Draw Things Team Launches Local Code, a Local AI Assistant for Mac
Draw Things developers have launched Local Code, an open-source AI assistant. Mac users can download models and process prompts and files locally, without uploading to the cloud. The app supports generating presentations, images, and videos, analyzing spreadsheets, handling Word and PowerPoint files, and includes a built-in browser that can browse the web on the user's behalf; with user authorization, it can read information from Mail, Messages, and Notes and modify Calendar and Photos. The app offers Qwen and DeepSeek models; Qwen 3.8 27B requires at least 16GB of memory and a download of about 10GB to 21GB, while the larger DeepSeek models require downloads of about 89GB or 376GB; local use is free, and cloud models can also be used via your own API key or prepaid credits starting at $9.99. The app previously entered public beta on September 12 and is now available as a direct Mac download; the developers say a Mac App Store version is coming soon.
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The original article lists local model specifications, storage footprint, and accessible system apps, so readers can judge the actual barriers to entry for a local Mac assistant.
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The developers of Draw Things have launched Local Code, an open-source AI assistant that lets Mac users download models and put them to work on their own computers.
Local Code lets users download an AI model and start working without separately installing the tools it needs. When using a local model, the app processes prompts and files on the Mac rather than sending them to a cloud AI provider.
Local Code can create presentations, generate images and videos, analyze spreadsheets, work with Word and PowerPoint files, and more. It also includes a browser that the assistant can use to navigate websites and complete online tasks.
With the user's permission, the app can read information from Mail, Messages, and Notes, as well as make changes in Calendar and Photos. According to its documentation, Apple's App Sandbox restricts its access to files and other parts of the system.
The app offers Qwen and DeepSeek models for Macs with different amounts of memory. Its website lists 16GB as the minimum for Qwen 3.8 27B, with recommended downloads taking around 10GB to 21GB of storage. The larger DeepSeek models require downloads of around 89GB or 376GB, depending on the version.
Users can also choose a cloud model, although doing so sends prompts and relevant files to the selected provider. Local use is free, while optional cloud access is available through users' own API keys or prepaid credits starting at $9.99.
Local Code follows a public beta that began on September 12. A direct Mac download is available now, and the developers say a Mac App Store release is coming soon.