$ cat ~/map/pi-desktop.md
Pi Desktop
Open-source macOS client driving a local pi over JSONL RPC — projects, streaming conversations, commands, extensions.
tools✓ Oct 15
Facts
- repository
- github.com/ZhaoJiSen/pi-desktop ↗
- GitHub Stars
- ★ 2
- Forks
- 0
- license
- —
- npm / mo
- —
- last push
- Oct 15, 2026
install
Build from source: Node.js 22 or later, pnpm at the version declared in package.json, and the Rust platform tools Tauri 2 requires; then pnpm install and pnpm desktop. A browser preview runs with pnpm dev. A local pi installation with a configured model provider is needed for live agent work.## TL;DR
Open-source macOS desktop client for the Pi coding agent: it drives a local pi executable over JSONL RPC, reuses that installation's models and sign-in, and gives each project its own pi process with streaming conversations, command browsing, and extension management.
## Key points
- $The app connects to a local pi executable over JSONL RPC and uses the models and sign-in already configured for that installation; detection checks PATH and common install locations including Volta and Homebrew, or you can enter an absolute executable path.
- $Each project runs its own pi process; conversations in a project switch through new_session and switch_session, coming back reuses the process and restores its session, and quitting the app stops those child processes.
- $Conversations stream Markdown with highlighted code, expandable tool output, edit diffs, file attachments, and stop or retry controls; projects let you open folders, create and switch conversations, search titles and message text, pin or rename, and export Markdown.
- $The Commands view browses pi built-ins, extension commands, skills, and prompt templates — search descriptions and sources, inspect usage, and insert a supported command into the draft; /compact compacts the current conversation from the command detail.
- $Extensions are manageable from the app: browse installed packages, discover npm packages sorted by popularity or publication date, compare installed and latest versions, install or remove, enable or disable, and update one package or all.
- $Also included: model search by name, provider, or ID with recent models and thinking effort; a usage view with context, token totals, and estimated cost; a first-launch guide with Pi environment check; and light, dark, and system themes in English and Simplified Chinese.
## FAQ
Q Does Pi Desktop need its own pi configuration?
No — it connects to a local pi executable and reuses the models and sign-in already configured for that installation. Model lists and thinking levels come from the local pi configuration; if pi is not found automatically, set the executable's absolute path in the first-launch guide or in Settings.
Q How is it installed?
It is built from source: Node.js 22 or later, pnpm at the declared version, and the Rust platform tools required by Tauri 2, then pnpm install and pnpm desktop. A browser preview is available with pnpm dev for trying the interface without the native build.
## References
## Related entries
$ Eido
Native macOS AI workspace bundling the official pi agent — plan, edit, and review changes, with browser and computer use.
$ Pie
Native SwiftUI macOS client for pi --mode rpc: Pi-owned sessions, chat-side diffs, and Pi's own commands and skills.
$ Pier
macOS desktop client for pi: streams sessions over pi --mode rpc with diffs, follow-ups, and extension dialogs.
Last updated: Oct 15, 2026