In the last months, Newelle It has begun to stand out as one of the most complete, versatile and customizable virtual assistants in the free and open source ecosystem.. Specifically designed for Linux users with technical profiles, this project has gained prominence by integrating advanced features such as voice support, command execution, AI-powered file management, and an extension system that allows you to modify virtually any behavior of the assistant. It can be said that Newelle shares certain similarities with Yoda, a personal assistant for the terminalHowever, Newelle offers a more robust set of tools.
Thanks to its open-source nature and its ease of working with local models or models based on its own APIsNewelle clearly differentiates itself from more commercial and closed solutions like Meta AI. In this article, we'll explain in depth what this powerful tool offers, how to install it, its ecosystem, its advantages over alternatives, and the type of users it's designed for.
What is Newelle?
Newelle is a virtual assistant application open source developed by user qwersyk. It is specifically designed for the Linux environment and allows text or voice interaction with both local and remote artificial intelligence models. Its modular and highly extensible design makes it an ideal tool for developers, free software enthusiasts, and anyone who wants full control over their assistant.
In addition to being able to be configured in multiple ways depending on the AI model you use, It has a profile system to quickly switch between settings, integration with terminal to run commands suggested by the assistant, embedded file manager, chat history and many other features that make it especially powerful.
Installation and compatibility
Newelle can be easily installed from Flathub, since it has an official Flatpak package. This makes it much easier to deploy on most modern Linux distributions. To install it, simply run the following command:
flatpak install flathub io.github.qwersyk.Newelle
To grant additional permissions or adjust how the sandbox works, it is recommended to use the tool Flat Seal, where you can enable access to local folders, the session bus, or even run the wizard outside the sandbox if needed.
There is also a lighter version called Newelle Lite, which can be configured to launch using keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl+Space. This makes it perfect for quick tasks or resource-limited computers.
Main functions of Newelle
One of Newelle's most notable competitive advantages is its range of functionalities for developers and technical users. Below are its key features:
- Support for multiple AI models: You can choose from different providers or use local models through tools like Ollama.
- Long-term memory: The assistant can remember previous conversations, improving continuity of use.
- Voice support: Compatible with multiple TTS and STT engines, it allows for completely hands-free voice conversations.
- Integrated file manager: Allows you to organize and manipulate files using natural commands assisted by AI.
- Command execution: You can run commands suggested by the conversational model directly in the terminal.
- Message Editor: Ability to edit or delete previous chat entries to fine-tune responses or perform prompt engineering experiments.
- Support for Markdown and LaTeX: Ideal for those who use chat to write code, scientific documentation, or technical articles.
- Profile system: Allows you to easily change settings based on the model, voice engine, or desired environment.
Extensibility with extensions, semi-redundancy intended
One of the jewels in Newelle's crown is its extension system, which allows you to create new functionalities, add support for new LLM models or integrate external services. Extensions can be programmed in Python and there is an active community sharing them.
New features can be added, such as support for additional text-to-speech engines, API integrations, database connectors, or even new graphical interfaces. All of this is done within a modular and documented environment, which greatly facilitates development and integration.
Nyarch Assistant: The Anime-Flavored Version
Nyarch Assistant is an official fork of Newelle developed by the Nyarch Linux team. While maintaining full compatibility with Newelle extensions and enhancements, they have introduced a more visual and thematic approach, geared toward fans of anime and Japanese culture.
Among its most striking innovations is the use of Live2D or LivePNG avatars, multi-waifu support with dynamic character switching, integration with cloned VoiceVox-type voice engines, and a much more playful personality. The idea behind Nyarch Assistant is to turn the assistant into your “digital waifu,” completely customizable both visually and functionally.
Advanced settings and privacy
For those seeking maximum privacy, Nyarch Assistant and also Newelle allow to work completely offline. This is achieved using local models through GPT4All or Ollama (the latter being more powerful and offering better performance). Local voice engines such as Vits or VoiceVox can also be used, allowing everything to be executed without sending data to external servers.
Of course, this type of configuration requires a good GPU to achieve acceptable response times, especially with heavyweight models like the Llama3-70B, DeepSeek, or Mixtral. GPU management can be optimized using appropriate virtualization software and management models.
Comparison with other solutions
Newelle has been compared in various articles to other popular AI tools such as NectarGPT and Meta AI. Each has its own approach:
- NectarGPT: It's also an open-source solution based on GPT-4, designed for smart navigation and content generation. It focuses more on browser integration than customization or programming.
- Meta AI: Meta Assistant integrated into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Very useful for quick, everyday tasks, but with limited functionality outside of those platforms and privacy concerns.
Compared to these alternatives, Newelle stands out for its level of customization, ability to operate offline, code support, and a user community more oriented toward development and the Linux world.
What Newelle is missing
Like any growing project, it also has areas for improvement. Some users have pointed out that the learning curve can be somewhat steep for those unfamiliar with technical environments, and that the documentation could be even more comprehensive.
I also know misses a more active community or more official support to address beginners' questions, something that is likely to grow over time as more people adopt the tool.
Still, for technical profiles, it is one of the most powerful options of the momentNewelle represents a unique and promising proposition within the virtual assistant landscape. Its approach as an open-source modular platform, combined with voice capabilities, code execution, memory storage, and extension support, puts it in a league of its own compared to more common but limited options. If you use Linux and are interested in artificial intelligence, this is definitely a project worth your attention.