Choose Emdash for a free desktop app that runs almost any agent CLI in git worktrees, pulls tasks from your issue tracker and keeps pull requests and CI in one window. Choose intentic when you want agents in a Docker sandbox that keeps running after you close the browser, reachable from any device.
Both are free and open source, both run agents on your own subscriptions, and both can put the work on another machine. The difference is a desktop app on your computer versus a sandbox with a browser in front of it.
Emdash vs intentic: at a glance
▸ marks Emdash's strengths (4 rows)
Parallel agents in git worktrees · Both give each task its own git worktree, run the agent CLIs you already pay for and show diffs before you merge. Neither resells model access. A worktree separates branches, not processes.
| Dimension | intentic | Emdash |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | MIT; free to self-host | Apache-2.0; free, with no account needed |
| Interface | Browser workspace on any device, including a phone | Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux; web and mobile announced for 2.0 |
| Agents | Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok, Kimi Code, Devin and ACP agents | ▸More than 25 agent CLIs, from Claude Code and Codex to Amp and Goose |
| Isolation | Docker sandbox plus a git worktree per conversation | Git worktree per task on the host; no container |
| Issue trackers | GitHub, GitLab and Redmine as capabilities | ▸Linear, Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Asana and more |
| Pull requests and CI | Review changes, then land them in your checkout | ▸Diffs, PR creation and GitHub Actions checks in the app |
| Setup | One command starts a Docker sandbox | ▸Desktop install; no Docker or account required |
The main differences
A desktop app or a sandbox in the browser
Emdash is a desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux; agents run on that computer or on a server over SSH. intentic runs agents in a Docker sandbox and opens in any browser, including a phone's. Emdash has announced web and mobile access for version 2.0, which is a waitlist today.
When you close the laptop
Emdash's remote projects and schedules keep running on a server without the desktop connected, and tmux can keep local agents alive after you close the app, except on Windows. intentic's runs live in the sandbox, so a sandbox on an always-on machine keeps working without your laptop.
Issue trackers, pull requests and CI
Emdash pulls issues from Linear, Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Asana and more, and shows pull requests and GitHub Actions checks beside the diff. intentic connects GitHub, GitLab, Redmine and Sentry as capabilities and can start an agent from a push, an alert or a schedule.
When to choose Emdash
Pick Emdash if you want a free desktop app that works with nearly every agent CLI, takes work straight from Linear or Jira and keeps PRs and CI checks in view. It needs no account and no Docker, and its SSH remote projects cover much of the server use case. Choose intentic for a sandbox around the agents and access from any browser.
Emdash: common questions
What is Emdash?
Emdash is a free, Apache-2.0 desktop app from General Action, a Y Combinator W26 company, for running coding agents in parallel. Each task gets a git worktree, and you review diffs, open pull requests and watch CI in the app. Its site moved from emdash.sh to emdash.com.
Is Emdash free and open source?
Yes. Emdash is Apache-2.0 and free, and you can use it locally without signing in. It runs agents through their official CLIs, so your agent subscriptions or API keys pay for the models. A team-focused Emdash 2.0 is on a waitlist. intentic is MIT and free to self-host.
Which agents does Emdash support?
Its providers page lists 35 agent CLIs, including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, OpenCode, Amp, Goose, Qwen Code, Kimi and Droid. intentic runs Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok, Kimi Code and Devin natively, plus ACP agents such as OpenCode and Gemini CLI.
Does Emdash work on Windows and Linux?
Yes. Emdash ships builds for macOS, Windows and Linux, including Linux on ARM64. The current version has no web or mobile client. intentic opens in a browser on any system; its sandbox needs a Docker host, which on Windows runs through WSL2.
Can Emdash run agents remotely or on a schedule?
Yes. Remote projects run agents on a server over SSH without exposing a public port, and remote schedules run without the desktop connected. Locally, tmux can keep agents running after you close the app, except on Windows. intentic reaches its sandbox through a private tunnel from any browser.
Emdash vs Orca or Conductor: which should I choose?
Emdash and Orca are both free, open-source desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that run many agent CLIs in worktrees. Orca adds phone apps in beta and a headless server; Emdash adds a long list of issue trackers. Conductor is a proprietary Mac app with managed cloud workspaces. intentic is the browser-based option.
Sources and last checked date
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