Short answer: Bees is a free open-source desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux that went public on 13 October 2026. It runs a team of AI agents on your own computer: you describe an outcome, Bees plans stages, agents work, a reviewer checks the work, and you approve before risky actions. You bring your own model; Bees charges no per-token or per-run fee.
By Agent Playbox Editorial · Published
Bees desktop AI goes public as free multi-agent app
Key facts
- Went public 13 Oct 2026 as a free open-source desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux (dev.to)
- Runs a team of AI agents on your computer, not a single chat assistant (bees.bot)
- You describe an outcome; Bees plans stages; agents work; a reviewer agent checks before work moves on; you approve before risky actions (bees.bot)
- Bring your own AI: Codex or Claude Code CLI, a hosted provider, or a local model via bundled llama.cpp — no Bees fee per token or per run (dev.to)
- Files, browser sessions, cookies and passwords stay local; private workspace with no sign-in to try (bees.bot)
- Tools via MCP; file scope per run folder; Company Brain for local search; scheduling for recurring processes (bees.bot)
- License MIT or Apache 2.0; two people built it (DEV) (dev.to)
- Mac build signed and notarized; Windows and Linux not code-signed yet (bees.bot)
- Requirements: 8 GB RAM (cloud model), 16 GB (local model), 15 GB free disk (bees.bot)
- Bees 0.2 early; Private org (device-only) or Regular org (free cloud coordination; files stay on each machine); Bees Cloud never stores document contents (bees.bot)
What launched on 13 October 2026?
On 13 October 2026 the team behind bees.bot announced that Bees went public: a free, open-source desktop app that runs a team of AI agents on your own computer (DEV Community launch post). Unlike a single chat assistant, Bees is built so several agents can plan, execute and review work toward an outcome you describe.
The product is early (version 0.2 per the download page). Two people built it, according to the DEV post. Source code is on GitHub (Bees-bot/bees-desktop), and the site and DEV post describe the license as MIT or Apache 2.0.
How does Bees work?
Outcome in, staged work out
You describe what you want done. Bees plans stages, agents take on the work, and a separate reviewer agent checks results before the run moves on. For actions that can change the outside world — send, post, delete or pay — Bees asks for your approval first (bees.bot).
Bring your own model
Bees does not sell tokens. You connect a model you already pay for or run locally: Codex or Claude Code CLI subscriptions, a hosted provider key, or a local model through the bundled llama.cpp runtime. Bees itself adds no per-token or per-run fee (DEV).
Tools, scope and memory
Each agent can use tools through MCP. File access is scoped to the run folder. Company Brain is local search over folders you map (including Google Drive where configured). A local memory service keeps context on the machine, and scheduling supports recurring processes without sending documents to Bees Cloud.
How does Bees handle privacy and local data?
The design goal is local-first. Files, browser sessions, cookies and passwords are described as staying on your computer. You can try a private workspace with no sign-in. The company site states that Bees Cloud never receives or stores document contents.
Two organisation modes are documented on the download page: a Private org that stays device-only with no account, and a Regular org that adds free cloud coordination so you can invite teammates while files remain on each machine. That split matters if you want solo local work versus light team orchestration without uploading documents.
What does Bees cost and which platforms does it support?
Pricing in the sources we checked is free, including cloud coordination for now. You still pay your own model provider (or use local compute). Funding was not disclosed in the materials we reviewed, so we mark it as unknown on the agent profile.
Bees runs on macOS, Windows and Linux. The Mac build is signed and notarized; Windows and Linux builds are not code-signed yet, so you may see a SmartScreen or similar warning (download notes). Hardware guidance: about 8 GB RAM when using a cloud model, 16 GB for a local model, and 15 GB free disk.
What does Bees mean for personal users?
If you want agents that work on your desktop files and browser without a new SaaS fee per token, Bees is a practical open-source option. Good first jobs include competitor watch, repurposing one post into five and drafting replies in an inbox-style workflow where you still approve anything sent.
Templates such as inbox zero coach, content producer and competitor monitor map well onto multi-agent stages with a human check. Because Bees asks before risky actions, it fits people who want automation with a clear approval gate.
What does Bees mean for businesses and small teams?
Regular org mode is aimed at inviting teammates while keeping documents on each device. That is useful for small studios and founders who want shared coordination without a cloud document store. MCP tools and Company Brain make it easier to point agents at mapped project folders.
Compared with hosted business agents, Bees trades managed cloud computers for local control and bring-your-own-model economics. Teams that already pay for Codex or Claude Code can reuse those subscriptions. For a broader frame, see business vs personal agents.
How does Bees compare with Comma and Claude Cowork?
Comma is another free, open-source personal agent that uses browser, computer and files and can be self-hosted. Bees emphasises an explicit multi-agent plan–work–review loop plus desktop installs for Mac, Windows and Linux. Side-by-side: Bees vs Comma.
Claude Cowork is Anthropic’s business-oriented desktop coworker for file-centric work. Bees is a separate open-source multi-agent shell where you choose the model, including Claude Code if you already use it. Compare them in Bees vs Claude Cowork, and browse more options in our best personal AI agents 2026 guide.
What should you watch next from Bees?
Version 0.2 is early. Watch for code-signing on Windows and Linux, clearer guidance on which license applies in each release, and how Regular org coordination evolves while remaining free. As the GitHub repo and bees.bot update, we will refresh the Bees profile and related comparisons.
Timeline: how did we get here?
- : Nod: n8n Labs releases an open-source personal agent. n8n Labs released Nod as a research preview on 10 November 2026: a free, open-source (Apache 2.0) personal agent for Mac and Windows with its own sandboxed computer and browser.
- : ERP•AI launches Proto, an agent that builds and runs business software. ERP•AI launched Proto on 15 October 2026, a desktop AI agent for business teams.
- : Bees goes public: free open-source desktop AI agent teams. Bees, a free open-source desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux, went public on 13 October 2026.
Agent snapshot: what do we know so far?
Facts below come from the agent profiles in our directory, each linked to its source.
Bees at a glance
- Vendor: Bees (two-person team per DEV; company legal name unknown)
- Where you use it: Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux (per bees.bot)
- Pricing and availability: Free (including cloud coordination currently per bees.bot/download); bring your own model — no per-token or per-run fee from Bees
- Funding: Not disclosed in the sources we checked
Comma at a glance
- Vendor: Unknown
- Where you use it: Self-hostable; uses browser, computer and files
- Pricing and availability: Free and open source (per comma.surf)
- Funding: Unknown
Related comparisons and guides
Agents in this story
Free open-source desktop app that runs a team of AI agents on your computer; bring your own model; asks before risky actions.
Free, open-source, always-on personal AI agent using browser/computer/files; self-hostable
Frequently asked questions
What is Bees?
A free open-source desktop app (macOS, Windows, Linux) that runs a team of AI agents on your computer. You describe an outcome; agents plan, work and review; you approve before risky actions.
Is Bees free?
Yes, in the sources we checked. Bees charges no per-token or per-run fee. You bring your own model (local, Codex, Claude Code or a hosted key) and may still pay that provider.
Does Bees upload my documents to the cloud?
The company site says Bees Cloud never receives or stores document contents. Private org mode is device-only; Regular org adds free cloud coordination while files stay on each machine.
Which platforms does Bees support?
macOS, Windows and Linux. The Mac build is signed and notarized; Windows and Linux are not code-signed yet per the download page.
Who built Bees?
Two people, according to the 13 October 2026 DEV Community launch post. A formal company legal name was not stated in the sources we checked.
Sources
Updated