Sim powers AI workflows for 100,000+ builders.

Jeff Liu··3 min read·GitHub
Sim powers AI workflows for 100,000+ builders.

Key Takeaways

  1. 1Sim's open-source AI workspace attracted over 100,000 builders.
  2. 2As of September 2026, Sim gained 29.5k GitHub stars and 3.8k forks.
  3. 3Sim integrates 1,000+ apps and major LLMs, supporting visual, conversational, or code-based AI workflows.
  4. 4Sim offers cloud-hosted and self-hosted options, simplifying AI agent creation for all skill levels.

Sim is an open-source, collaborative workspace for AI agents that has attracted over 100,000+ builders. Announced as a comprehensive platform, it allows users to build, deploy, and monitor AI workflows using visual, conversational, or code-based tools, integrating with major LLMs and over 1,000 applications.

As of September 2026, the project has gained significant traction on GitHub with over 29.5k stars and 3.8k forks. Sim addresses the growing need for accessible tools to create complex AI-driven automations without requiring deep coding expertise. It offers both a cloud-hosted version and a self-hosted option, catering to individual developers and large enterprises alike.

What is the Sim AI Workflow Builder?

Sim is a unified platform designed to streamline the creation and management of AI agents and their workflows. It provides a drag-and-drop user interface for visual construction, a conversational builder for intuitive development, and the option for direct coding, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. The goal is to consolidate the entire agent lifecycle in one place.

The platform is not just for generic tasks; it's being applied in specialized fields. For example, it is used to build practical agentic AI workflows for clinical operations, connecting imaging systems, scheduling, and patient notifications. Users can also create retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) assistants capable of reading and summarizing clinical notes and reports, showcasing its versatility. While other platforms like Dify also provide production-ready agentic workflows, Sim emphasizes a unified workspace experience.

Core Capabilities and Tech Stack

Sim integrates essential components directly into its workspace to create a self-contained environment for AI development. It features a built-in database (Tables), a unified file storage system for teams and agents, and a persistent memory layer (Knowledge) that allows agents to retain information across tasks. These capabilities are powered by a modern, open-source tech stack.

The platform can connect to over 1,000 integrations, including popular services like Slack, Notion, and Salesforce, as well as various databases. It supports every major LLM and allows for local model usage through Ollama and vLLM. This extensive connectivity ensures that agents built with Sim can operate within existing business ecosystems without friction. The entire system is built on a robust foundation designed for scalability and ease of use.

Component

Technology

Framework

Next.js (App Router)

Runtime

Bun

Database / ORM

PostgreSQL with Drizzle

Authentication

Better Auth

UI

Shadcn, Tailwind CSS

Realtime Communication

Socket.io

Background Jobs

Trigger.dev

How to Get Started with Self-Hosting

Sim offers a streamlined self-hosting process using an interactive wizard. The main requirements are Node.js (version 20 or higher) and Docker. By running a single command, `npx sim-setup`, the wizard configures a database, generates secrets, and deploys the necessary services using Docker Compose. The setup does not require cloning the full repository.

Once the setup is complete, the instance is accessible at ` The command-line tool also provides simple commands for managing the installation, such as `start`, `stop`, and `update`. For diagnostics, users can run `npx sim-setup doctor` to identify configuration issues. This approach simplifies deployment and maintenance for developers who prefer to run the workspace on their own infrastructure.

Self-Host Sim AI Workflow Builder

Learn how to set up and manage your own instance of the Sim open-source AI workflow builder on your local infrastructure.

  1. 1

    Meet Requirements

    Ensure you have Node.js (version 20 or higher) and Docker installed on your system, as these are the main prerequisites for self-hosting Sim.

  2. 2

    Run Setup Command

    Execute the command `npx sim-setup` in your terminal. This will launch an interactive wizard that configures a database, generates secrets, and deploys necessary services using Docker Compose, without requiring you to clone the full repository.

  3. 3

    Access and Manage Instance

    Once the setup is complete, your Sim instance will be accessible at `http://localhost:3000`. Use the command-line tool to manage your installation with commands like `start`, `stop`, and `update`.

  4. 4

    Diagnose Issues

    For troubleshooting or identifying configuration problems, run `npx sim-setup doctor` to get diagnostic information about your self-hosted Sim instance.

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