A space to think.

Quanta is an open-source whiteboard for maths, physics and code. Sketch a thought, solve an equation, run the code: handwriting, typeset maths, live plots and Python share one infinite canvas, on a server you own.

Install Quanta Download release
  • Open source · MIT
  • Runs on your machine
  • Boards are plain JSON
Maths
Plot
a1.6
Python
import numpy as np
x = np.linspace(0, 1, 1000)
np.trapz(x**2, x)
Press Runpreview · the real app runs Python for real
hold still · it snaps

Draw anywhere on this panel · drag the cards · edit the maths

What's inside

From first scribble to working solution

Your notebook, whiteboard and scratchpad share the same space, so an idea never has to change tools to keep going.

Handwriting that behaves

Pressure-aware pen, brush and marker, a precise eraser, palm rejection, and shape snapping when you hold still.

wobble → circle

Maths & plots

Cards evaluate and typeset every line, then plot it with sliders.

f(x) = x^2
integrate(f, 0, 1)
= 0.3333

Runnable code

JavaScript in a worker. Python on the host, or in the browser through Pyodide.

numpysympymatplotlib

Live collaboration

Shared folders with revocable invitation links, live cursors and ink, and offline edits that merge on reconnect.

Notebooks & PDFs

A4 pages in seven paper styles, PDF import you can write on, search, flashcards and printing.

AI that edits the board

Ask Claude, Ollama, OpenRouter, LM Studio or Codex to read and change cards. Every provider uses the same validated tools.

OllamaAnthropicOpenRouterLM StudioClaude CodeCodex

MCP, built in

Point any MCP client at /mcp to list, read and edit boards. Changes appear live in open tabs, and an agent can never do more than a person at the canvas.

Streamable HTTPWebMCP tools

Get started

Up and running in a minute

Needs Node.js 22 or newer. Downloads are checked against a published SHA-256 before anything is installed.

curl -fsSL https://github.com/real-kijmoshi/quanta/releases/latest/download/install.sh | sh

Installs to ~/.quanta and links quanta into ~/.local/bin. Read the script first: install.sh.

Then just run quanta: it starts in the background, opens your browser, and shows a live dashboard in the terminal. Update any time with quanta update; your boards are never touched.

Command line

The quanta command

One entry point for running, sharing and looking after your workspace.

quantaStart in the background and open the dashboard: links, mode switching, logs, updates
quanta --tunnelShare over the internet; cloudflared is fetched automatically
quanta --shareLet other devices on your network join (needs a folder invitation)
quanta config mode tunnelMake the tunnel the default for plain quanta
quanta status · stop · logsSee the links, stop it, or read its log
quanta updateInstall the latest release; your boards are kept
quanta backupSave a verified copy of your boards
quanta doctorCheck Node.js, data folder and optional tools
quanta --port 8080 --data ~/boardsChoose the port and where boards are stored

Your boards are plain JSON in ~/.quanta/data, so updating never touches them.

Always on

Run it for a team

On a Debian or Ubuntu server, the setup wizard installs Docker if needed and starts your workspace with HTTPS and an owner account. No Node.js installation or source checkout needed.

First, point your domain’s DNS A record at the server and allow inbound TCP ports 80 and 443. Then run this command in a terminal on the server:

curl -fsSL https://github.com/real-kijmoshi/quanta/releases/latest/download/setup-server.sh | bash

Already have the Quanta command installed on the server? Run quanta setup instead. Enter your domain and owner email, then confirm the deployment plan.

Open the workspace URL printed by the wizard and sign in with the temporary password. Change it in Workspace settings, then invite teammates to a folder.

For backups, updates and password recovery, see the self-hosting guide.

Questions

Good to know

Do I need an account or internet?

No. Local mode has no accounts and works offline. Only cloud AI providers, the Cloudflare tunnel and on-demand Pyodide packages need a connection.

Where are my boards stored?

As plain JSON in ~/.quanta/data. Run quanta backup for a verified copy.

Is it safe to run other people's code?

Guests run Python in their own browser via Pyodide, and JavaScript in a browser worker. Host Python, AI and MCP are owner-only.

Does it work on an iPad?

Yes. Pressure, barrel-button erase and palm rejection work where the browser exposes them, and the optional Notes beta is built for PC and iPad.

Give your ideas room.

Free, open source and yours to keep. Install it, open a board, and start thinking.

Install Quanta View on GitHub