# Ninebrains

> An open-source desktop workbench that runs parallel coding agents, each in its own git
> worktree, with a central Brain that hands out the work and verification gates that prove it
> before it counts as done. Free and open source for macOS, Windows and Linux.

## About

Ninebrains is a desktop application, a fork of Emdash, published by Advance Labs Inc. under
Apache-2.0. It runs Claude Code, Codex and Freebuff side by side. It runs the CLIs you are
already logged in to and never handles your credentials.

- Site: https://ninebrains.runs-on.dev/
- Source: https://github.com/Advance-Labs/ninebrains
- Docs: https://docs.advancelabs.dev/ninebrains
- Downloads: https://github.com/Advance-Labs/ninebrains/releases/latest
- Licence: Apache-2.0
- Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux
- Price: free

## Install

    curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -fsSL https://ninebrains.runs-on.dev/install | sh

Installs or updates. Checks the SHA256 first. No Gatekeeper warning on macOS. A PowerShell
installer is at https://ninebrains.runs-on.dev/install.ps1, and signed installers, .dmg and
.exe downloads are on the releases page.

## How it works

### Lanes: four agents, four worktrees
Every lane gets its own git worktree and branch, terminal, editor and browser. Four lanes to a
tab, as many tabs as you want. Lanes cannot touch each other's files, so nothing merges by
accident.

### The Brain: a brief becomes a job graph
The Brain turns a brief into a graph of jobs with dependencies, plus a mailbox the lanes can
talk through. A job goes to whichever lane is idle, the moment everything it depends on is
done. Arena shows its status across every project you have open at once.

### Gates: proven by a second run
No agent grades its own work. When a lane says it is done, a second run has to prove it: the
tests, screenshots at three widths, a read-only reviewer. A failed gate sends the evidence
back, up to three attempts, then blocks the job and tells you.

### Planner: draw the plan, run the plan
Jobs are nodes, dependencies are edges. Run plan compiles the canvas into Brain jobs,
idempotently, and refuses a graph with a cycle in it.

### Packs: off until you turn them on
Per-project bundles of lane roles, skills, MCP servers and gates, for coding, SEO and research.
A project that has not turned a pack on gets nothing from it.

### Freebuff: a usage limit is a handoff
When Claude Code or Codex hits its usage limit mid-task, the conversation offers to continue in
Freebuff, free, in the same worktree. One click opens it and copies a handoff note.

## Key facts

Q: What is Ninebrains?
A: An open-source desktop workbench for running several coding agents at once on one repository,
each isolated in its own git worktree, coordinated by a central Brain and checked by independent
verification gates.

Q: Which agents does it run?
A: Claude Code, Codex, Freebuff and OpenCode.

Q: How do agents avoid conflicting with each other?
A: Each lane works in its own git worktree and branch, so lanes cannot write to each other's
files.

Q: Does Ninebrains see my API keys or logins?
A: No. It runs the CLIs you are already logged in to and never touches your credentials.

Q: Is Ninebrains free?
A: Yes. It is free and open source under Apache-2.0.

Q: Are the builds code-signed?
A: Not yet. A .dmg or .exe downloaded in a browser makes macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen
warn you before it opens, and unsigned builds do not auto-update. The install script checks the
SHA256 and avoids the Gatekeeper warning on macOS.

Q: Who makes Ninebrains?
A: Advance Labs Inc., an independent Canadian lab in London, Ontario. https://advancelabs.dev

## Related

- Advance Labs: https://advancelabs.dev
- runs-on.dev, free subdomains for developer projects: https://runs-on.dev
- Emdash, the upstream project Ninebrains forks: https://github.com/generalaction/emdash