Acres is a local-first visual workspace whose core is an infinite canvas on which Markdown cards can be placed. All cards and board data are stored in pure Markdown and readable JSON format in a folder chosen by the user, with no export needed and no lock-in.
Main Capabilities
Infinite Canvas and Visual Organization
Users can use cards, connections, mind maps, and colorable sections on an infinite canvas, and add images and handwritten ink. Related content can be grouped together, related parts connected, and important content circled, so that the structure of a problem becomes visible.
Tasks and Planning
Every checkbox in every card is a task. The Tasks view collects all tasks into one board (Open, In Progress, Done), with the user's board as swimlanes. Users can type @due(date) inline, and overdue work automatically floats up. When a card is dragged across swimlanes, its source note also changes accordingly.
Agent-Native Support
Cards are pure Markdown and boards are readable JSON, so Claude Code, Cursor, or Codex can connect with one click. Through MCP, agents can search the graph, write cards, connect relationships, and select entire regions, landing in real time on the board the user has open and merging with the user's edits (three-way merge).
AI Assistant and Board Collaboration
After opening the AI dock, users can bring their own keys: Claude, GPT, Gemini, or run completely locally via Ollama or LM Studio. The AI reads the board and makes actual edits: creating cards, connections, and sections. Card rewrites are presented as word-level diffs and approved by the user. Board changes use the app's undo history.
Planning and Approval Workflow
Users can point to a long text note and ask for it to be organized. The agent drafts a plan: extracting new cards from the text, linking back to the source, grouping and connecting, and never using raw coordinates. The user reviews the draft first, down to an ASCII sketch in the terminal; nothing lands until approval.
Change Log and Control
Agent activity records who changed what and when. Users can come back to a "while you were away" summary, inspect note diffs, and review every session. Supported changes can be rolled back, with safeguards for newer work.
How to Use
Acres runs in a local-first way, requires no account, has no telemetry, and can be used offline. Users own the card and board files,Can be opened, grepped, backed up, or handed off to scripts in any editor. AI features require users to provide their own keys or local models.
Use cases
Suitable for users who need to keep thinking, planning, and agent collaboration in the same visual space. Especially suitable for scenarios where users want complete control over their data, do not want to be locked into proprietary formats, and want agents to be able to work directly on the actual canvas rather than merely answering questions.
Limitations
Currently only a 14-day free trial is offered, after which a one-time payment of $59 is required (early adopter price). More detailed information about platform support (such as operating systems), specific agent integration details, local model performance, etc. is not yet available in official materials.
