Block open-sources Berd, a desktop AI agent workspace for multiple models

Block Releases Berd as Open Source

Block, the company behind Square and Cash App, has open-sourced Berd, a desktop application. Berd was initially developed internally to offer Block employees a single environment for interacting with AI agents across different models, tools, and projects.

The application is now available on GitHub under an Apache 2.0 license, permitting commercial use, modification, and redistribution. Builds are provided for macOS, Windows, and Linux. The repository has reached version 0.6.2 and lists 91 contributors.

Desktop-First Design for AI Workflows

Berd is a locally installed graphical desktop application, not browser-based. According to Brad Axen, Head of AI Capabilities at Block, its desktop-first approach is crucial for working directly with local files, projects, tools, and agents connected to the user's computer.

Block positions Berd as a "daily AI work surface" where users can manage chats, attach files, select agents and models, configure AI providers, and review session history within persistent projects.

Addressing Fragmentation in AI Agent Use

The design of Berd focuses on making the operational state visible, allowing users to track which project, files, agent, model, provider, and session state are influencing a conversation. This approach differentiates it from generic chatbot wrappers.

Berd originated from Block's internal need to consolidate the experience of using various AI agents like Block's Goose, Anthropic's Claude Code, and OpenAI's Codex. Employees previously navigated different interfaces and configuration systems, leading to a fragmented workflow.