Runner
Show HN: The AI App That Does the Work
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What is Runner?
Runner is a desktop AI workflow assistant that connects to 50+ apps you already use—Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Drive, GitHub, Notion, and your local files—to actually do the work instead of just suggesting answers. It pulls information across your tools, drafts replies, preps meetings, files follow-ups, and pulls data so your day ends with things finished, not just suggested.
Key features include concurrent runners that run multiple tasks in parallel (drafting follow-ups while pulling analytics while updating CRM), browser automation for web apps with no API, memory across sessions that remembers your preferences and contacts, recurring workflows that run on schedule like morning briefings, and Heartbeat which watches your apps in the background to nudge you when something needs attention. The desktop app works across Mac, Windows, and Linux with the same workflow surface, reads local files alongside connected cloud apps, and prepares drafts where you stay in control of final actions.
Runner is designed for founders, CEOs, executives, product leaders, sales teams, real estate agents, and anyone doing real desktop workflows where local files, browser tabs, and connected apps all contribute to the same job. It's especially valuable for board prep, investor updates, lead qualification, meeting follow-ups, email assistant tasks, and operations reviews.
Runner pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Runner has a 7-day free trial. Standard plan is $50/month with everyday productivity boost, unlimited connectors, multiple workspaces, and custom workflows & automations. Pro plan is $100/month with 5x more usage than Standard, unlimited connectors, multiple workspaces, custom workflows & automations, browser automation, and team memory. Ultra plan is $200/month with 14x more usage than Standard, all Pro features plus best for daily use. Teams & Enterprise offers dedicated AI workspace with custom onboarding and workshop.
Runner pros
- Connects to 50+ apps including Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Drive, GitHub, Notion
- Actually does the work instead of just suggesting answers
- Concurrent runners execute multiple tasks in parallel
- Browser automation handles web apps without APIs
- Memory across sessions remembers preferences, contacts, and unfinished work
- Recurring workflows run on schedule like morning briefings at 7:30am
- Heartbeat watches apps in background and nudges when attention needed
- Works across Mac, Windows, and Linux with same workflow surface
- Reads local files alongside connected cloud apps
- You stay in control—Runner asks permission before taking actions
- 7-day free trial to test before committing
- Unlimited connectors on all paid plans
- Multiple workspaces to keep work, personal, and side projects separate
- Custom workflows and automations you can build
- SOC 2 Type 1 compliant and CASA Tier 2 certified for security
Runner cons
- Desktop app only—no mobile version available
- Requires app installation and setup time
- Must authorize local file access for desktop functionality
- Browser automation opens separate Chrome window
- Safety safeguards can slow things down until turned off
- Paid plans start at $50/month after free trial
- Team Memory and Browser Automation only on Pro/Ultra plans
- Enterprise deployment requires dedicated onboarding
Frequently asked questions about Runner
What is Runner?
Runner is a desktop AI assistant that connects to the apps you already use and actually does the work. It connects to Gmail, Calendar, Slack, Drive, GitHub, Notion, and your local files. It drafts the reply, preps the meeting, files the follow-up, pulls the data. Your day ends with things finished, not suggested.
How does Runner differ from ChatGPT, Copilot, or Claude?
Most AI apps give you generic advice or ask you to take actions yourself. Runner lives in your tools and takes real action. ChatGPT would tell you how to track open loops, but Runner checks your inboxes, calendars, chats, and files to find them. Copilot would just find places, but Runner fires up a browser, finds availability, and puts them into a Google Sheet. Claude would ask when to book, but Runner assumes the contact, checks calendars, books it, and attaches ads performance data.
What apps does Runner connect to?
Runner connects to 50+ apps including HubSpot, Gmail, Slack, Linear, Google Calendar, GitHub, Granola, Notion, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Airtable, Asana, Dropbox, Intercom, Trello, Mixpanel, Sentry, Shopify, Zendesk, Calendly, PostHog, Supabase, and QuickBooks.
Does Runner work on Mac, Windows, and Linux?
Yes, Runner has builds for Mac, Windows, and Linux. All three platforms use the same Runner workflow surface, so you can pilot on one machine and expand later. The download takes about two minutes.
What are concurrent runners?
Concurrent runners let you run multiple tasks in parallel. You can draft follow-ups while pulling analytics while updating your CRM. Everything gets receipts and timestamps. This is different from AI tools that do one thing at a time.
How does browser automation work?
When there's no API for an app, Runner opens a built-in Chrome browser and does it for you. It fills forms, books appointments, and navigates web apps the same way you would. The browser opens separately so it won't interrupt your work, and Runner browses and unblocks itself in the background while you keep going.
What is memory across sessions?
Runner remembers what matters across sessions: your contacts, your preferences, your unfinished work. Tell Runner your preferences once—how you like emails drafted, what your priorities are, who your VIPs are—and it remembers and applies them every time. This context compounds over time.
Is my data safe with Runner?
Yes, Runner doesn't use more data than it needs to get the job done. It is audited to CASA standards and SOC 2 Type 1 compliant. It has CASA Tier 2 certification, with GDPR and SOC 2 Type 2 in progress. Your data stays yours.
What workflows can I automate with Runner?
Runner has a growing workflow library including AI Board Prep for Founders, Founder Intro Double Opt-In, Draft a Memo from Slack Notes and Docs, Gmail + Calendar + Drive Follow-Through, Qualify Inbound Leads from Gmail and HubSpot, Meeting Follow-Up from Notes to Next Steps, Morning Founder Briefing, AI Email Assistant, Personal Follow-Through, E-Commerce Morning Operations, SEO + Content Performance Review, Product Analytics + Experiment Review, Founder Financial Health Check, Cross-Platform Project Status, Enterprise Document + Contract Workflow, Survey + Feedback Analysis, Business Intelligence for Board Prep, Outlook Inbox + Calendar Management, Plex Media Server Setup + Management, Engineering Sprint + Deploy Review, Application Monitoring + Incident Response, AI Homework Helper, Qualify Inbound Leads, Stakeholder Research After Sales Call, Customize Demo Deck for Prospect Meetings, Meeting Follow-Up Notes to Next Steps, Meeting Notes to Action Items, CRM Pipeline + Relationship Review, Scheduling + Availability Optimization, and Customer Escalation Response.
What is Runner for Business?
Runner for Business is for controlled team rollouts instead of single-user install. It offers private deployment, custom connectors, and rollout planning. Teams & Enterprise gets a dedicated AI workspace with custom onboarding and workshop to add AI to your team's daily workflow. 95% of teams on Runner use AI daily in their workflow within 3 months.