maka vs tessera
Local AI agent workspaces compared
maka and tessera are local workspaces for running AI coding agents. maka records agent activity through a shared runtime and event log, while tessera organizes sessions from several coding-agent providers around parallel tasks and Git workflows.
maka: Keep a Complete Record of AI Agent Work
Apache Maka is a high-performance agent workspace that records every model message, tool call, permission decision, and turn ending. It runs as a desktop app, with TUI and CLI clients, on macOS and preview builds for Windows and Linux.
tessera: Organize AI Coding Sessions Across Projects
Tessera is a local workspace for coordinating Claude Code, Codex, and OpenCode sessions across projects. It brings parallel agent tasks, Git worktrees, session views, and Git workflows together for developers running coding agents on their own machines.
| maka | tessera | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Stars | 5.8k | 313 |
| Forks | 557 | 29 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 19, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 |
Key differences
- maka provides Desktop, TUI, CLI, and evaluation tools backed by one Runtime Host; tessera focuses on organizing Claude Code, Codex, and OpenCode sessions.
- maka records model messages, tool calls, and permission decisions in an append-only event log; tessera emphasizes session views, Git worktrees, and reviewing or publishing code changes.
- maka connects to a user-configured cloud API, local model, or compatible gateway; tessera depends on provider CLIs installed and authenticated locally.
- maka uses the Apache-2.0 license; tessera uses AGPL-3.0, whose network-use obligations may matter when offering modified software as a service.
- maka is an Apache Incubator project and has not made an Apache release; tessera describes team and enterprise capabilities as planned.
- maka lists Windows and Linux as preview platforms and macOS without that qualification; tessera lists Linux as beta and notes that Windows builds are not code-signed.
Choose maka if you…
- need a durable record of agent actions, including tool calls and permission decisions.
- want Desktop, terminal, and evaluation tools sharing one runtime.
- prefer to configure your own cloud, local-model, or compatible-gateway connection and keep workspace data locally.
Choose tessera if you…
- need to coordinate parallel Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode sessions across projects.
- want Git worktrees, diff review, and routine Git workflows in the workspace.
- need mobile access or a CLI for coordinating other agent sessions.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.