The intersection of retro aesthetics and modern AI agent orchestration has a new player. More Space, a desktop application released by developer zohayrslileh, introduces a persistent chalkboard interface for terminal-based agents like Claude Code and Codex. Rather than leaving agent actions hidden within scrolling text logs, the app provides a visual workspace where agents can draw diagrams, write plans, and interact with a customizable avatar. The project, which hit Hacker News on October 4, 2026, emphasizes a zero-install philosophy for the user's system, keeping all data local and separate from the project directory.

Visualizing the Agent's Mind

The core utility of More Space is its command-line interface that bridges the terminal and the GUI. Agents running inside the app's terminal can execute a specific command to manipulate the chalkboard. They can write text, create flow diagrams, pin images, and draw links between concepts. This allows developers to see the agent's reasoning process in real-time. If an agent needs clarification, it can post a question directly on the board, offering multiple-choice options or text inputs that wait for the user's click. The system supports complex interactions, such as framing specific parts of the board for the user's attention, effectively turning the terminal output into a curated visual presentation.

Personality and Presence

Beyond utility, More Space injects personality into the coding workflow. The app features a cast of avatars, including the default 'Mochi' (a plump pixel spirit), as well as Chalky, Penguin, Robot, and others. These characters react to the agent's state: they look busy when the terminal is printing, signal 'Done' when work finishes, and react to file changes detected by Git. The avatars have distinct moods and voices, with audio cues like chalk-on-slate sounds for writing and bells for notifications. This gamification element aims to make the often-abstract process of AI-assisted coding more tangible and engaging for the developer.

Technical Architecture and Privacy

Technically, More Space is an Electron-based application that runs a local socket server. The terminal commands communicate exclusively with the app window, ensuring no system-wide installations are required. Data persistence is handled carefully: boards are stored per project folder in the app's own data directory (e.g., ~/Library/Application Support/more-space/boards/ on macOS), never polluting the user's codebase. The only external network request occurs if an agent pins an image from a URL, which the app then downloads locally. The project is open-source under the MIT license, built with Bun, and supports macOS, Windows, and Linux, requiring Git for full feature integration.

Key Takeaways

  • More Space provides a visual chalkboard interface for terminal agents like Claude Code and Codex.
  • Agents can draw diagrams, write plans, and ask interactive questions directly on the board.
  • The app features customizable avatars with distinct moods and audio feedback.
  • All data is stored locally in the app's data folder, keeping project directories clean.
  • The project is open-source (MIT) and built with Electron and Bun.

The Bottom Line

More Space is a fascinating experiment in agent UX, trading raw efficiency for visibility and personality. It solves the 'black box' problem of AI coding agents by making their thought process spatial and interactive, though its reliance on Electron and niche visual gimmicks may limit its appeal to those who prefer lean, text-only workflows.