If you’re like me, someone who’s spent years mastering Linux, building private apps, running LLMs locally, and caring deeply about privacy-first tools, open-source ethics, and mental well-being through technology, then you’ve probably heard about Dyad.
And honestly? I was excited. Not just because it’s free, local, and open-source, but because it feels like a breath of fresh air in a world where most AI app builders are locked into cloud silos, vendor dependency, and data harvesting.
Starting with Dyad!
Dyad is a free, local, open-source AI app builder that runs on your machine, supports any AI model (including local ones), and keeps your code private. It’s ideal for rapid prototyping, learning, and privacy-focused development, but not yet ready for complex, large-scale production apps, so let’s dive in and explain why!
I downloaded Dyad for macOS (Apple Silicon), fired it up, and started building my next little project, a simple web app to help track daily habits for ADHD-friendly routines. And while I loved the experience… I also hit walls. Big ones.
Let me tell you exactly what I found, not just the shiny highlights, but the messy realities that matter if you’re serious about using this tool for real work.
Because at the end of the day, you deserve transparency. You deserve honesty. And you deserve tools that don’t pretend to be ready when they’re not.
Let’s break it down, the good, the bad, the ugly, and answer the question everyone’s asking:
Is Dyad ready to replace Cursor, Replit, or even VS Code + AI agents for complex projects?
Short answer: No.
But, and this is huge, it might be soon.
What Makes Dyad So Exciting? (The Good)
Let’s start with why so many people, including me, are genuinely inspired by Dyad.
1. It Runs Locally, No Cloud, No Lock-In
This isn’t just a feature. It’s a philosophy.
You don’t need an account. You don’t need to sign up. You don’t need to trust a company with your code or your ideas.
💬 “Your code stays on your machine.”
That line from the website? It’s not marketing fluff. It’s real.
For someone like me, a medical doctor, Linux enthusiast, and open-source advocate who runs large language models locally and cares deeply about data privacy, HIPAA/ GDPR compliance, and emotional safety in digital tools, this is everything.
Think about it:
- Your sensitive mental health data? Never leaves your device.
- Your AI prompts? Not sent to OpenAI or Anthropic.
- Your code? Fully yours, forever.
That kind of digital sovereignty is rare. And Dyad delivers it beautifully.
2. Open Source & Free Forever
Dyad is free, open-source, and built on the principle that you should own your tools, not rent them.
This aligns perfectly with my mission at medevel.com, where I build privacy-focused apps for healthcare, mental wellness, and open-source innovation.
When I see a tool that doesn’t force subscriptions, doesn’t hide its source, and invites contributions, I get excited. I’ve already shared Dyad with friends, family, and even some of my horse therapy patients, because I believe in tools that empower, not exploit.
3. Works With Any AI Model (Including Local Ones)
Want to use GPT-5, Claude Sonnet 4.5, Gemini 2.5 Pro, or even Llama 3 via Ollama?
✅ Dyad lets you plug in any model, no restrictions.
That means:
- You can run powerful AI locally → zero risk of data leaks
- You can switch between models easily → test what works best
- You’re not tied to one API key or one provider
This is critical for anyone building AI tools for mental health apps, habit tracking systems, or therapeutic VR experiences, especially when dealing with sensitive user data.
🔐 Privacy. Freedom. Control.
Dyad gives you all three, something most AI builders still ignore.
4. Real-Time Preview, Instant Feedback, Smooth UX
Running locally = instant response. Edit a button → see it change instantly. Undo a step → done in a second.
There’s no lag. No waiting. No frustrating “why isn’t this working?” cycles. This fluidity makes Dyad feel like a true co-pilot, not just a code generator.
And let’s talk about the “Ask” prompt module, one of the most powerful features.
It’s not just “generate code.” It’s context-aware reasoning.
You can ask:
“How do I make this form validate input in real time?”
“Can I add dark mode with a toggle?”
“What’s the best way to store user preferences locally?”
And Dyad responds, not with generic boilerplate, but with thoughtful, relevant suggestions.
It’s like having a senior developer in your pocket — and you didn’t have to pay for it.
5. Built for Creativity, Not Just Coding
Whether you’re a designer, a non-developer, or a medical professional like me who codes for fun and purpose — Dyad lowers the barrier to entry.
I’ve seen users build full landing pages, portfolios, and even games in minutes.
And that’s powerful.
Because every person deserves the chance to create, especially those struggling with ADHD, anxiety, or depression.
Tools like Dyad aren’t just about speed, they’re about hope, motivation, and self-efficacy.
That’s why I’m passionate about them, not just as tech, but as emotional support tools.
Other cool features:
- Built-in preview for your work
- Configuration and Environment Manager
The Hard Truth: Where Dyad Falls Short, Really Bad
Yes, Dyad is amazing, cool, creative-oriented, But it’s not ready for serious production work yet, especially if you’re building complex apps, managing large codebases, or deploying to real users.
Here’s why.
1. Import or Copying Project Files Instead of Working in Your Project Directory
When you choose to import an existing project to Dyad, it copy the project folder to its own directory, which is a good thing as my original project is intact, however, it is bad really bad when it can not run the project.
Several Next.js projects failed to run, like Dyad is using other Node.js or even other libraries, which made try the original projects and they work.
2. Dozens of Internal Node.js Modules, Hidden Dependencies
Dyad bundles many Node.js modules internally, some exposed, others hidden.
And fixing it? Requires deep architectural changes — not just a patch.
3. Node.js Module Errors Are Common & Hard to Diagnose
Even simple operations sometimes fail without clear error messages.
You’ll see things like:
“Module not found”
“Cannot access property ‘x’ of undefined”
“Internal error — please restart”
And since Dyad runs in a custom runtime, debugging requires reverse-engineering the app itself.
4. Dozens of Unusal Errors
Dyad throws strange, inconsistent errors, like “module not found” or “undefined property”, even when code works elsewhere. These often happen with basic imports (like fs, dotenv) and lack clear explanations. The root cause is usually hidden internal conflicts, making debugging nearly impossible.
5. No Terminal or Easy install for NPM Packages within The prompt
There’s no built-in terminal in Dyad. You can’t run npm install or manage packages directly.
To add a library, you must manually download it, copy files, or use an external terminal, breaking the smooth, all-in-one experience. This cripples real development workflows.
Can You Actually Use Dyad for Serious Work?
Let’s cut through the hype.
| Use Case | Is Dyad Ready? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Quick landing page / portfolio | Yes — great for beginners | |
| ✅ Simple web app (e.g., todo list) | Maybe — works for small scope | |
| ❌ Complex full-stack app (auth, DB, API) | No — unstable, poor state management | |
| ❌ Large codebase (>10k lines) | Not even close — memory leaks, slow performance | |
| ❌ Production deployment | Not recommended — missing build pipeline, testing tools | |
| ✅ Rapid prototyping, learning, experimentation | ✅ YES — perfect |
Bottom Line:
If you’re building a single-page app, a personal portfolio, or a demo for a pitch, Dyad is fantastic.But if you’re trying to ship a real product, especially one involving authentication, databases, state management, or collaboration, you’ll hit walls faster than you can debug them.
So… Should You Use Dyad?
Yes, but with clear expectations.
Use Dyad For:
- Rapid prototyping of AI-powered tools
- Learning how AI can assist in coding
- Building privacy-first apps for mental health, habit formation, or wellness
- Teaching others about open-source, local AI, and ethical tech
- Creating simple websites, dashboards, or landing pages
Don’t Use Dyad For:
- Large-scale applications
- Production-grade deployments
- Complex backend logic
- Team collaboration (unless you’re okay with syncing manually)
- Anything involving sensitive user data (yet)
Final Thoughts: A Tool With Potential, But Needs Love
Look, I’m not here to trash Dyad. I’m here to honor its vision, and push it forward. Will Chen and the team are doing something truly special. They’re building a future where you control your code, your AI, and your data, not some corporation.
And that future? It matters. So yes, Dyad has problems. Some are hard to fix. But they’re not insurmountable.
With more community feedback, better project import systems, and deeper integration with Git, Docker, and CI/CD, Dyad could become the definitive local AI app builder.
Until then, treat it like a creative playground, not a production engine.
Use it to spark ideas. Test concepts. Build prototypes. And share your journey.
Because tools like Dyad remind us:
The future of software shouldn’t be controlled by big companies. It should be built by builders like you.
And that’s worth building for.
Written with heart, by Hamza, developer, medical doctor, Linux lover, horse rider, and believer in compassionate innovation.
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Keep building. Keep questioning. Keep owning your tools.
You’ve got this.