# Paperclip > Source: > Published: 2026-08-21 10:59:00+00:00 Open Source Alternative to: Last 30 days Last commit Repository age Version License Self-hosted Repository Paperclip treats your AI agents like employees, not tools. You act as the board of directors: you approve hires, review strategy, set budgets, and can pause or reassign any agent at any time. The mental model isn't "I'm prompting an AI" – it's "I'm running a company." It's model-agnostic by design. Agents can be Claude, Codex, Gemini, [OpenClaw](/openclaw), Cursor, or anything that can receive a heartbeat signal. Python scripts, shell commands, HTTP webhooks – if it can be triggered, it can be hired. You're not locked into any provider. Key capabilities: `SKILL.md` context file.Paperclip is MIT-licensed and self-hosted. A single deployment can run multiple separate companies with full data isolation, useful for parallel ventures or templating org configs. It runs locally with an embedded database or connects to your own Postgres instance. No Paperclip account required. For teams already using [AI coding agents](/categories/developer-tools/ai-assisted-coding/ai-coding-agents) like [Cline](/cline) or similar tools, Paperclip sits above them – coordinating who has work checked out, maintaining sessions, tracking costs, and enforcing governance across the whole operation. Last 30 days Last commit Repository age Version License Self-hosted Repository Every Sunday we deconstruct one proprietary app and pick the best open source alternatives worth switching to. Stars Last commit License Stars Last commit License Stars Last commit License Stars Last commit License Open Source Alternative to: Stars Stars Stars Stars Stars Last commit License Open Source Alternative to: Last commit License Open Source Alternative to: Last commit License Open Source Alternative to: Last commit License Open Source Alternative to: Last commit License Open Source Alternative to: