Hob

People suitable for trying Hob include users who frequently handle sensitive files, need to work offline, or want to escape subscription-based billing.

Hob's web search function requires an internet connection, while its core file processing and conversation capabilities are available offline.

Officially, it has not yet been stated whether Hob allows users to manually switch models.

Hob does not require users to manually select a local inference framework; instead, framework selection is encapsulated inside the application.

Hob's file editing capability carries permission risks, and users need to carefully set the scope of operation to avoid mistakenly modifying important materials.

Hob is a free, open-source AI application that supports the Mac, Windows and Linux desktop platforms.

Hob's model runs entirely on the user's local computer, chat records and files stay on the local machine, and core conversation and file processing are available when offline.

Hob can read and edit files in user-selected folders, convert spreadsheets into charts, fill out PDFs, view photos and search the web.

Hob automatically detects the local hardware, selects the best open-source model that can run smoothly, and automatically completes installation and configuration.

Hob's model inference is performed entirely on the local device, without relying on cloud APIs.

Hob was posted in the Show HN section of Hacker News and received only 4 points with no comments so far.

Hob is an open-source, on-device AI assistant positioned as an alternative to Claude Cowork and ChatGPT.

Whether Hob can approach cloud products in experience depends on the capabilities of local models and the level of engineering optimization; the information disclosed by the project so far is limited, and actual performance remains to be verified.