Design Principles

Nebo exists because we believe AI should work for everyone, not just the technically inclined. These principles guide every decision we make.

Open Source, Apache 2.0

Nebo is licensed under the Apache License 2.0. This means:

• Use it however you want. Commercial, personal, educational — no restrictions.
• Modify it freely. Fork it, extend it, embed it in your product.
• No vendor lock-in. Your extensions, your data, your choice of AI provider.
• Community-driven. Contributions are welcome. The best ideas come from real usage.

We chose Apache 2.0 specifically because it's the most permissive license that still protects contributors. Build on Nebo without worrying about license compatibility.

Local First

Your AI assistant should live on your computer, not on someone else's server.

• Your data stays with you. Conversations, memories, files — all stored locally.
• No account required. Nebo works out of the box. NeboLoop is optional.
• Offline capable. With Ollama, Nebo runs entirely offline.
• Fast. No network round-trips for tool execution, memory recall, or file access.

When Nebo needs to think, it sends your message to your chosen AI provider. The response comes back to you. No middleman stores your history or trains on your ideas.

No Code Required

The best extension system is one that doesn't require programming.

Skills are markdown files. Agents are markdown files. If you can write clear instructions for a person, you can extend Nebo. This isn't a design choice — it's a feature. Natural language instructions are more flexible, more maintainable, and more accessible than code.

For developers who want deeper integration, MCP servers provide full programmatic access. But the 90% case — teaching Nebo a new behavior — should never require opening an IDE.

Composable Extensions

Small pieces, loosely joined.

• A Skill teaches one thing well.
• An Agent bundles skills into a persona.
• MCP servers connect external systems.

Each layer builds on the previous one. You can install a single skill, a complete agent, or wire up a custom MCP server. Mix and match based on what you need.

Fair Marketplace

Creators keep 75% of revenue. No hidden fees, no tiered pricing for publishers, no pay-to-rank. Build something useful, set your price, and earn from it.

The marketplace is curated — every submission is reviewed for quality and security. But the bar is "does this help someone?" not "does this meet enterprise requirements?"