Native Shell

Native Shell is an open source runtime that loads signed and sandboxed TSX modules to render native user interfaces across multiple platforms.

Native Shell is an open source tool that loads signed and sandboxed TSX modules at run time, drawing them with each platform's own native UI components. It is designed for AI models to write interfaces and for hosts to safely run them on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, GPUI, and the web. The architecture uses Rust and QuickJS to maintain 120 FPS performance with low CPU usage, running JS off the main thread per frame. Modules arrive as signed packages, verify on device, and run within strict memory, call-time, and capability limits set by the host. It suits developers who want to embed dynamic, AI-generated or team-written UI modules inside existing apps or publish them as standalone applications.

Native Shell at a glance

Best for: Software engineer, Designer
Runs on: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, GPUI, Web
Pricing: Free
Released: October 2026
Category: AI coding tool
Website: nsh.dev

Key features

Load signed and sandboxed TSX modules at run time
Render with native platform UI components
Maintain 120 FPS performance with Rust
Enforce host-defined memory and capability limits
Verify modules using Ed25519 signatures
Support hot reload during development
Generate TypeScript declarations from Rust sources

Use it for

Display AI-generated user interfaces in response to prompts
Extend shipped mobile and desktop applications dynamically
Build standalone apps and static websites from TSX modules
Run type-checked and traced UI code in a secure sandbox

Alternatives to Native Shell

TS Rust — It runs type checking twice as fast as the TypeScript Go compiler.
Agent Native — Define capabilities once for the agent, UI, APIs, and integrations.
Neptune — It combines a fast native terminal engine with built-in management for AI coding agents.
Shell GPT — Executes generated shell commands and code snippets directly within the terminal.
Rig — It provides a unified API across 20+ providers with type-safe tools.
Nx — It caches every task result and only reruns what your code changes touched.
Pebrel — It brings local shells, remote hosts, and AI command-line tools into one workspace.
OpenSandbox — Provides isolated environments with multi-language SDKs and lifecycle management.
Lacy Shell — Routes natural language to AI and commands to the shell without switching.
Waku — Runs local coding agents in one fast native interface without Electron.
Rune — A native, high-performance editor with integrated Unix-based tool workflows.
Strata — Runs large AI models locally on consumer gaming PCs without server reliance.

All Native Shell alternatives