What Jan Is
Jan is a privacy-first, open-source chatbot built to run entirely on your own machine. It keeps conversations and settings local to your device, giving you direct control over exporting or erasing your data whenever you choose. Designed for people and teams who want AI capabilities without sending sensitive information to external servers.
Privacy and Data Controls
- Stores all chat history and preferences on the host computer so nothing is sent to third-party services.
- Lets you export conversation logs and remove any stored data on demand.
- Prioritizes user ownership of data and simple controls for managing what is kept or deleted.
Integration and Local API
Jan exposes an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint on localhost:1337, making it straightforward to connect existing applications that expect an OpenAI-like interface. Run the local server and point compatible tools to that address for seamless integration into your current workflows.
Personalization and Productivity Tools
- Create and train multiple assistant profiles to handle different tasks or tones.
- Use global keyboard shortcuts to summon the assistant and speed up repetitive workflows.
- Adjust behavior, prompts, and settings to match your preferred style and requirements.
Open Source Development and Roadmap
Jan is actively developed with community contributions encouraged. The team publishes a public roadmap and maintains a Git repository where you can follow progress, file issues, or submit enhancements. Ongoing releases will expand functionality and improve user experience over time.
Quick Start Checklist
- Clone or download the project from its public repository.
- Review the public roadmap and open issues to see upcoming features.
- Launch the local API server and verify it’s accessible at localhost:1337.
- Configure assistants, set hotkeys, and import or export any existing data as needed.
Suggested Alternatives
- Lifelike — a cloud-based conversational option with an emphasis on realism.
- Free/open tools — other community projects that prioritize no-cost access and privacy-focused setups.
Technical
- Windows
- Mac
- Web App
- Free