Thunderbolt

license

MPL-2.0(OSI)

source

public(github.com/thunderbird/thunderbolt)

self-host

primary(enterprise self-hosting)

OSI-licensed (MPL-2.0), full source public from launch, designed primarily for self-hosting - a true open AI client.

• https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/thunderbird/thunderbolt@main/LICENSE recorded 2026-09-29

  The repository LICENSE file opens with the heading "Mozilla Public License Version 2.0" and carries the full license text.

• https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/thunderbird/thunderbolt@main/README.md recorded 2026-09-29

  The README License section says "Thunderbolt is licensed under the [Mozilla Public License 2.0](./LICENSE)." and invites readers to try it: "We encourage you to self-host it and try it out".

• https://github.com/thunderbird/thunderbolt recorded 2026-08-13

  public source repo under MPL-2.0; "AI You Control" self-hosted client

• https://www.phoronix.com/news/Mozilla-Thunderbolt recorded 2026-08-13

  MZLA launches Thunderbolt as an open source enterprise AI client (Apr 2026)

• https://www.thunderbolt.io/docs recorded 2026-09-29

  The docs introduction says "Thunderbolt is an open-source, cross-platform AI client for web, mobile, and desktop" and warns that it is "not yet intended for production use".

• https://www.thunderbolt.io/docs/self-hosting/ recorded 2026-09-29

  Self-hosting overview: "Every self-hosted target uses the same stack" and can be deployed through Docker Compose, Kubernetes or Pulumi (AWS).

Thunderbolt launched in April 2026 and is still in active development and mid-security-audit, with no usage figures disclosed. It is backed by the Mozilla and Thunderbird brand, but early enough that no real adoption signal yet exists.

• https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/16/mozilla_thunderbolt_enterprise_ai_client/ recorded 2026-08-13

  launch coverage; positioned vs Copilot/ChatGPT Enterprise/Claude Enterprise

Thunderbolt covers chat, search, research, automations, skills, voice input and file upload across web, desktop and mobile clients, with any OpenAI-compatible model or ACP agent and enterprise single sign-on.

• https://www.ghacks.net/2026/04/20/mozillas-mzla-technologies-launches-thunderbolt-an-open-source-self-hosted-enterprise-ai-client/ recorded 2026-08-13

  feature set: chat/search/research/task automation across web + native apps, multi-provider + Ollama

• https://www.thunderbolt.io/blog/mozilla-introduces-thunderbolt recorded 2026-09-29

  Launch announcement of April 16, 2026: chat, search and research with MCP and ACP support and "native applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android".

• https://www.thunderbolt.io/blog/whats-new-in-thunderbolt recorded 2026-09-29

  August 2026 product update lists released features: voice mode ("Talk to Thunderbolt instead of typing."), file upload ("Bring your own files directly into the chat"), SAML/SSO ("organizations can configure Thunderbolt to use their internal identity provider") and "Users can now create and save custom Skills".

• https://www.thunderbolt.io/docs/customize/ recorded 2026-09-29

  Customization page lists primitives; Models: "Use any OpenAI-compatible model: on-device, on-prem, or cloud." and MCP servers can be added.

• https://www.thunderbolt.io/docs/development/quick-start/ recorded 2026-09-29

  Quick start says a provider key is needed for "Anthropic, OpenAI, Mistral, Fireworks, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint".