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AI/TLDR

Chatbox

A desktop and web chat client for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Ollama and other LLMs

github.com/chatboxai/chatbox★ 40.6kchatboxai.app

Overview

Chatbox is a cross-platform chat client for large language models. Instead of opening a separate web app for each provider, you connect your own API keys (or a local Ollama instance) and talk to OpenAI, Claude, Google Gemini, Azure OpenAI and others from one window. It runs as a native desktop app on Windows, macOS and Linux, with a web version and mobile apps as well.

It is aimed at people who already have model API access and want a single, self-hosted-feeling front end rather than juggling multiple browser tabs and subscriptions. Your conversation history is stored locally on your device, so chats stay private and don't get lost.

As a chat UI, Chatbox focuses on the front-end experience: streaming replies, Markdown, LaTeX and code highlighting, a prompt library, dark theme and keyboard shortcuts. The Community Edition is open-sourced under GPLv3 and built with Electron and React.

What it does

  • Connect to many providers: OpenAI (ChatGPT), Azure OpenAI, Claude, Google Gemini, Ollama for local models, and ChatGLM-6B
  • Local data storage keeps your chat history on your own device
  • Streaming replies with Markdown, LaTeX and syntax-highlighted code blocks
  • Image generation through DALL-E-3
  • Prompt library and message quoting to save and reuse context
  • Available on Windows, macOS and Linux desktop, plus web and native iOS/Android apps

Getting started

Most users just install the prebuilt app and add an API key. Developers can also clone the repo and run it from source.

Install the app

Download the installer for your platform from the GitHub releases page (Setup.exe for Windows, the macOS Intel/Apple Silicon builds, or the Linux AppImage), then install and launch it.

Configure a provider

Open Settings, pick a provider such as OpenAI or Claude, and paste in your API key. For local models, point Chatbox at a running Ollama instance. Then start chatting.

Run from source (optional)

Chatbox is built with Electron and React. With Node.js 20-22 and pnpm 10+, clone the repo and install dependencies.

bashbash
git clone https://github.com/chatboxai/chatbox.git
cd chatbox
pnpm install

Start the dev server

Launch the app in development mode with hot-reload.

bashbash
pnpm run dev

Commands and code are distilled from the project's own documentation — always check the official repo for the latest.

When to use it

  • Use one app to switch between ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini with your own API keys instead of separate browser tabs
  • Chat with local models through Ollama for offline or private workflows
  • Keep a searchable, locally stored history of your AI conversations
  • Build and reuse a prompt library for repeated coding, writing or research tasks

How Chatbox compares

Chatbox alongside other open-source chat uis tools AI/TLDR tracks, ranked by GitHub stars.

ToolStarsWhat it does
Open WebUI★ 142kA self-hosted web interface for chatting with local and API-based LLMs (Ollama, OpenAI-compatible) that adds RAG, web search, image generation, and multi-user access.
Lobe Chat★ 78.9kAn open-source chat UI with a plugin and agent marketplace, multi-model support, voice, vision, and one-click self-hosting.
AnythingLLM★ 61.8kA desktop and self-hosted chat app focused on document Q&A and agents, letting you build private RAG workspaces over your own files and data sources.
Cherry Studio★ 47.5kA cross-platform desktop chat client that connects to many cloud and local model providers and ships with hundreds of preset assistants and MCP support.
Chatbox★ 40.6kA desktop and web chat client for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Ollama and other LLMs
LibreChat★ 39.5kA self-hostable ChatGPT-style chat app that unifies many AI providers and adds agents, MCP support, artifacts, a code interpreter, and multi-user authentication.
Onyx★ 30.4kOnyx is a self-hostable AI chat platform that adds RAG, web search, custom agents, code execution, and deep research on top of any major LLM provider.
Vercel AI Chatbot★ 20.5kAn open-source Next.js starter template for building a full-featured AI chatbot with the Vercel AI SDK, auth, and multi-model routing.