Lexicon
The free open source Grammarly alternative offline writing assistant assist with grammar, rewriting & tone entirely on your machine.
What is it?
What it is
A local-first, distraction-free rich-text editor featuring inline proofreading, local AI writing tools, and a review panel.
Why it exists
To provide a calm, private, and useful writing workspace that allows users to proofread, rewrite, and format work without requiring accounts, cloud services, or internet connectivity.
Who should use it
Writers, editors, students, and professionals who want a distraction‑free, privacy‑focused writing assistant that runs entirely on their local machine.
Who should avoid it
Users who rely on cloud‑based AI services, need Linux installers, or prefer a fully managed SaaS solution without local setup.
How it works
A quick walkthrough in plain English
How Lexicon works in 4 steps
Step 1 of 4
Something triggers the flow
A schedule, webhook, or manual click tells Lexicon to start.
Features
Advantages
- Complete privacy with all data stored locally
- Offline functionality without internet requirement
- Open-source and MIT-licensed
- Customizable AI models (Light/Standard options)
- Supports multiple operating systems (Windows, macOS)
- No account or server dependency
- Regular updates with model/data persistence
- Rich text editing with advanced formatting options
Disadvantages
- No Linux installer available yet
- Large AI models require significant storage (1.4 GB)
- Initial model download needed before first use
- macOS builds require manual opening due to signing
- Limited export formats compared to cloud tools
- AI performance depends on local hardware
- Development setup requires technical knowledge
Installation
FAQ
Which operating systems does Lexicon support?
Lexicon supports Windows (x64, ARM64, x86) and macOS (Apple Silicon/arm64 and Intel/x64). Linux installers are not yet available.
What do I need to do on first launch?
Open Lexicon, choose to download a local AI model (Light or Standard), wait for the download to complete, and note that AI tools can use an existing Ollama server if available.
How does Lexicon handle updates?
Lexicon checks for new releases when it starts and installs updates automatically while preserving downloaded models and app data.
Is my data kept private?
Yes. Lexicon is local-first: all writing, models, and data stay on your device. No servers, accounts, or cloud services are involved.
What AI tools are available?
Lexicon offers rewrite, tone adjustments (e.g., Professional, Academic), summaries, key points, and transforms. It uses a bundled local model or an optional Ollama server.
How can I run Lexicon from source?
Clone the repo, install Python 3, Node.js, and Java. Run `./start.sh` (macOS/Linux) or `.\start.bat` (Windows) to set up the backend and frontend.
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