Brandon Thomas, known for producing AI-generated free versions of Adobe's Creative Cloud tools, has now released open-source clones of Microsoft Office applications. The new apps—WordCraft, GridCraft, and DeckCraft—aim to challenge Microsoft Office’s dominance by providing similar functionality with a fresh codebase and branding.
- AI-powered Microsoft Office clones launched as open source
- Developer dismisses existing open-source alternatives like LibreOffice
- Industry divided on impact and sustainability of such projects
What happened
Brandon Thomas, a software engineer previously praised for creating free AI-based clones of Adobe Creative Cloud applications, has now developed and publicly released open-source versions of Microsoft Office's core programs. These include WordCraft, GridCraft, and DeckCraft, which function as counterparts to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint respectively. These apps resemble Microsoft’s offerings in look and feel but carry new branding and an open development ethos.
Thomas attributes much of the coding effort to the Anthropic AI Claude, demonstrating how AI tools are increasingly central to modern software creation. While these new tools are less feature-complete compared to his Adobe clones, they clearly indicate his intention to disrupt established productivity suites, offering free alternatives beyond conventional open-source projects.
Why it matters
This development signals a significant shift in how productivity software might be created and distributed in the future. By leveraging AI-assisted coding, individuals can potentially replicate or reinvent major commercial applications, lowering barriers for entry into markets dominated by giants like Microsoft. Additionally, this challenges existing open-source projects, which Thomas criticizes for being outdated and unreliable.
The initiative also sparks debate over the viability and ethics of replacing well-established, community-supported software such as LibreOffice and GIMP with AI-generated alternatives. Industry observers are divided between viewing these advancements as revolutionary progress or threats to traditional software development jobs and maintenance models.
What to watch next
Key points to monitor include the ongoing development and adoption rates of WordCraft, GridCraft, and DeckCraft, particularly how they manage bug fixes, updates, and user support relative to established suites. Observers will also watch Microsoft’s and the broader software industry’s reactions to these open-source AI-driven clones, especially from intellectual property and competitive perspectives.
Another critical area will be how the broader open-source community responds—whether they integrate AI tools in their development workflows or continue emphasizing traditional collaborative coding. The sustainability of projects launched by solo developers versus community-backed efforts will also shape future discourse around software innovation and accessibility.