AI Developer Tools

Silo

Open-source desktop app to manage multiple project workspaces simultaneously, keeping terminals and AI coding agents running across projects with instant switching.

What is Silo?

Silo is a free, open-source desktop workspace manager for developers who need to juggle multiple projects and AI coding agents. It allows you to keep every workspace alive simultaneously, with persistent terminals, agents, and layout, and switch between them instantly with a keystroke.

Silo vs Similar AI Tools

Pricing ModelFreeFreeFreeFree
Free Credits
Key Features
  • Instant workspace switching with zero reload
  • Persistent terminal state across switches
  • Local-first, no cloud sync or telemetry
  • Seven breakable boxes covering OWASP Agentic Top-10 vulnerabilities
  • Three guided simulations for cascading failures, human-agent trust, and rogue agents
  • Network-isolated Docker containers for safe execution
  • Code-to-runtime reasoning across cloud, Git, and Kubernetes
  • Action-gate enforces read-only policy on every API call
  • Sandboxed JavaScript execution for concurrent research
  • Append-only, SHA-256-addressed event history through Jaybase
  • AES-256-GCM encryption for stored node payloads
  • Unified RBAC for ledger, notes, snapshots, and audit reads
Pros
  • Instant workspace switching with state persistence
  • 100% open source and free
  • Covers full OWASP Agentic Top-10 in a realistic manner
  • Docker isolation prevents accidental damage
  • Read-only by construction prevents accidental writes
  • Evidence-backed verification cross-checks every finding
  • Opinionated and secure accounting CLI with immutable audit trail
  • Designed for AI agent integration with JSON output
Cons
  • Early-stage project with limited maturity
  • Windows support is experimental
  • Requires Docker and technical setup
  • Not for production use; only for lab environments
  • Requires an LLM API key, incurring token costs
  • Limited to read-only operations, cannot remediate
  • Pre-1.0, limited feature set
  • No native QuickBooks import (agents must normalize data)
Best For
  • Developers who run multiple AI coding agents simultaneously
  • Terminal-heavy workflows
  • Security researchers focusing on AI agent vulnerabilities
  • Developers building MCP-based applications
  • Security engineers
  • DevOps teams
  • Small teams needing secure, auditable accounting with AI agent support
  • Developers integrating automated bookkeeping workflows

How to use Silo?

  1. 1Download and install the app for your platform (macOS, Linux, or Windows experimental).
  2. 2Launch Silo and open a new workspace tab for each project you want to manage.
  3. 3Use the built-in terminal and file editor to run commands and AI agents.
  4. 4Switch between workspace tabs instantly—all terminals and agents continue running.
  5. 5Install extensions from the SDK or create your own using the Claude Code skill.

Silo Key Features

  • Instant workspace switching with zero reload
  • Persistent terminal state across switches
  • Local-first, no cloud sync or telemetry
  • MIT licensed, free forever
  • Extension SDK and public API
  • Supports macOS, Linux, and Windows (experimental)
  • Built-in Claude Code skill for extension building

Silo Use Cases

  • Running multiple Claude Code or Aider agents across different projects simultaneously
  • Keeping terminals alive while switching between projects
  • Managing monorepos and multi-folder workspaces
  • Building custom extensions without leaving the terminal

Silo Pricing & Free Credits

Silo currently operates on a Free model.

This tool is completely free to use

Open Source

Free

MIT licensed, no subscription, no account required.

Silo Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Instant workspace switching with state persistence
  • 100% open source and free
  • Local-first privacy
  • Extensible via SDK and custom scripts

Cons

  • Early-stage project with limited maturity
  • Windows support is experimental
  • Smaller community and fewer extensions compared to VS Code

What is Silo best for?

  • Developers who run multiple AI coding agents simultaneously
  • Terminal-heavy workflows
  • Open-source enthusiasts looking for a customizable IDE alternative

Silo FAQ

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