Block open-sources AI agent desktop application Berd
Technology company Block has open-sourced Berd, a desktop application designed to unify work with AI agents across different models and store conversation history locally.
Block, the technology company founded by Jack Dorsey, has released Berd, its desktop application for working with AI agents, under an open-source license. Originally developed internally, Berd provides a single environment for employees to interact with AI agents across various models, tools, and projects.
The application is a locally installed graphical desktop client, available on GitHub under the permissive Apache 2.0 license. This allows for free use, modification, and redistribution, including for commercial purposes. Downloadable builds are provided for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Block positions Berd as a "daily AI work surface," emphasizing its ability to directly interface with local projects, files, and tools. A key design principle is the visibility of the operational state, allowing users to clearly identify which project, files, agent, or model is influencing a conversation, differentiating it from generic chatbot wrappers.
The development of Berd stemmed from the need to address fragmentation experienced by Block employees using multiple AI agents. The application offers a consistent desktop experience across different models and platforms, facilitating persistent project management and streamlining workflows for AI-assisted tasks.