Openyak
Open-source local-first AI agent for desktop work. No account, no telemetry: use local models with Ollama/Rapid-MLX or bring your own provider key.
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What is Openyak?
OpenYak is a local-first, open-source desktop AI agent for Windows, macOS, and Linux that transforms folders into finished work. Unlike web chatbot interfaces, OpenYak reads local workspaces, executes tools, shows real-time progress, and returns concrete artifacts like files, reports, tables, and documents directly inside the app. It is designed for users who need AI to work with actual files and local project context rather than isolated prompts.
The tool includes 20+ built-in tools for file edits, shell tasks, parsing, browsing, and memory management. It supports 100+ models through OpenRouter, local Ollama models, BYOK (bring your own key) from 20+ providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and DeepSeek, or your existing ChatGPT Plus/Pro/Team subscription. OpenYak features 46 pre-configured MCP connectors for project management, communication, data, design, CRM, and more, enabling one-click OAuth authentication for services like Jira, Slack, GitHub, Notion, Linear, HubSpot, and BigQuery.
Key use cases include office automation (renaming, organizing, cleaning files with auditable logs), data analysis (parsing XLSX, CSV, documents locally without uploading), team operations (merging notes from PDFs, DOCX, CSVs into structured briefs), content writing (drafting internal notices and communications), remote workflows (secure Cloudflare tunnels with QR code mobile access), IM & communication (bridging WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WeChat, and 10+ other messaging platforms), and knowledge management (workspace memory stored as Markdown per project directory).
OpenYak is ideal for local-first teams, privacy-conscious users, developers, finance operations, RevOps teams, and anyone who wants AI that lives on their machine instead of behind a hosted workspace account. It requires no account, has no telemetry, offers full data sovereignty, and is free to start with no vendor lock-in.
Openyak pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
OpenYak is completely free and open-source with no credit card required. The Free tier includes running local models free via Ollama, using free cloud models through your chosen provider, all 20+ built-in tools, plan/ask-first/auto-edit action modes, unlimited conversations, and local storage only. The BYOK tier includes everything in Free plus access to 20+ providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, xAI, Groq), OpenRouter with your own API key, and provider charges stay between you and the provider with nothing routing through OpenYak. The ChatGPT subscription tier lets you use your existing Plus/Pro/Team plan directly inside the desktop app with no OpenYak payment layer. OpenYak does not resell model access - prices for cloud models change as OpenRouter updates them.
Openyak pros
- Completely free open-source desktop AI agent
- No account required and no telemetry
- Local-first design keeps files on your machine
- 20+ built-in tools for file operations and automation
- 100+ model support via OpenRouter, Ollama, and BYOK
- 46 pre-configured MCP connectors with one-click OAuth
- Returns concrete artifacts like PDFs, tables, and reports
- Supports ChatGPT Plus/Pro/Team subscription directly
- Secure Cloudflare tunnel for remote mobile access via QR code
- Workspace memory stores project context as Markdown per folder
- Bridges 12+ messaging platforms including Slack, WhatsApp, Telegram
- Scheduled automations for daily briefings and weekly recaps
- Visible tool execution progress like a real desktop app
- Works offline with local Ollama models - no internet needed
- Full data sovereignty with nothing routing through OpenYak
Openyak cons
- Desktop-only - no web or mobile native app
- Requires manual installer download for Windows/macOS/Linux
- Cloud model costs billed directly by provider - not included
- Remote access requires setting up secure tunnel manually
- Limited to local file system - no cloud storage integration
- MCP connectors require OAuth authentication per service
- No built-in model hosting - must use Ollama or external providers
- Security vulnerability reported for unauthenticated CSRF chain
Frequently asked questions about Openyak
How do cloud models work?
OpenYak does not resell model access. Use your own API keys, your own OpenRouter key, your ChatGPT subscription, or local models through Ollama. Provider keys support OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, xAI, Groq, and 20+ more. OpenRouter adds no markup - you pay directly openrouter.ai/models.
What setup is required?
Download the desktop app for Windows, macOS, or Linux, choose a local model via Ollama or paste a provider key in Settings, and keep control on your machine. The app includes a bundled runtime so you can start from the first run with one installer.
What free models are available?
All free-tier models on OpenRouter including Llama, Gemma, Mistral community models, and more. You can also run any model for free locally via Ollama with no internet needed. Free cloud models are included through your chosen provider.
Can I switch between modes?
Yes. You can use free models, your own API keys from 20+ providers, your ChatGPT subscription, or local Ollama models - all interchangeably. Switch anytime in the settings panel without losing your conversation history.
Is my data private?
Yes. OpenYak is local-first. Your conversations and files are stored only on your machine. When using cloud models, only API calls to LLM providers leave your computer. When using local models via Ollama, nothing leaves your machine at all.
What messaging platforms are supported?
OpenYak connects WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, WeChat, Feishu, DingTalk, WeCom, QQ, Email, Matrix, MoChat, and WebSocket channels. Messages arrive from supported platforms and are processed by the same desktop agent engine through the built-in channel runtime.
How do MCP connectors work?
46 pre-configured MCP connectors span project management, communication, data, design, CRM, and more. Enable any connector with one click and authenticate via OAuth. Once connected, MCP tools appear as native agent tools - your AI can search Jira tickets, post to Slack, query BigQuery, and update Notion pages within the same conversation.
Can I access OpenYak from my phone?
Yes. OpenYak creates a Cloudflare tunnel instantly with no port forwarding or config files. Scan a generated QR code from your phone with token-based authentication to pick up where you left off - from any device, anywhere. Permission modes let you draft first then confirm send.
What artifacts does OpenYak return?
OpenYak returns files, reports, tables, documents, logs, and rollback notes as concrete outputs in the artifact rail next to the conversation. Examples include approval packet PDFs with vendor invoice summaries, duplicate invoice risk checks, payment schedules, and Finance approval notes.
What action modes are available?
OpenYak includes three action modes: Plan for outlining steps, Ask-first for conversational guidance before acting, and Auto-edit for direct file modifications. You can switch between modes depending on how much control you want over the agent's actions.