What is Liminal AI?+
Liminal AI is a free, local-first agent from Vireon Dynamics. Install the desktop app on Windows, macOS, or Linux, connect Slack, Xero, Gmail, and Microsoft 365, then triage email, chase invoices, build documents, and research the web. Approval gates run before anything is sent.
Is Liminal only for coding?+
No. Coding is one pillar. The same agent connects to Gmail, Outlook, Google and Microsoft calendars, Sheets and Excel, Slack, Teams, Linear, Notion, and Xero. It also generates PowerPoint, Word, and PDF locally. One request can read a thread, draft the reply, and book the meeting.
How do Slack, Xero, and Gmail connect?+
Open the Integrations hub in the Liminal desktop app and sign in with one-click OAuth. No API keys in your .env. Each connector registers as tools in the same agent loop so one prompt can chain across apps.
Is Liminal a self-hosted AI agent?+
Yes. The harness, tools, session logs, and memory run on your machine. Use cloud LLMs (OpenRouter, Claude, GPT) or fully local inference via Ollama. See the self-hosted guide on our site.
Is this the same as liminal.ai (the security company)?+
No. Liminal AI by Vireon Dynamics is a free work agent at vireondynamics.com/liminal. liminal.ai is a separate enterprise security vendor.
Is Liminal a free alternative to ChatGPT or Copilot?+
Yes. Liminal is a fair-source (FSL-1.1-MIT) local agent with 500+ tools and hosted connectors. The software is free and the source is readable. Bring your own API key, or use managed inference on Pro.
Which AI models does Liminal support?+
Any OpenAI-compatible model: OpenRouter, OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, or local models via Ollama or LM Studio. You pay the provider directly, typically a few cents per task.
Do I need my own API key?+
Not necessarily. Community Edition is bring-your-own-key: paste any OpenAI-compatible key and pay the provider. On Pro, Vireon-managed inference routes calls with included monthly credits, so you can run Liminal without a provider account.
Does Liminal run locally and keep my code private?+
Yes. Liminal runs on your hardware. Session logs are local files you own. Community Edition needs no Vireon cloud account.
How much does Liminal cost?+
The agent is free under FSL-1.1-MIT. You only pay your AI provider for tokens. Optional Pro and Team plans add cloud sync and team controls.
Is Liminal a good Cursor alternative?+
Yes, if you want a free self-hosted agent outside a single IDE, with any model and full tool visibility. Cursor is stronger for inline completions inside its editor. Many developers use both.
Can Liminal connect Slack and Xero together?+
Yes. One-click OAuth in the desktop Integrations hub registers both as tools in the same agent loop, so one prompt can read Slack, query Xero invoices, and draft a follow-up email you approve before send.
What is the best local AI coding agent in 2026?+
For a fair-source harness with 500+ tools, local session logs, OAuth connectors, and OpenRouter or Ollama, Liminal is built for that stack. See our compare hub for matchups vs Cursor, Copilot, and Claude Code.
Does Liminal work for non-developers?+
Yes. Small business owners use it for inbox triage, invoice follow-ups, and documents without writing code. Install the desktop app, connect Gmail and Xero, and use plain-English prompts.