splash

SplashCompareAionUi

Splash and AionUi, compared.

Splash and AionUi are open-source desktop apps that run agents such as Claude Code and Codex. AionUi is a general-purpose agent workspace with office assistants, team mode and schedules; it uses the Agent Client Protocol for most agents and connects to Claude Code and Codex through their own CLI interfaces. Splash drives every coding session over ACP, optionally in a git worktree.

Checked 10 October 202657 sourcesNot affiliated with AionUi

Splash

Helge Sverre

A desktop app for running several coding agents at once, each session in its project folder or its own git worktree. It drives agents over the Agent Client Protocol.12

splash.computer

AionUi

AionUi

An Electron desktop app where a built-in agent and 20+ CLI agents work in a local project folder, with office-document assistants, team mode, scheduled tasks, a browser WebUI and chat-app control.345

aionui.com

Side by side

SplashAionUi
The basics
What it is Desktop app, plus a headless server you open in a browser16 Electron desktop app for coding and office work, with a WebUI mode; a standalone web server builds from the repo478910
Release status v0.2.1, early development111 v2.2.2 (9 September 2026), not labelled beta; since August 2026 installers come from aionui.com rather than GitHub Releases12131415
License Open source (MIT)16 Apache-2.0 on GitHub and in the site footer; the aionui.com app’s terms grant a revocable license and say certain components may be open source17181319
Price Free20 Free; you pay your model provider for API use. The terms also describe a prepaid balance mode, with no published prices7319
Platforms macOS 14+ (Apple silicon and Intel), Windows 11 x64, Ubuntu 24.04 x6421 macOS 12+ (Apple silicon and Intel), Windows 10+ x64 and arm64, Ubuntu 20.04+ and Debian 11+ x64 and arm64 (.deb)13
Built with Rust, with a Svelte 5 frontend in a webview, built on the Elyra framework22 Electron and TypeScript, plus a Rust backend (aioncore, on Axum, Tokio and SQLite) that the app starts432324
Agents
Agents Ships launch commands for 20 agents, including Claude Code, Codex, Copilot, Gemini, Goose, OpenCode2526 A built-in agent plus 20+ detected CLIs, including Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI and Goose; you can add other ACP CLIs327
How it runs agents Agent Client Protocol over stdio, natively or through a pinned adapter for the vendor’s CLI252 ACP for most CLIs; Claude Code, Codex and Antigravity driven directly through their own CLI modes, not ACP; an embedded engine for the built-in agent27282930
Agent sign-in Who pays for the model You install and sign in to each agent’s CLI yourself; Splash runs it with that login26 Each CLI uses its own login; the built-in agent uses API keys you enter. AionUi charges no model fee in BYOK mode274319
Account required Splash has no accounts; splash-server asks for a token it keeps in its data folder316 None in the GitHub code, which skips sign-in locally; release notes say the aionui.com build (AionUi Pro) requires sign-in (Google for now)33233143435
Permission requests When an agent asks before it acts Yes: Shown in the transcript and answered with the 1–9 keys; pending ones wait in Needs attention36 Yes: Approval prompts, one-time or persistent; Team Mode gives each agent its own dialog. Unattended modes depend on the agent273
MCP servers Partly: Read-only list of MCP servers from Claude Code, Codex, Pi, Pool and Glue config files3637 Yes: Servers added once in settings (stdio, SSE, HTTP), then synced or injected into each agent as its support allows3837
Working in parallel
Isolation per session Yes: The project folder, or a git worktree on its own branch per session36 No: One project folder per conversation, which agents read and write directly and Team Mode agents share; existing git worktrees show up in the Changes tab, but creating them is not documented5339401541
Terminal Yes: A terminal in the session folder36 Partly: Commands ACP agents run through the app show as live output cards with a Stop button; folders open in an external terminal. No terminal panel is documented4243
What needs you Yes: One queue for permission requests, connection failures and finished turns, kept across restarts3644 Yes: Since v2.2.1, a sidebar icon marks ACP, Codex and Aion CLI conversations waiting on a permission or a question, with a desktop notification when unfocused40
Agents handing off work One agent launching or messaging another No: Each session is one agent in one folder; sessions don’t hand work to each other136 Yes: Team Mode: a Leader agent splits a task and hands parts to Teammate agents that run in parallel, coordinated over MCP3
Scheduled tasks Agents that start without a prompt from you No: No scheduler; an agent starts when you create, continue or prompt a session22 Yes: Cron with time zone, fixed interval or one-time triggers; agents can schedule tasks themselves, and each task can set its own model and folder3
Built-in browser No: No built-in browser; the workbench holds git changes, a file tree, diff and file tabs, and a terminal36 Yes: A browser tab in the preview panel that the agent drives through a bundled MCP server, aionui-browser, since v2.1.4714
Review and shipping
Review changes Yes: Latest response, failed tools and every changed file as a diff, with a box to send feedback36 Yes: Lists changed files and opens each as a diff; Add to chat puts selected diff text in the message box4539464748
Files and diffs Partly: File tree, git changes and diff tabs; files open read-only, with no editor3649 Yes: A project folder tree; stage, unstage or discard changes; preview tabs open 10+ formats and edit code, Markdown and HTML in place545393
GitHub Yes: Issues, pull requests and Actions runs across repositories, through the gh CLI3650 No: No pull requests, CI checks or issues. Git actions are stage, unstage and discard; no commit or push5152
Where it runs
Remote access Yes: splash-server runs on the machine with your code; you use it in a browser over an SSH tunnel. Single user.6 Yes: WebUI in any browser over LAN, Tailscale or a server, for one admin; chat bots for Telegram, Slack, Discord and more3535455
Auto-update No: Download new versions from GitHub Releases; the app does not update itself2156 Yes: The app updates from a feed on AionUi’s servers; since August 2026 GitHub releases hold notes, not installers121415
History and search
Existing agent history Conversations started outside the app Yes: Browse, preview and import conversations agents list over ACP, including ones started outside Splash3644 Not documented: Not documented; conversations live in AionUi’s own local SQLite database3
Search transcripts Yes: Search titles, folders and saved transcript text, archived sessions included36 Yes: Keyword search across past messages that loads more as you scroll and jumps to the matching message39
Fork a conversation Partly: Experimental: fork the current conversation when the agent supports it, not from an earlier message3644 Yes: Fork from a message: Codex at any turn, Claude Code and ACP agents at the latest message14

Where they differ

How agents connect

AionUi connects most CLIs over the Agent Client Protocol, but its backend (AionCore v0.2.2) runs Claude Code as a headless claude --print process with stream-json, drives Codex through codex app-server, and gives its built-in agent an embedded engine. Splash connects to every agent over ACP, natively or through a pinned adapter for the vendor’s CLI.27282930252

Folders and worktrees

AionUi ties each conversation to a project folder that agents edit directly, and Team Mode agents share that folder; existing git worktrees show up in its Changes tab, and creating them is not documented. Splash runs a session in the project folder or in a new git worktree on its own branch.53394015413657

License, price and accounts

AionUi’s repositories are Apache-2.0, and the code there runs without an account. Since August 2026 installers come from aionui.com. Release notes call that build a “commercial counterpart” and say it requires sign-in (Google for now); its terms grant a revocable license and describe a prepaid balance mode. Splash is free, MIT-licensed and has no accounts.171832141519162031

Scope of work

AionUi reaches beyond code: 21 built-in assistants for slides, spreadsheets, documents and more, a Team Mode where a leader agent delegates, scheduled tasks, an agent-driven browser, and control from chat apps. Splash centers on coding sessions: a Needs attention queue, a review screen, transcript search, importing agent history and a GitHub view across repositories.3714364450

Platforms and remote use

AionUi ships for macOS, Windows and Linux (.deb), on x64 and arm64; its WebUI serves the app to phones and other computers for one admin, and a standalone web server builds from the repo. Splash builds for macOS 14+, Windows 11 x64 and Ubuntu 24.04 x64, plus splash-server, used in a browser over an SSH tunnel.13353910216

Which one fits

Splash may suit you if

  • You want every agent, Claude Code and Codex included, driven over the Agent Client Protocol.
  • You want each session in its own git worktree on its own branch.
  • You want to import conversations agents started outside the app and search them with the rest.
  • You want a GitHub view of issues, pull requests and Actions runs across repositories.

AionUi may suit you if

  • You want built-in assistants for slides, spreadsheets and documents alongside coding agents.
  • You want a leader agent to split work across teammate agents, and tasks that start on a schedule.
  • You want to reach your agents from a phone browser or from chat apps such as Telegram, Slack or Discord.
  • You want an in-app browser the agent can drive, and a preview panel that edits code, Markdown and HTML.

Sources

Facts about AionUi come from its public website, documentation and repositories as they read on 10 October 2026; we haven't confirmed each one by running AionUi. Facts about Splash link to its source. Products change, so check the linked pages before deciding. Something wrong or out of date? Open an issue.

  1. 1 Splash README Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  2. 2 Agent Client Protocol agentclientprotocol.com · agentclientprotocol.com · checked 2026-10-09
  3. 3 README iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  4. 4 FAQ (wiki) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  5. 5 Quick Start Guide (wiki) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  6. 6 Splash README: Run as a web app over SSH Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  7. 7 AionUi home page AionUi · aionui.com · checked 2026-10-10
  8. 8 docs/guides/webui.md iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  9. 9 WebUI Configuration Guide (wiki) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  10. 10 Dockerfile iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  11. 11 Splash releases Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  12. 12 latest-mac.yml (update manifest) AionUi · static.aionui.com · checked 2026-10-10
  13. 13 Download AionUi · aionui.com · checked 2026-10-10
  14. 14 Release v2.1.47-final iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  15. 15 Release v2.2.2 iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  16. 16 LICENSE Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  17. 17 LICENSE iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  18. 18 LICENSE (AionCore) iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  19. 19 Terms of Service AionUi · aionui.com · checked 2026-10-10
  20. 20 Download Splash splash.computer · splash.computer · checked 2026-10-09
  21. 21 Splash README: Download the app Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  22. 22 Splash README: How it works Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  23. 23 docs/contributing/development.md iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  24. 24 ARCHITECTURE.md iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  25. 25 src/agents/registry.rs Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  26. 26 Splash README: Agents Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  27. 27 ACP Setup (wiki) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  28. 28 crates/aionui-ai-agent/src/factory/acp.rs (v0.2.2) iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  29. 29 crates/aionui-session/src/adapter/claude.rs (v0.2.2) iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  30. 30 crates/aionui-session/src/backend/codex_conn.rs (v0.2.2) iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  31. 31 Splash README: Build from source Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  32. 32 crates/aionui-app/src/cli.rs iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  33. 33 packages/web-host/src/backend-launcher.ts iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  34. 34 UpdateMigrationDialog.tsx iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  35. 35 Sign in to AionUi AionUi · aionui.com · checked 2026-10-10
  36. 36 Splash README: Features Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  37. 37 src/agents/customize.rs Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  38. 38 MCP Configuration Guide (wiki) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  39. 39 en-US/conversation.json (UI strings) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  40. 40 Release v2.2.1 iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  41. 41 CHANGELOG.md iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  42. 42 MessageAcpTerminalOutput.tsx iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  43. 43 WorkspaceOpenButton.tsx iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  44. 44 Splash README: Existing sessions and review Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  45. 45 ScmChangesView.tsx iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  46. 46 ScmPanel.tsx iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  47. 47 DiffViewer.tsx iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  48. 48 SelectionToolbar.tsx iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  49. 49 app/src/components/FileTab.svelte Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  50. 50 Splash README: GitHub view Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  51. 51 crates/aionui-project/src/scm/types.rs iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  52. 52 scmModel.ts iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  53. 53 Remote Internet Access Guide (wiki) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  54. 54 crates/aionui-app/Cargo.toml (v0.2.2) iOfficeAI/AionCore on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  55. 55 Slack Bot Setup Guide (wiki) iOfficeAI/AionUi on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-10
  56. 56 app/src/components/settings/About.svelte Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09
  57. 57 src/worktree.rs Splash on GitHub · github.com · checked 2026-10-09