Explore PhotoCraft, an open-source Rust image editor with layers and PSD support. Compare its editing features, desktop platforms, agent tools, and early-alpha limitations.
PhotoCraft is an open-source image editor written in Rust. Its GitHub project describes it as a clean-room reimplementation of Adobe Photoshop, with a native desktop app and a browser build that can be self-hosted. PhotoCraft is an image-editing project, not a hosted AI image generator. Its source repository links to the project website and publishes installers through GitHub Releases. What can you do with PhotoCraft? Edit layered images and PSD files PhotoCraft works with layers, groups, masks, adjustment layers, layer styles, selections, shapes, and editable type. The project documents support for PSD and PSB, plus formats such as TIFF, SVG, PNG, JPEG, WebP, and its own project format. Format support is not identical in every direction: some formats or features are read-only, and the project notes that saving a PSD does not make it byte-for-byte identical to the original. Apply non-destructive adjustments Adjustment layers let you stack and revise image changes, including curves, levels, vibrance, hue and saturation, and other color controls. Masks can limit an adjustment to part of an image. These are documented capabilities; the best way to assess your own files is to open a copy and check the result before relying on a round trip. Work with selections, brushes, text, and vectors The README lists selection tools, brushes, editable text layers, vector shapes, filters, transformations, and export controls. The feature set is broad, but the maintainers say some tools and deeper professional workflows remain incomplete. Do not assume every Photoshop shortcut, plug-in, or advanced typography workflow is compatible. Automate edits with CLI and MCP The project exposes editing commands through its desktop interface, command-line tool, JSON control channel, and MCP server. T
Platforms and installation
PhotoCraft publishes builds for macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and the web. The browser build is described as something users can self-host; the GitHub repository is the source for code, documentation, and release files. Check the current release notes and the listed checksums before installing a build, since supported packages and instructions can change.
PhotoCraft pricing and license
The repository lists MIT and Apache-2.0 licenses. Review the repository and any bundled asset licenses for the specific code or materials you plan to use. The project is distributed as open-source software, but this does not imply paid support or a hosted subscription plan. Check the official project page and release notes for current distribution details.
Early-alpha status and limitations
PhotoCraft labels itself early alpha and says it is not yet a replacement for Photoshop in daily professional work. The project identifies gaps in AI and generative features, roughly twenty missing tools, advanced typography and professional workflows, and plug-in compatibility. Performance and file behavior can vary with operating system, document size, and file features. Keep originals, test representative documents, and check the maintainers’ current parity notes before moving a production workflow.
How to evaluate PhotoCraft safely
Start with a duplicate of a representative PSD or image. Check the layers and effects you rely on, make a small edit, export or save a copy, and compare its appearance in your usual viewer. If you need automation, inspect the CLI and MCP documentation and test on non-critical files first. For unsupported features or a newly released build, consult the official README, issues, and release notes rather than assuming behavior from another editor. Frequently asked questions Is PhotoCraft an AI image generator? No. The repository describes an image editor; it also lists AI and generative features among current gaps. Can PhotoCraft open PSD files? The project documents PSD and PSB support, while noting that some round trips do not produce a byte-identical file. Is PhotoCraft ready to replace Photoshop? Its maintainers say it remains early alpha and is not yet a replacement for daily professional work. Where can I get PhotoCraft? Use the official GitHub repository for source code and current releases, and follow its link to the project download page.
What can you do with PhotoCraft?
01
Edit layered images and PSD files
PhotoCraft works with layers, groups, masks, adjustment layers, layer styles, selections, shapes, and editable type. The project documents support for PSD and PSB, plus formats such as TIFF, SVG, PNG, JPEG, WebP, and its own project format. Format support is not identical in every direction: some formats or features are read-only, and the project notes that saving a PSD does not make it byte-for-byte identical to the original.
02
Apply non-destructive adjustments
Adjustment layers let you stack and revise image changes, including curves, levels, vibrance, hue and saturation, and other color controls. Masks can limit an adjustment to part of an image. These are documented capabilities; the best way to assess your own files is to open a copy and check the result before relying on a round trip.
03
Work with selections, brushes, text, and vectors
The README lists selection tools, brushes, editable text layers, vector shapes, filters, transformations, and export controls. The feature set is broad, but the maintainers say some tools and deeper professional workflows remain incomplete. Do not assume every Photoshop shortcut, plug-in, or advanced typography workflow is compatible.
04
Automate edits with CLI and MCP
The project exposes editing commands through its desktop interface, command-line tool, JSON control channel, and MCP server. This can suit repeatable batch tasks or agent-driven image workflows. These interfaces are part of the open-source project and may require a local install or configuration; they are not a managed cloud editing service. Use cases PhotoCraft may be worth evaluating if you want to inspect an open-source layered-image editor, test PSD workflows, or automate local image edits. It is a poor fit when you need a hosted editor, built-in generative AI, or a proven replacement for a mature professional workflow. Platforms and installation PhotoCraft publishes builds for macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and the web. The browser build is described as something users can self-host; the GitHub repository is the source for code, documentation, and release files. Check the current release notes and the listed checksums before installing a build, since supported packages and instructions can change. PhotoCraft pricing and license The repository lists MIT and Apache-2.0 licenses. Review the repository and any bundled asset licenses for the specific code or materials you plan to use. The project is distributed as open-source software, but this does not imply paid support or a hosted subscription plan. Check the official project page and release notes for current distribution details. Early-alpha status and limitations PhotoCraft labels itself early alpha and says it is not yet a replacement for Photoshop in daily professional work. The project identifies gaps in AI and generative features, roughly twenty missing tools, advanced typography and professional workflows, and plug-in compatibility. Performance and file behavior can vary with operating system, document size, and file features. Keep originals, test representative documents, and check the maintainers’ current parity notes before moving a production workflow. How to evaluate PhotoCraft safely Start with a duplicate of a representative PSD or image. Check the layers and effects you rely on, make a small edit, export or save a copy, and compare its appearance in your usual viewer. If you need automation, inspect the CLI and MCP documentation and test on non-critical files first. For unsupported features or a newly released build, consult the official README, issues, and release notes rather than assuming behavior from another editor. Frequently asked questions Is PhotoCraft an AI image generator? No. The repository describes an image editor; it also lists AI and generative features among current gaps. Can PhotoCraft open PSD files? The project documents PSD and PSB support, while noting that some round trips do not produce a byte-identical file. Is PhotoCraft ready to replace Photoshop? Its maintainers say it remains early alpha and is not yet a replacement for daily professional work. Where can I get PhotoCraft? Use the official GitHub repository for source code and current releases, and follow its link to the project download page.