Summary

Halo is an open-source desktop client that democratizes access to Claude Code's powerful AI agent capabilities by providing a visual, user-friendly interface. It overcomes the barrier of Claude Code's terminal-only nature, making advanced AI coding assistance accessible to designers, PMs, students, and developers. Key benefits include remote access, file management, and an integrated AI browser, enabling users to leverage AI without CLI expertise.

How It Works

Built with Electron, React, and TypeScript, Halo wraps the Claude Code SDK, enabling a "Real Agent Loop" for tasks like code generation and file manipulation within isolated "Spaces." Its architecture prioritizes 100% local execution for data privacy, requiring no backend infrastructure. The "Artifact Rail" offers real-time previews of AI-generated files, enhancing workflow.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Download pre-built binaries (.dmg, .exe, .AppImage). No Node.js/npm required for end-users.
• Prerequisites: macOS 11+, Windows 10+, Ubuntu 20.04+. Requires an API key (Anthropic recommended).
• Links: Download links available on GitHub releases.

Highlighted Details

• Full Claude Code agent capabilities via a visual interface.
• One-click install and remote access from any browser/mobile device.
• Built-in AI Browser for automated web scraping and form filling.
• Isolated "Spaces" and real-time file previews ("Artifact Rail").
• Multi-provider support (Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, OpenAI-compatible).
• Visualizes AI's thinking process and offers tool permission controls.

Maintenance & Community

Actively maintained with a roadmap including plugin systems and voice input. Community engagement via GitHub Discussions and Issues. Contributions are welcomed.

Licensing & Compatibility

MIT License, permitting commercial use and integration with closed-source projects.

Limitations & Caveats

macOS (Intel) builds are "Coming soon." Core functionality depends on user-provided API keys.