Idiot Box

A customizable desktop IDE that keeps your tools together.

Code, preview, test, browse, and run projects in one flexible workspace.

Features · Get started · Developer tools · Community

Your project, one workspace

Idiot Box is a free, open-source desktop IDE built for flexible project work. Arrange the editor, terminal, browser, previews, and developer tools around the way you work.

✍️ Code Smart editor, diagnostics, and live reload

🧭 Explore Project map, file tools, and local history

▶️ Run Terminal, tests, debugger, and browser

Features

Editor & project workflow

Tool	What you can do
Code editor	Edit 50+ languages with IntelliSense, diagnostics, automatic language detection, minimap, word wrap, autosave, and live reload when files change outside the app.
Visual project map	Explore pages and components as live preview cards on an infinite canvas. Group by folder, search, pan, zoom, resize, and save layouts per project.
Project panel	Browse files in grid or tree views; drag and drop, multi-select, copy, rename, duplicate, and undo. Deleted files go to the OS Recycle Bin.
Search & replace	Search by literal text or regex, filter matches, replace across files, and undo a replacement.
Local history	Preview and restore per-file snapshots from saves, edits, and replacements.
Live component preview	See component changes immediately in an isolated preview—without saving first.
Media viewer	Zoom, rotate, flip, and pan images and videos.
Session restore	Return to your window state, workspace layout, and open tabs.

Build, run & debug

Tool	What you can do
Terminal	Open working-directory-aware terminals and split terminal panels.
Run & test	Run project commands and discover Jest, Vitest, Mocha, node:test, pytest, and unittest tests. See streamed output and pass/fail summaries.
Debugger	Debug Node.js and Python with breakpoints, call stack, variables, watches, and an evaluate console.
Browser panel	Preview local development servers in dockable browser tabs.
Desktop emulator	Create and manage QEMU virtual machines, view their live display, and inspect logs.
Android emulator	Set up Android tools and manage virtual devices from the IDE.
Extensions	Run supported VS Code-compatible extensions in a local extension host.

Workspace & integrations

Tool	What you can do
Dockable workspace	Arrange panels around your workflow and save project layouts.
Command palette & keybindings	Find common actions quickly and customize shortcuts.
MCP server	Let compatible local AI clients interact with project files, Git, the shell, editor tabs, and other IDE tools. Setup guide →

Privacy note: Projects and settings are stored locally. If you choose to use an online AI feature, the prompt and relevant context are sent to its AI provider. See the Privacy Policy.

Get started

Download the app

Platform	Download
Windows	Microsoft Store
macOS / Linux	Download page
All releases	GitHub Releases

Only the links above are official Idiot Box download sources.

Run from source

Requirements: Node.js LTS and npm.

git clone https://github.com/TheWonderlandStudio/Idiot_Box.git
cd Idiot_Box
npm install
npm start

npm start builds the app bundles and launches Idiot Box.

Developer tools

Command	Description
npm run build	Build the AI styles, preload, renderer, settings, and icons.
npm run build:renderer	Build the main renderer and its lazy-loaded chunks.
npm run build:preload	Build the Electron preload bundle.
npm run build:settings	Build the settings window bundle.
npm test	Run the Node.js test suite.
npm run test:layout	Build the app and run the Electron layout test.
npm run test:ui-overflow	Build the app and run the UI overflow test.

Tech stack

• App: Electron 43, React 19, and FlexLayout
• Editor: Code-OSS services, CodeMirror, and language tooling
• Terminal: xterm.js and node-pty
• Build: esbuild

Repository layout

electron/
  main/       Electron main process, IPC, services, and menus
  preload/    Context-isolated renderer API
  renderer/   React UI, panels, and bundled renderer assets
  shared/     Shared configuration and definitions
build/        Build scripts, icons, and installer resources
docs/         Guides and integration documentation
tests/        Unit and Electron tests

Community

• Issues & feature requests
• Discussions
• Discord
• Contributing guide
• Code of Conduct
• Contributor License Agreement
• Security policy

Sponsors

Idiot Box is free and open source. Thank you to everyone who supports its development.

Mihsan · @mihsanalam
Become a sponsor

License & trademark

The source code is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3. See TRADEMARK.md for the rules on using the Idiot Box name and branding.

_{Built with care by The Wonderland Studio.}