Knot Code

Knot Code is a code editor built around the philosophy "AI coding, without the bloat," featuring a dual-target architecture with Next.js 16 + React 19 + Tauri v2 that supports both web self-hosting and desktop apps (macOS/Windows/Linux, iOS coming soon) from a single codebase. Rather than bundling models, it connects to user-selected LLMs via a local OpenClaw Gateway (WebSocket + JSON-RPC protocol, default address ws://127.0.0.1:18789), offering Ask, Agent, and Plan interaction modes with streaming support.

AI Agent Interaction

• Agent Builder: selectable personas, custom system prompts, configurable behavior
• Inline Edits: agent proposes changes → user reviews per-hunk diff → accept/reject
• 7 Slash commands: /edit, /explain, /refactor, /generate, /search, /commit, /diff
• Session isolation via agent:main:code-editor:{chatId} keys to prevent message cross-contamination

Editor Core

• Monaco Editor-based multi-tab editing with Vim mode, syntax highlighting, Cmd/Ctrl+P fuzzy file open
• LCS algorithm-based dual-line-number side-by-side Diff viewer
• 24 built-in themes (Claude, Supreme, Obsidian, Neon, Catppuccin, etc.) via CSS custom properties, Monaco auto-follows

GitHub Integration

• Token auth, commit, push, branch switching
• Recursive file tree fetching, file content reading, single/multi-file commits
• Clone-free browsing and editing of remote repositories

Desktop Native (Tauri v2)

• Direct local filesystem access, git operations, OS Keychain credential storage
• Integrated xterm.js terminal with Gateway slash command support
• Built-in Spotify + YouTube music/video plugins

Security

• Three-layer auth: WorkOS AuthKit (OAuth), Gateway password (WebSocket challenge/response), IP whitelist (optional CIDR)

Architecture

• Web path: Next.js → SSR → Vercel Edge (with API Routes, proxy.ts security middleware)
• Desktop path: Next.js → static export → Tauri WebView (system WebKit, no Node.js server)
• next.config.ts auto-switches export mode via TAURI_ENV_PLATFORM detection
• Three Context layers: GatewayContext (WebSocket + JSON-RPC), RepoContext (repo/branch/file tree), EditorContext (files/tabs/dirty file tracking)

Performance (self-reported, not independently verified)

• ~7.8 MB install (Cursor ~500 MB)
• ~80 MB idle RAM (Cursor 500 MB–2 GB)
• <1s startup

Prerequisites & Installation

• Node.js 20+, pnpm, OpenClaw Gateway running locally
• Desktop: download .dmg/.exe/.msi/.AppImage/.deb from GitHub Releases
• Web: pnpm dev (localhost:3080) or pnpm build for static export
• macOS notarization workaround: xattr -cr /Applications/KnotCode.app

Unconfirmed Items

• OpenClaw Gateway's independent repo link and installation instructions not provided in the editor repo
• iOS release has no specific timeline
• AI agent availability in web self-hosted mode not explicitly documented
• Remote Gateway or custom port configuration support not clarified