Istota – A cybernetic emissary that lives in your Nextcloud (istota.xyz)

Istota is a new AI agent designed to operate within your Nextcloud instance, serving as a cybernetic emissary that enhances productivity while keeping data secure and private. It collaborates on files, manages calendars, and supports a range of tasks via Nextcloud Talk, effectively acting like a more controlled version of open-source agents such as Claude Code. Users can interact with Istota through direct messages or multi-user chat rooms, with full control over permissions and sharing, ensuring that sensitive data remains within the user's infrastructure. Significantly, Istota integrates various functionalities including web browsing, calendar management, and even Git workflows, all hosted within a bubblewrap sandbox for security. Each user has their own individualized environment, complete with a unique task queue and memory management. The system is built on principles of trust and privacy, using a structured permissions model to prevent unauthorized access. With its early release now running in production, Istota emphasizes a sustainable approach by operating on renewable energy, positioning itself as a smart, secure choice for users seeking enhanced productivity tools within their Nextcloud ecosystem.