PhotoCraft Guide

Install

PhotoCraft download and first run

No store listing yet. Open the browser build with no install, or install Rust and build the native editor.

Open the web appSee what it can do

What you need

Building the base app takes the stable Rust toolchain and Git; nothing else is required on macOS, Windows or Linux.

  • Rust 1.90 or newer, installed with rustup.
  • Git, to clone the official repository.
  • A GPU driver with Metal, Vulkan or DirectX 12 for the accelerated canvas.

Start in the browser, with nothing to install

The official web app runs the same Rust engine compiled to WebAssembly, so the fastest first look costs no download and no account. It is the lowest-friction way to see how the tools feel.

Want the native editor instead? The setup guide walks through a first session from clone to a saved file.

Official web app

https://app.getartcraft.com

Hosted by the project. This site is an independent guide and is not affiliated with it.

Build it from source in three steps

The same commands work on macOS, Windows, Linux and FreeBSD.

  1. 01

    Install the Rust toolchain

    Install Rust 1.90 or newer with rustup, then open a terminal. Building the base app needs the toolchain and nothing else.

  2. 02

    Clone the repository and run the app

    Clone the official repository, enter the folder and start the desktop app with Cargo. The path after the double dash is optional; pass a PSD to open it on launch.

    git clone https://github.com/storytold/photocraft
cd photocraft
cargo run --release -p photocraft -- image.psd
  3. 03

    Run the test suite

    Build and run every workspace test to confirm the checkout is healthy before you rely on it.

    cargo test --workspace

Per-platform notes

The build command is identical everywhere; the packaging and the extras differ.

A native app for Apple silicon and Intel Macs, plus a matching command-line tool.

  • A single disk image covers both Apple silicon and Intel.
  • The desktop app and the CLI are signed and notarized by Apple.
  • The WebAssembly build also runs in Safari and other browsers.
Build from source with the Cargo command above, or install the signed disk image.

Set your expectations

This is early-alpha software

PhotoCraft covers a lot of Photoshop's surface, but it is not yet a drop-in replacement for daily professional work. Expect rough edges, and expect to report them.

  • AI and generative features are not there yet.
  • Roughly twenty tools from the Photoshop toolbox are still missing.
  • Typography and some professional workflows need more depth.
  • Photoshop plug-ins are not compatible.

PhotoCraft download FAQ

Take it one step further

Follow the full walkthrough for a first editing session, or go straight to the source and read the code.

Read the full walkthroughBrowse the repository