# pinokio

> A desktop launcher that installs and runs open-source AI projects with one click

- Repository: https://github.com/pinokiocomputer/pinokio
- Category: Models & local AI
- Stars: 8,292 · Forks: 843 · Language: JavaScript · License: MIT
- Experience: Beginner friendly
- Page: https://ir.adyog.com/repos/pinokiocomputer/pinokio/

Trying an open-source project usually means cloning a repo, setting up Python or Node, installing dependencies and running commands in the right order. Pinokio wraps that into scripts you run from a graphical app, so you click instead of typing.

A Pinokio script is written in JSON and can run any command, download files and execute them. Think of it as a terminal with a UI. You can write your own scripts or install them from a Discover page of reviewed scripts.

Isolation is the main design idea. Apps live under ~/pinokio/api, and binaries from the built-in package managers (Conda, Homebrew, Pip, NPM) go under ~/pinokio/bin. A venv attribute keeps Python dependencies inside each app's folder. Scripts can still run anything, so read them before you run them.

## What it does

- **One-click launcher**: Installs and runs open-source projects from scripts through a graphical interface instead of a raw terminal.
- **Isolated by default**: Apps, binaries and dependencies are kept under ~/pinokio. The path and venv attributes keep commands and Python packages inside each app's folder.
- **Readable JSON scripts**: Scripts are JSON, so people and tools can check them. They must come from public git repositories, and the install screen shows the source URL.
- **Reviewed Discover page**: Featured scripts come from verified publishers, live in the Pinokio Factory GitHub organization, and are reviewed and tested by the admin before listing.
- **Built-in package managers**: Conda, Homebrew, Pip and NPM install into the Pinokio home folder by default.

## What you could build

- Install and run a local open-source AI app without configuring Python environments yourself.
- Write a JSON script that sets up and launches your own project for others to run.
- Browse the Discover page to find reviewed scripts for open-source tools.
- Keep experimental projects and their dependencies contained in one folder, away from your system setup.
- Review a script's commands and source repository before deciding to run it.

## Who it's for

Suits people who want to try open-source projects, especially AI tools, without manual setup; it helps to know that scripts can run any command, so check what you install.

## Get started

The README gives no install commands. Get the app from the project homepage at pinokio.co, then pick a script from the Discover page and run it, checking the source URL on the install screen.



Tags: launcher, local-ai, scripts, package-manager, desktop-app