Penpot Desktop: An Unofficial Desktop App for the Penpot Design Tool

Penpot Desktop: An Unofficial Desktop App for the Penpot Design Tool

Summary

Penpot Desktop is an unofficial desktop application for the open-source design tool, Penpot. It provides a dedicated desktop experience, offering features like a tab interface, versatile dark-light mode, and the ability to connect to various Penpot instances. This application enhances the user experience by bringing Penpot's web functionality into a native desktop environment.

Repository Info

Updated on January 10, 2026
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Introduction

Penpot Desktop is an unofficial desktop application designed to bring the open-source design tool Penpot to your desktop environment. It offers a native application experience, allowing users to access Penpot's full functionality outside of a web browser. This project aims to enhance usability with features tailored for a desktop environment.

Installation

For detailed installation instructions, please refer to the official Penpot Desktop Wiki. The project supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

For developers, the process involves cloning the repository, installing dependencies with npm ci, and then running npm run dev for development or npm run build to create a distributable application.

Key Features

Penpot Desktop offers a range of features to enhance your experience:

  • System-level application experience: Enjoy a dedicated window and potential file extension associations.
  • Versatile dark-light mode setup: Customize your visual experience.
  • Tab interface: Easily navigate between multiple projects.
  • Connect to different instances: Work with officially hosted Penpot, local instances, or even for offline use.
  • Local instance creator: Set up and run a local Penpot instance via Docker, ideal for offline work.
  • Batch export of projects: Streamline your workflow with bulk export capabilities.

Why Use Penpot Desktop?

Using Penpot Desktop provides a more integrated and focused experience compared to using Penpot in a web browser. It offers the convenience of a dedicated application, an improved workflow with features like tabbed navigation and local instance management, and the flexibility to work offline. For designers who frequently use Penpot, this desktop client can significantly enhance productivity and user comfort.

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