OctoPunk
a full-featured, AI-integrated GitHub client
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What is OctoPunk?
OctoPunk is a full-featured, AI-integrated GitHub client for the desktop that replaces the browser-based GitHub experience. It is built for power users and developers who spend serious time on GitHub and want a keyboard-driven alternative to GitHub Desktop. The tool provides the complete GitHub platform on the desktop including notifications, pull requests, issues, projects, discussions, releases, Actions/CI workflows, and code review with real Language Server Protocol (LSP) integration.
Key features include a customizable dashboard with search-query widgets, an omnibar for cross-repo GitHub search, a context-aware command palette, and advanced notification filtering using GitHub's issue search query language. The code intelligence feature wires a local LSP into the file viewer for hover type info, jump-to-definitions, and symbol search during code review. OctoPunk also includes an AI assistant that accepts precise context via Alt+click for tasks like summarizing PRs, drafting replies, and summarizing conversations.
OctoPunk is specifically for developers who treat git and GitHub as separate things—using git tools like lazygit, Tower, or Fork for version control shaping, and OctoPunk for platform collaboration work like reviewing PRs, triaging notifications, navigating issues, and watching CI. It is not a git GUI but a real GitHub platform client.
The application is free for public repos, with private repos requiring a Pro subscription. Beta builds are available for Mac, Linux (Flatpak), and Windows.
OctoPunk pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Free for public repositories. Private repositories require a Pro subscription which you can set up from your account dashboard. Beta builds are available for Mac, Linux (Flatpak), and Windows. AI is included without extra charging, but users must bring their own API key from Anthropic, Gemini, or OpenAI.
OctoPunk pros
- Keyboard-first navigation throughout the entire application
- Advanced notification filtering using GitHub issue search query language
- Customizable dashboard with search-query widgets you drag and arrange
- Omnibar for cross-repo GitHub search with recently visited items
- Context-aware command palette that changes based on PR, issue, or user page
- Local LSP integration in file viewer for hover type info and jump-to-definitions
- Per-repo settings panel for LSP configuration like compile_commands.json for clangd
- AI assistant with precise context selection via Alt+click on comments, PRs, files, or users
- AI tools for code review, comment drafting, and fetching code it doesn't have
- Bring your own API key supporting Anthropic, Gemini, or OpenAI
- End-to-end pull request handling without browser tab switching
- Full support for issues, projects, discussions, releases, and Actions/CI workflows
- Outlines for navigating big PRs and issues efficiently
- Context stays with you when jumping between comments, files, and code
- No dark patterns, no data selling, no engagement metrics dressed as features
- Beta builds available for Mac, Linux (Flatpak), and Windows
- Free tier for public repositories
- Single GitHub sign-in with minimal data collection
- AI included without extra charging or AI-first rebranding
- Fuzzy searchable omnibar and command palette for fast navigation
OctoPunk cons
- Beta builds break things as part of the development deal
- App data directory may reset between releases clearing settings and sign-in
- Not a git GUI—requires separate git tool like lazygit, Tower, or Fork
- Private repos require a Pro subscription (not free)
- You must bring your own AI API key (not provided by OctoPunk)
- File issues must be submitted to community repo rather than built-in support
- Beta requires downloading and installing separate beta channel builds
- Small team meaning potentially slower feature development or bug fixes
- No agents looping in background limits some automation capabilities
Frequently asked questions about OctoPunk
What is OctoPunk?
OctoPunk is a full-featured, AI-integrated GitHub client for the desktop. It is not a git GUI but a real client for the GitHub platform that provides the entire GitHub experience—notifications, pull requests, issues, projects, discussions, releases, Actions/CI workflows, and code review with real LSPs—on the desktop with keyboard-first navigation.
How do notification filters work in OctoPunk?
OctoPunk lets you build notification filters by query using the same query language you already know from issue search. Each filter gets a name, a color, and a subscribe button. Matched notifications land in your dashboard inbox with a colored pill so you can tell at a glance what kind of thing each one is.
What is the dashboard in OctoPunk?
The dashboard is a customizable heads-up display you build yourself, not an algorithmic feed. Widgets are search queries, your activity feed, the GitHub activity graph, and similar items. You can drag them around, name them, and build a layout that matches the streams of work you actually care about while ignoring the rest.
How does code intelligence work in OctoPunk?
OctoPunk wires a local LSP into the file viewer for code review. You can hover for type info, jump to definitions, and search symbols—all working on the code you are reviewing in the same window. There is a per-repo settings panel for things like compile_commands.json for clangd so LSPs that need setup get it without writing wrapper scripts.
How do I use the AI assistant in OctoPunk?
Hold Alt and click something on the page to give the assistant precise context—a comment, PR, file, or user. From there you can ask specific questions like 'What is this PR actually changing?' 'Draft a reply to this thread,' or 'Summarize this conversation for me.' Without selection it gets the whole page as context. You bring your own API key from Anthropic, Gemini, or OpenAI.
Is OctoPunk a git GUI?
No, OctoPunk is not a git GUI. There are great git GUIs already like lazygit, Tower, and Fork that are purpose-built for git and do interactive rebase, conflict editing, blame surfing, and hunk-by-hunk staging better than any GitHub client. OctoPunk is geared for developers who treat git and GitHub as separate things—use your git tool for shaping commits and branches, use OctoPunk for platform collaboration.
How do I get the beta?
On the home page, scroll to the download buttons and click the 'Looking for the beta?' link underneath them. This puts you on the beta channel and shows the latest beta builds for Mac, Linux (Flatpak), and Windows. All three platforms are available.
What platforms does OctoPunk support?
OctoPunk beta builds are available for Mac, Linux (as Flatpak), and Windows. All three platforms are supported.
How do I report bugs or suggest features?
From inside the app, open the command palette and run '⌘+P Report a bug' to file a bug or '⌘+P Suggest a feature' to pitch one you want built. Both land in the community repo and both get read by the team.
What data does OctoPunk collect?
OctoPunk collects what it needs to keep the lights on and nothing else. You sign in once with GitHub. The company explicitly states there are no dark patterns, no nagging, no data selling, and no requests for information it doesn't need. There are also no engagement metrics dressed up as features or growth tactics.