Rho is an agent-native desktop workbench for R. It combines a persistent R workspace, project-aware code editing, scientific outputs, and an AI collaborator in one application. The user remains in control: editor, Console, and approved Agent actions all work with the same live Workspace R session.
- Project-aware R editing with a Monaco editor, multiple documents, a real file tree, source execution, and project/session restoration.
- One persistent Workspace R powered by Ark, shared by manual Console work, editor execution, and approved Agent actions.
- Scientific output surfaces for Console output, Environment objects, plots, Problems, and durable run history with provenance.
- Ask, Plan, and Act modes for explanation, planning, and reviewed actions against the current project and R session.
- Configurable LLMs with provider/model selection, tool-capability checks,
and credentials read from the effective user
.Renviron. - Reviewable file changes so Agent-proposed project edits can be inspected before they are applied.
- Resizable, persistent workspace layout for Files, editor, Agent, Environment, Console, Plots, and Problems.
- Local-first runtime with no Python, Jupyter Server, JupyterLab, or Electron dependency.
Rho is currently an unsigned Windows x64 development prototype. It requires:
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 with Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime;
- R 4.4 or later;
aisdkand a configured model only for Agent features.
Windows SmartScreen may display an unrecognized-publisher warning. See the Windows prototype guide for prerequisites and installation details.
- Launch Rho and open an R project directory.
- Open or create an
.Rfile, then run a selection, the current line, or the complete file in Workspace R. - Inspect results in Console, Environment, Plots, Problems, and Runs.
- Open Manage LLMs... to configure an Agent provider and model when AI assistance is needed.
- Use Ask or Plan for read-only help, or Act for actions that require review and approval.
Workspace R is authoritative for project execution and scientific objects. Agent R handles LLM orchestration, while the Rust broker owns transport, approvals, revisions, persistence, and process lifecycle. See the architecture documentation for details, or use the documentation index to browse design, implementation, project, bug-fix, and release documents.
Rho 0.2.x is under active development as a Windows daily-use prototype.
Windows packaging and the core project workflow are implemented; release
hardening, signing, and macOS/Linux packaging remain in progress.