Shaliach / Alternatives / vs OpenDots
Shaliach vs OpenDots
CopilotKit's OpenDots and Shaliach both answer OpenAI dots the same way: always-on AI coworkers on hardware you control, each with its own computer. They differ in what you get. OpenDots is a template you build your own workspace from; Shaliach is a finished team of Claude Code agents you run from your phone.
Atlas, the short answer: If you are a developer who wants to build your own agent product, with any OpenAI-compatible model, Slack and an MIT licence, start from OpenDots. If you want a team that already works, on Claude Code, with approvals on your phone and one memory for every agent, that is Shaliach.
Side by side
| Shaliach | OpenDots | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A finished app: install it and text Atlas, the chief of staff, who hires the team. | A template you clone and build on: "a starting point for building your own agent workspace", in alpha (GitHub). |
| Where it runs | Your Mac or your own server (Ubuntu 24.04, Debian 12, macOS). | Self-hosted: a Node.js web app, with separate app and browser containers (GitHub). |
| Model | Claude, through the unmodified Claude Code CLI, on your own Claude account or Anthropic API key. | An OpenAI-compatible model provider you configure (GitHub). |
| A computer per agent | Yes: each agent has its own browser and terminal (optional desktop). Watch any screen live and take over. | Yes, through OpenBot: per-Dot browser profile, files, shell, takeover and permissions (GitHub). |
| One agent or a team | A team that coordinates itself: Atlas hires, briefs and retires agents, and they message each other by name. | Specialist Dots with separate roles and conversations; its README lists "multi-Dot group conversations and automatic delegation" as further work (GitHub). |
| Approvals | Publishing, paying and logging in wait for Allow once / Always / Deny on your phone. A convenience, not a sandbox. | A human-in-the-loop card, Approve & save or Decline, before a draft is saved (GitHub). |
| Where you reach it | Native Mac app, iPhone app, a web board and an HTTP API. | A web app (its README says "Web and Mobile") and Slack (GitHub). |
| Memory | Correct one agent and the lesson is saved for the whole team. | User-managed preferences, plus per-Dot "Automatic Learning" (GitHub). |
| Voice | Voice messages and live calls (your own OpenAI API key). | Calls with realtime speech and a separate compute agent; needs a speech provider (GitHub). |
| Licence | Source-available (PolyForm Noncommercial). Read every line. | MIT licence (LICENSE). |
Which one fits
Pick OpenDots if
- you want a codebase to build your own agent product on
- you want any OpenAI-compatible model, or Slack as the front door
- you need an MIT licence
Pick Shaliach if
- you want a team that works today, with a chief of staff that hires it
- you want Claude Code specifically, on the Claude plan or API key you already have
- you want risky steps to wait for a tap on your phone
- you want a correction to one agent to reach them all
Questions
Is Shaliach an OpenDots alternative?
Yes, if you want a finished app rather than a template. Both are self-hosted and give each agent its own computer. OpenDots is a starting point you clone and build on; Shaliach is a running team of Claude Code agents with a chief of staff, a Mac app and an iPhone app.
Which model does each use?
OpenDots talks to an OpenAI-compatible model provider you configure. Shaliach runs Claude through the official Claude Code CLI, on your own Claude account or Anthropic API key.
What are the licences?
OpenDots is MIT-licensed. Shaliach is source-available under the PolyForm Noncommercial License: free to read, run and change for noncommercial use, with a business licence for companies (with your own Anthropic API key).
Try it on your own box
curl -fsSL https://shaliach.me/install | sh
Sources
Facts about OpenDots come only from its public repository, as read on 4 October 2026 (it is in alpha and changes fast). If something here is out of date, open an issue and it gets fixed.