What it does
Maka is an agent harness: the software that lets an AI model carry out tasks using tools. Every message, tool use and permission decision is saved to a log, and the app is built from that log.
Its makers publish test results comparing it with other harnesses on the same model. Sessions, settings and records stay on your machine, and you bring the AI model: a cloud API, a local model or a gateway.
It has a desktop app, a text-based terminal app and a command-line tool. It is an "incubating" Apache project, meaning it is still early in joining the Apache Software Foundation.
Who it's for
Developers and researchers who want a transparent, auditable AI agent they run themselves.
Can I use it without coding?
With some setup. You download it from the project's site or build it from source, then connect a model. New to this? Start here.
Can I run it?
- Cost
- Free, but needs an AI accountThe software is free, but it uses an online AI service (like OpenAI or Anthropic), which usually charges for use.
- Computer
- An ordinary computer is fine
- Privacy
- Your choice: run it on your device or use an online service
- API key
- Not needed
Try it
- Get Maka from the project's downloads page, or build it from source.
- On first launch, open Settings, then Models, and add a cloud API, local model or account connection.
- Test the connection, choose a default model and start a task.
Using Claude Code, Cursor or another AI coding assistant? Paste the prompt and it will walk you through the setup.New to this?
Before you install
- Only download from the official GitHub page. Copies with similar names exist for many popular projects.
- License (Apache-2.0): Permissive: free to use, change and share, including for business.
- More on staying safe