Open-source 'Pad.ws' merges whiteboard with AI agent coding
Pad.ws is a new open-source tool that combines a visual whiteboard with a coding environment. AI agents can now read your hand-drawn diagrams to understand your intent and write or run code for you.
This tool brings together a collaborative canvas, a terminal, and a code editor into a single workspace. The latest update focuses on AI agents that can 'see' your flowcharts or architectural sketches to assist with system design and coding. Because it is open-source and self-hostable, you can run everything on your own hardware to keep your data private and eliminate monthly AI subscription fees. It also provides secure, isolated virtual environments where AI agents can safely test and execute code without affecting your main system.
Key points
- Work with a whiteboard, terminal, and code editor in one view.
- AI agents use your visual drawings to better understand and write code.
- Save money by hosting the tool on your own server for free.
- Built-in secure spaces allow AI to run code experiments safely.
Quick term guide
- open-source
- Software whose code is shared publicly so others can inspect, use, or change it.
- code editor
- A special program used for writing and editing software instructions.
- system design
- The plan for how different parts of a website or app work together to handle users and data.
- self-hostable
- Software you install and run on your own server instead of using someone else's cloud service
- self-host
- To run a website, app, or service on your own server instead of using a hosted provider.
- AI subscription
- A paid plan that gives access to an AI tool for a set time.
- subscription
- A pricing model where you pay a fixed amount of money every month for access.
- Virtual environment
- A safe, isolated digital space where code can be run without risking the main system.