Launch HN: Omnara (YC S25) – Run Claude Code and Codex from anywhere
Omnara, a YC S25 startup, launched a web and mobile IDE for Claude Code and Codex, enabling developers to run AI coding agents from anywhere, even away from their desk. It tackles the challenge of agent sessions stalling by offering seamless cross-device syncing, local execution, and a surprisingly useful voice agent. The Hacker News community debates its value proposition against self-hosting and existing open-source alternatives, questioning the $20/month price point and discussing data privacy implications.
The Lowdown
Omnara (YC S25) has introduced a web and mobile agentic IDE designed to facilitate interaction with Claude Code and Codex from any location. The founders built Omnara after encountering the problem of coding agent sessions pausing when they stepped away from their desks, highlighting a need for continuous interaction.
- Omnara allows users to run Claude Code and Codex sessions on their own machines (or remote VMs), exposing these sessions via web and mobile interfaces.
- It features a lightweight, headless daemon that makes outbound WebSocket connections, eliminating the need for exposed ports, SSH, or tunneling.
- The service offers optional cloud syncing of conversation state and code, using Git commits, to ensure sessions can resume in a hosted remote sandbox if the local machine goes offline.
- A voice agent for hands-free interaction was added, initially thought to be a gimmick, but found to be highly effective for iterative planning and more natural communication with agents.
- Omnara operates on a freemium model: 10 free sessions per month, then $20/month for unlimited use. Users pay for their own Claude or Codex tokens when running agents in their own environment.
By providing a persistent, cross-device experience for AI coding agents, Omnara aims to empower developers to maintain productivity and interaction flexibility, blurring the lines between desktop and mobile development.
The Gossip
DIY Dilemmas and Dollar Debates
Many commenters question Omnara's commercial viability, arguing that developers can replicate its core functionality by 'hacking together' solutions using tools like Tailscale, tmux, or open-source projects such as Happy Code, OpenCode, and OpenChamber. The $20/month subscription fee draws skepticism, with users weighing the convenience against the cost of self-hosting, especially when already paying for Claude/Codex tokens. Proponents argue Omnara offers a polished, hassle-free experience superior to DIY setups.
Privacy Ponderings and Encryption Enigmas
A significant concern among users is data privacy, specifically whether Omnara stores sensitive code and conversation data in plaintext. The founders clarify that while data is encrypted in transit and at rest, full end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is not yet implemented. They explain that features like cloud syncing, notifications, and voice agents currently require plaintext access, but E2EE is on the roadmap. This contrasts with some alternatives like Happy, which claims to offer E2EE.
Feature Face-Offs and Functional Finesses
Commenters actively compare Omnara to a variety of existing solutions, including Claude's native iOS app, various open-source projects (Happy Code, OpenCode, OpenChamber), and personal 'hacks.' They delve into specific features, questioning Omnara's differentiation. The founders highlight Omnara's managed infrastructure, improved reliability and latency, rich web interface, worktrees, sandboxing, advanced Git management, preview URLs, and the innovative voice agent as key advantages over competitors.