metacells.dev // spreadsheet runtime for ai workflows
MetaCells
Open-source desktop app

AI workflows, files, and actions in cells.

MetaCells is an open-source spreadsheet runtime for AI workflows, automations, files, reports, connectors, and actions. Instead of hiding logic in prompts, scripts, and backend glue code, MetaCells keeps the whole workflow visible, editable, and composable inside the workbook.

Installer selection will adapt to your device when possible.

Core features

README-driven feature set

These are the core capabilities described in the project README, translated into landing-page copy for the desktop release.

Programmable cells

Cells are more than data

Each cell can hold prompts, formulas, reports, file inputs, integrations, or actions, so workflows remain visible and editable instead of being buried in code.

Native AI

AI is a first-class cell operation

Write prompts directly in the sheet, generate outputs, chain results into other cells, and keep AI reasoning connected to normal spreadsheet logic.

Files as context

Documents feed AI automatically

Upload policies, PDFs, and other files into cells, then let downstream prompts read that context without building a separate ingestion layer.

Reactive tables

Structured outputs spill into the grid

Comparison tables and generated lists expand naturally across the workbook, which makes analysis workflows easier to inspect and reuse.

Report views

Reports can write back into cells

Guided forms and internal tools can collect user input directly into the workbook, so the report UI and the underlying logic stay synchronized.

Actions and files

Cells can trigger work and export outputs

Generate downloadable files, send updates through connectors, and turn workbook outputs into actions without leaving the spreadsheet runtime.

What you can build

AI-native workflows without hidden glue code

MetaCells is positioned as a runtime for AI research notebooks, internal AI tools, automation workspaces, and spreadsheet-based agents.

AI research notebooks

Summarize PDFs, compare competitors, and generate structured insights in a workbook that stays inspectable.

Internal AI tools

Build document processing flows, AI reports, and guided analysis tools without standing up a separate app stack first.

Automation workspaces

Process email, react to Telegram updates, generate reports, and trigger actions from cells tied to the rest of the workflow.

Forkable platforms

Use the open-source runtime as a base for AI-native spreadsheets, automation workbooks, or custom internal systems.

Example workbook
Input:@idea:[Describe your startup idea]
'Summarize the idea in one sentence: @idea
>top 10 user complaints about products like @idea
#compare @idea with competitors;4;6
/tg Launch update is live
Desktop release

Install MetaCells locally

Download the build that matches your OS, or open the downloads page to choose between macOS, Windows, and Linux packages.

Open downloads