Pinokio: One-Click Launcher for Open-Source AI Models, Local Apps & Scripts (Windows, macOS, Linux)

File Information

Description

Installing open-source projects shouldn’t feel like a lengthy process. Previously we use to:

• Clone repo.
• Create virtualenv.
• Install dependencies.
• Fix errors.
• Repeat.

Pinokio exists to ease that entire process.

It is a user-friendly terminal with a UI. It lets you install, run, and manage open-source projects using scripts but without asking users to touch the command line unless they want to.

Think of it as a 1-click launcher for local apps, AI tools, and developer projects where everything runs on your own machine, not in the cloud.

Use Cases

• Install and run open-source AI tools locally
• Launch complex GitHub projects without setup pain
• Manage multiple local apps from one interface
• Avoid cloud-based AI tools for privacy reasons
• Safely explore experimental or early-stage projects
• Replace long README setup instructions with one click

Screenshots

Features of Pinokio AI Browser

How Pinokio Scripts Work (In Simple Terms)

Pinokio scripts are JSON-based instructions that tell Pinokio how to:

• Download files
• Install dependencies
• Run commands
• Launch apps

They’re human-readable and machine-readable, so you can always inspect what’s happening.

Example (installing Python dependencies):

{
  "method": "shell.run",
  "params": {
    "message": "uv pip install -r requirements.txt",
    "path": "server",
    "venv": "venv"
  }
}

What this means:

• The command runs inside the app’s folder
• Dependencies are installed into a local virtual environment
• Nothing leaks into your system Python
• Everything stays isolated

System Requirements

Recommended For You: 10 Pro-Level Offline AI Tools to Reclaim Your Privacy and Productivity in 2026

How to install Pinokio??

Windows Installation

Supported: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)

1. Go to the official Pinokio download page
2. Download the Windows .exe installer
3. Double-click the .exe file
4. Follow the installer steps
5. Launch Pinokio from the Start Menu

On First Launch

• Pinokio will create its local workspace inside:

C:\Users\<your-username>\pinokio\

No system Python, Node, or Conda is modified

Everything runs isolated by default

macOS Installation

Supported: macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)

1. Download the .dmg file for macOS
2. Open the .dmg
3. Drag Pinokio into the Applications folder
4. Open Applications -> Pinokio

Linux Installation

1. Download the Pinokio .AppImage file
2. Right-click the downloaded file
3. Select Properties
4. Go to the Permissions tab
5. Enable “Allow executing file as program”
6. Close the Properties window
7. Double-click the AppImage to launch Pinokio

Download Pinokio: One-Click Launcher for Open-Source AI Tools, Local Apps & Scripts

Conclusion

Pinokio doesn’t try to hide complexity, it organizes it.

It takes the power of the terminal, wraps it in a clean UI, and adds a trust layer that most launchers completely ignore. The result is a tool that feels safe enough for beginners, yet honest enough for developers.

If you like running things locally, exploring open source, or launching AI tools without sacrificing control, Pinokio is one of the most thoughtfully designed launchers out there.