Epicenter is an ecosystem of open-source, local-first applications designed to give users full ownership of their data. It aims to replace siloed applications with interoperable alternatives, allowing users to choose their own models and store data in plain text and SQLite files. The primary audience is technically savvy users who value data ownership and open-source solutions.

How It Works

Epicenter operates on a "local-first" philosophy, meaning data is stored and processed on the user's machine. The ecosystem shares a common memory, allowing different applications within it to access and utilize the same data seamlessly. This approach avoids data silos and enables features like personalized results based on past interactions across different tools. The core advantage is user control over data and model choice, fostering interoperability and customization.

Quick Start & Requirements

To get started with Epicenter Whispering (the primary available tool):

1. Install Bun: https://bun.sh
2. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/epicenter-so/epicenter.git
3. Navigate to the directory: cd epicenter
4. Install dependencies: bun install
5. Navigate to the Whispering app: cd apps/whispering
6. Run the development server: bun dev

Prerequisites include Bun and Git. No specific hardware or OS requirements are mentioned beyond standard development environments.

Highlighted Details

• Offers desktop transcription with user-provided API keys, cutting out middlemen.
• Future plans include an "Epicenter Assistant" for local chat interactions, leveraging existing data.
• Aims for seamless integration between current and future tools, sharing API keys, models, and data.

Maintenance & Community

The project is actively maintained, with a Discord community for contributors and users. They are seeking contributors passionate about open-source, local-first software, and Svelte/TypeScript development.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project is licensed under the MIT license, permitting free use, modification, and distribution, including for commercial purposes.

Limitations & Caveats

The "Epicenter Assistant" is currently unstable and awaiting a pull request merge in an external repository (OpenCode). While the vision is clear, the ecosystem is still developing, with Whispering being the most mature application currently available.