Paperclip Desktop
A one-click desktop app for Paperclip.

Quickstart · Paperclip (upstream) · Docs · Discord

What is this?

Paperclip Desktop is an unofficial Electron wrapper around Paperclip. It bundles Paperclip (via the official @paperclipai/server npm package) inside a native desktop app for macOS. Windows and Linux builds are coming soon.

The goal is simple: make running Paperclip as easy as opening an app.

• 🖱 One click to launch — double-click the app and Paperclip starts automatically. No terminal, no pnpm install, no Node.js setup.
• 📦 Paperclip inside — ships an unmodified build of the upstream Paperclip server and UI. What you get in the app is exactly what you'd get by cloning and running the main repo.
• 🔄 Auto-updates — pulls new desktop releases automatically via GitHub Releases.
• 🖥 Native menus, windowing, and system tray — the Paperclip UI, but as a real desktop app.

Under the hood, on launch the app:

1. Picks a free local port (starting at 3100)
2. Spawns the bundled Paperclip Node.js server
3. Waits for it to become healthy
4. Loads the Paperclip UI in a native Electron window

When you quit the app, the server is cleanly shut down.

For everything Paperclip itself can do — orchestrating AI agents, running autonomous companies, governance, budgets, org charts, etc. — see the upstream Paperclip repo. This project does not modify or extend Paperclip's functionality; it only packages it.

Relationship to upstream Paperclip

This repo (paperclip-desktop)	Upstream (paperclipai/paperclip)
Electron shell + installers	The actual Paperclip server, UI, and features
Maintained by Aron Prins (community)	Maintained by the Paperclip team
Bundles @paperclipai/server as a dependency	Source of that package
MIT licensed	MIT licensed

This is an independent community distribution. It is not an official Paperclip release. All credit for Paperclip itself goes to the upstream project and its authors.

Quickstart

Install the desktop app

Download the latest installer for your platform from the Releases page:

• macOS — .dmg (Apple Silicon and Intel)
• Windows — coming soon
• Linux — coming soon

Open the app. Paperclip starts automatically and the dashboard opens in the app window. That's it.

Prefer the original?

If you'd rather run Paperclip yourself from source (no desktop wrapper), follow the upstream instructions:

npx paperclipai onboard --yes

Or:

git clone https://github.com/paperclipai/paperclip.git
cd paperclip
pnpm install
pnpm dev

See github.com/paperclipai/paperclip for full docs.

Development

Requirements: Node.js 20+, pnpm 9.15+.

pnpm install           # Install deps
pnpm dev               # Run Electron in dev mode against the bundled server
pnpm build             # Compile the Electron main/preload TypeScript
pnpm prepare-server    # Stage the Paperclip server bundle into build/
pnpm build-ui          # Stage the Paperclip UI
pnpm pack              # Build an unpacked app directory (no installer)
pnpm dist              # Build full installers for the current platform
pnpm dist:mac          # macOS (.dmg + .zip, signed/notarized via local script)

Key files:

• src/main.ts — Electron main process: spawns the Paperclip server, manages its lifecycle, and opens the window
• src/preload.ts — Preload script for the renderer
• src/updater.ts — Auto-update wiring (electron-updater against GitHub Releases)
• electron-builder.yml — Packaging config; bundles the @paperclipai/server npm package plus a platform-specific Node.js binary into Resources/app-server/
• scripts/ — Build and release automation (server staging, macOS notarization, etc.)

License

MIT © 2026 Aron Prins.

This project wraps a bundled copy of Paperclip, which is also MIT licensed © Paperclip. See LICENSE for the full text. The upstream Paperclip license ships inside the packaged app alongside its source.

Disclaimer — use at your own risk

Paperclip Desktop is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement. In no event shall the authors or copyright holders be liable for any claim, damages, or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort, or otherwise, arising from, out of, or in connection with the software or the use or other dealings in the software.

By using this app you acknowledge that:

• It runs AI agents that can execute code, make API calls, and spend money on AI model providers on your behalf. You are solely responsible for any costs incurred.
• It is an unofficial community distribution. It is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or supported by the upstream Paperclip team.
• It wraps third-party software (Paperclip and its dependencies). The authors of this wrapper accept no liability for the behavior of the bundled Paperclip server, any agents you configure, or any outcomes produced by them.
• You are responsible for reviewing agent actions, setting budgets, and operating the software in accordance with the terms of any AI providers and services you connect to it.

If you do not accept these terms, do not install or use the app.

Credits

• Paperclip — the actual product: github.com/paperclipai/paperclip
• Paperclip Desktop — this Electron wrapper, maintained by Aron Prins