Build a screen-sharing app with AI writing the code
Former CoScreen founders had AI models write much of Petal, a free screen-sharing app for coding together; they report under eight weeks, versus almost six years for CoScreen.
Done with OtherFable and Astra
What they did
A four-person team of former CoScreen founders built Petal, a free, open-source app for sharing screens while coding together. They say top AI models, named as Fable and Astra, wrote much of the code for live video and window sharing while the team directed the work. Petal runs on LiveKit's video service. Shared windows appear as real, movable windows with labeled pointers, and others can control the mouse and keyboard.
How it went
The authors report the first version took under eight weeks. They compare this with almost six years to build CoScreen.
Worth knowing
The post does not say how the work was split between the AI and the people. Teams with strict security rules can run it on their own video server with one setup file.
Try it yourself
Help me build a prototype desktop app for [operating system] that lets [number] people share individual application windows with each other in real time, using LiveKit for the video backend. Start by proposing an architecture: window capture, video transport, remote cursor display and remote keyboard and mouse input. List the libraries you plan to use and the main risks. Wait for my approval, then build it in small steps, running and testing each piece before moving on. Explain any code that touches system permissions or input control before adding it. Do not deploy or publish anything without asking me first.
Swap the highlighted [parts] for your own details.
Source: Hacker News · Jason Thomas (thedracle) · Oct 14, 2026
Written with AI assistance from the original post and checked against our editorial guidelines. Results are as reported by the source, not independently verified.
