projbox.com

What It Is

ProjBox is a local-first desktop app for Windows and macOS that turns changes in project folders into understandable history. It is not simply a backup tool, nor is it positioned as a Git replacement. Instead, it helps users understand what changed in CSV files, notes, configurations, and local work folders through a simple flow: choose a folder, run a snapshot, and review the changes.

Core Features and Ecosystem

In terms of functionality, ProjBox offers snapshot-level summaries, a built-in diff viewer, historical version retention, and local AI Q&A. Its core features are said to support any file type, but the Diff Viewer currently only explicitly supports CSV, text, Markdown, and YAML/YML; .xlsx and .docx support is still planned. The AI features depend on Ollama and run locally after the model is downloaded, aligning with its privacy positioning of “no cloud, no uploads.” For developers, it can be used alongside Git, and the official recommendation is to add _ProjBox_History/ to .gitignore. However, if a project consists entirely of code, users may not necessarily need it.

Pricing and Access

The website does not disclose pricing, free/paid limits, or commercial licensing information. Access currently requires an access code, and users who have not received an invitation can apply for early access via a form. The app does not require an account; email is only used to distribute the software and updates. Payment methods, invoicing, and enterprise support information are not specified.

Pros and Cons

The main advantage is its clear privacy design: the app runs 100% locally and does not upload project files. Its interaction model is also more suitable than Git for non-engineering users, especially those who need to compare CSV files, configurations, research materials, and financial documents. The drawbacks are also clear: the product is still in early access, and file diff coverage is limited. Features for large 5GB+ datasets, such as skipping copies or saving schema only, are still “coming soon.” The documentation is mainly an FAQ and lacks complete installation, performance, and troubleshooting materials.

Who It’s For and Access from China

ProjBox is suitable for professors, research and engineering teams, lab users, financial analysts, accountants, and anyone who frequently keeps multiple copies of a project and later needs to explain what changed. Access from China cannot be determined from the available text alone. Since the AI features rely on Ollama, local operation itself does not depend on the cloud, but users should verify network conditions for downloading models and accessing the official website. Alternatives include Git, OneDrive, Time Machine, and system file history tools, but these are more focused on code version control or file recovery and do not fully cover the “explaining changes” use case.