Why Stroke is a Desktop App

When I set out to create Stroke, building it as a desktop app rather than a web-based tool felt like the obvious choice for me. This approach was driven by the needs of users like me who value seamless performance, zero friction, and privacy. But maybe this decision seems obvious only to me, because I’m a developer with an extensive experience using IDE software. So, i feel called to list the key advantages of Stroke as a desktop app:

• Offline Access. With Stroke, you can create and edit content anytime, anywhere — even without an internet connection. And here i want to say – this applied not only to basic functionality. Your personal AI models works offline too – after training process, they stored and run solely on your device. This ensures uninterrupted productivity, whether you’re on a plane, in a remote location, or simply facing a shaky Wi-Fi signal.
• Real-Time Operations. Desktop apps deliver near-instantaneous response times. With Stroke, simple actions like creating new files, adding large massive of text, or shaking content between files – everything happens without the latency of network requests, providing a seamless, real-time experience.
• Native Integration with OS Features. It’s a simple thing, but integration with operating system capabilities (e.g., file explorers, notifications) enhances the usability of the application so significantly. Stroke brings an exceptional user experience by taking full advantage of OS features.
• Local Storage and Privacy. Storing your documents locally ensures they remain under your control, safe from cloud vulnerabilities. For example, my personal diary has over 1,000 entries. Keeping them on my computer felt far more practical and secure than relying on a web server. This approach minimizes dependence on cloud servers, enhancing privacy and giving me full control over my personal data.
• AI Independence. With Stroke, your personal AI models work and use power entirely of your device. It’s free from any problems on web services, cloud providers, or third parties. This means no disruptions — just pure, uninterrupted access to your AI. Recently, when GPT went was down for 12 hours, it sparked panic among users who couldn’t work. Stroke gives you freedom, ensuring your AI is always ready when you are.

Most of these advantages became clear to me when I started working as a software developer. As a developer, I enjoy every moment of my workflow when working in an IDE like VS Code or Cursor. It’s an incredible experience: everything runs instantly, I can work on a plane, and I never worry about being offline for a while. And, of course, all the popular AI models are already there — just in a single window, deeply integrated into my workflow.

Another major part of my life is writing. I built Stroke to make me enjoy the workflow and bring seamless productivity to my creative work. In other words, I just want a responsive, intuitive, and empowering creativity tool, as IDEs do for developers.