |
| Latest release | v0.18.12 |
Quick facts
| Maker | Different AI (Openwork Labs) |
|---|---|
| License | MIT (Fair Source for /ee enterprise dir) |
| Latest release | v0.18.12, July 30 2026 |
| Runs on | macOS, Windows, Linux desktop app |
| Works with | Claude Code, Cursor, Codex via MCP |
| Model support | 50+ LLMs with bring-your-own API keys |
| Team pricing | First 5 seats free, then $10/seat/month |
What is it?
OpenWork is a free desktop app from Different AI (Openwork Labs) that packages skills, MCP servers, and AI workflows into shareable units. Teammates import a workspace with one link and get the same tools inside Claude Code, Cursor, or Codex — no terminal setup required.
How does it work?
An MCP server routes calls between the desktop client and the connected agents, and Openwork Den acts as the control plane for skill publishing and team permissions. Users bring their own API keys for 50+ LLMs, and the July 30 v0.18.12 release adds a Knoppers channel proposal stack for chat-native UI elements plus elevated Developer mode.
Why does it matter?
Claude Cowork made shared AI workspaces mainstream, but locked teams to one vendor and cloud. OpenWork pulls the same collaboration shape into an open desktop app that respects local files, works with any agent, and hit 18.5K GitHub stars — including +916 today — as teams look for a Cowork substitute they can self-host.
Who is it for?
Engineering teams and open-source shops that share AI workflows across multiple coding agents
Frequently asked questions
- How is OpenWork different from Claude Cowork?
- OpenWork ships as an MIT-licensed desktop app that runs entirely on the user's own machine, while Claude Cowork is Anthropic's hosted product tied to Claude. OpenWork lets teams bring 50+ LLM API keys and share skills across Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex through MCP, so no single vendor owns the workspace.
- Is OpenWork free?
- The OpenWork desktop app is free and open source under MIT, and stays free for personal use. The Team Starter plan gives the first 5 seats free, then charges $10 per seat per month for shared skills, an Extension Marketplace, and the OpenWork Den control plane; enterprise pricing includes SSO and on-prem inference.
- Which coding agents does OpenWork integrate with?
- OpenWork connects to Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex through a Model Context Protocol server, so a skill authored in OpenWork appears in each agent as a tool. The July 30 v0.18.12 release adds channel-native chat elements and elevated Developer mode for building richer OpenWork Apps on top of that MCP surface.
- Where does OpenWork run and store data?
- OpenWork runs as a local desktop app on macOS, Windows, and Linux, so files stay on the user's machine unless a team opts into OpenWork Cloud. Different AI also offers a self-hosted enterprise deployment with the /ee directory under a Fair Source License, kept separate from the MIT-licensed core.
Try it
Download at openworklabs.com/download