Whiteboard is an open-source desktop application designed to enable humans and AI agents to architect software together in a shared workspace. Available for macOS and Fedora, the tool integrates with existing coding agents like Claude Code and Codex, providing those agents with an SDK to visualize their work on an in-app canvas.
The platform addresses several pain points in modern software development. According to the source, pure HTML tools struggled to connect specifications or diagrams to underlying code, particularly when tradeoffs only became apparent after initial implementation. Whiteboard allows users to click on visualizations—such as sequence diagrams or entity relationship diagrams—and jump directly to related code. The tool includes VSCode keybindings and LSP support out of the box.
A key feature is the semantic, AST-aware diff viewer written in Rust, which the developers say reduces noise in raw diff views. Large added functions are summarized as pseudocode by default, while unit tests and documentation changes can be collapsed or hidden. The project notes this is customizable through a WASM-based plugin system.
To address transparency in agent decision-making, Whiteboard includes tools allowing agents to query and link their own traces within the interface. This enables developers to visualize requirements they set, understand implementation approaches, and see which decisions the agent made autonomously.
The application runs against local code checkouts and collects anonymous telemetry that excludes code, diffs, prompts, and model output. According to the source, a hosted product for teams is planned, with everything remaining self-hostable. The project uses a vendored Code OSS fork rather than maintaining patches, as the developers note that coding agents struggle with patches.
Current limitations include the inability to edit files directly in Whiteboard and limited support for browsing files across multiple repositories in a single review. Shared reviews do not auto-update across machines; users must re-share after making changes.
Whiteboard is MIT-licensed and actively seeking contributions and feedback via its GitHub repository and Discord community.
Key facts
- Whiteboard integrates with coding agents like Claude Code and Codex to visualize agent work on a canvas
- The tool features a semantic diff viewer that summarizes large functions as pseudocode and hides non-essential changes by default
- Developers can click visualizations to jump directly to underlying code with VSCode keybindings and LSP support
- The app includes agent trace visualization to help developers understand autonomous decisions made during code changes
- Whiteboard runs on local checkouts with optional anonymous telemetry that excludes code and prompts