Onlook: A Visual Editing Power Tool for React Developers

What is Onlook?

Onlook is an open-source, local-first visual editor designed specifically for React applications. It enables developers and designers to visually edit the UI of React apps directly in the browser, with real-time code synchronization. Onlook dramatically improves development efficiency and fosters seamless team collaboration.

Key Features

Live Visual Editing: Drag, drop, and tweak components in the browser and see the changes in real time.
Two-Way Binding: Uses data-oid attributes to bind UI components to code, ensuring seamless code sync.
AI Assistant: Includes a built-in AI chat assistant that allows you to modify styles and components with natural language prompts.
Runs Locally: As a desktop-first app, it keeps your work private and secure.
Cross-Platform Support: Works on both macOS (Apple Silicon) and Windows environments.
Collaborative Editing: Real-time multiplayer editing with built-in chat makes collaboration smooth and intuitive.

Technical Foundation

Built with Electron: Delivers a native desktop experience using Electron.
React & Tailwind CSS Integration: Seamlessly integrates with existing React projects and supports popular styling libraries like Tailwind CSS.
AI-Powered Suggestions: Connects to AI models via Supabase Functions to generate intelligent design and code suggestions.
Local-First Design: Prioritizes local operation for optimal data security and responsiveness.

Project Links

GitHub Repository: https://github.com/onlook-dev/onlook
Official Website: https://onlook.dev

Use Cases

Front-End Development: Speed up UI development and boost productivity with real-time feedback.
Designer-Developer Collaboration: Let designers directly participate in component editing, minimizing back-and-forth handoffs.
Education & Training: Serve as a teaching tool for understanding component structure and styling in React.
Rapid Prototyping: Quickly build and test interface ideas without writing boilerplate code.