BETA • FULLY UNLOCKED

Save your work.
Not your sanity.

BuddyShelf wraps Git in plain English. Whether you're a creator using AI tools, a designer, or a developer who wants a simpler workflow, BuddyShelf makes version control effortless. And it teaches you Git along the way.

Download the Beta

All features enabled during beta, no restrictions. This beta build runs for 90 days. After that, you'll need to update to keep using BuddyShelf.

Save your progress

One click to snapshot your entire project with a description of what changed.

Experiment safely

Try new ideas without fear. Your main project stays untouched until you decide.

Learn Git naturally

Start with plain English, then gradually see the real Git terms as you get comfortable.

Did you know? Git works entirely on your computer. You don't need GitHub, an account, or even an internet connection to save your work. BuddyShelf uses Git locally on your Mac — cloud backups are optional.

The Problem

We've all been here.

You're building something great.

Everything is going well...

BuddyShelf makes sure this never happens again.

Try It Yourself

See how BuddyShelf works

Click through the steps. This is what using the app feels like.
This is a simplified preview. The actual app has more features and a polished interface.

You've made some changes. Click "Shelf It" to save your progress.

BuddyShelf main

Projects

My Website~/Projects/my-website

Portfolio~/Projects/portfolio

My Website

3 files changed

M index.html

M styles.css

A about.html

Shelved!

"Added about page and updated styles"

Before & After

How you're doing it now vs. BuddyShelf

Sound familiar?

Without version control

my-website

my-website-backup

my-website-v2

my-website-FINAL

my-website-FINAL-v2

my-website-DONT-DELETE

my-website-old-broken

With BuddyShelf

Launched! Final tweaksToday

Fixed mobile navYesterday

Tried dark mode (kept it!)2d ago

Added contact form3d ago

Tried redesign (tossed it)Last week

Initial setup2 wks ago

Learn Git Without Trying

The Graduation System

Toggle between modes to see how the interface changes as you learn.

My Website

Shelf It (commit)

Try an Idea (branch)

Go Back (revert)

Back It Up (push)

Timeline (log)

Features

Plain English. Real power.

Hover over any feature to see the Git term it replaces. (On mobile, both terms are shown.)

Shelf It commit

Save a snapshot of your project with one click. AI writes a plain-English description of what you did.

Timeline log

See every save you've ever made in a visual timeline. Browse by date, search by keyword.

Try an Idea branch

Create a safe sandbox to experiment. Your main project stays untouched until you're ready.

Go Back revert

Restore your project to any previous save point. Your timeline is preserved — you can always go forward again.

Back It Up push

One-click cloud backup to GitHub. Auto-backup after every save. Your code, your account.

What Changed? diff

See exactly what's different in your project right now. Color-coded, with an AI summary in plain English.

Mark as Version tag

Label key milestones like "v1.0" or "before the redesign." AI suggests the next version number.

Fix a Mix-up resolve conflicts

When two versions clash, BuddyShelf walks you through it. Choose "Keep mine," "Keep theirs," or "Keep both."

Pricing

No subscriptions. No recurring fees.

Free

Everything you need to start

3 projects
Full version control in plain English
AI descriptions (bring your own key)
Menu bar widget
Security guardrails

Best Value

Pro

$20

One-time purchase. Yours forever.

Unlimited projects
Cloud backups via GitHub
Web publishing via FTP/SFTP
Share & collaborate (via GitHub)
Project groups
Shelf reminders

Your files. Your machine.

No account required. No backend. No telemetry. BuddyShelf works entirely on your Mac. Cloud features use your own GitHub account. AI features use your own API key. We never see your code.

Integration

Works with Claude Code

BuddyShelf has a free Claude Code skill that makes AI-assisted development even smoother.

Smart Save Reminders

Claude suggests shelving at natural moments: after finishing a feature, before risky changes, or after editing many files.

Speaks Your Language

Claude automatically uses BuddyShelf terminology instead of Git jargon, matching your current comfort level.

One-Click Shelf

Claude opens BuddyShelf directly with a pre-written description of what you accomplished. No typing needed.

No Git Commands

Claude never runs raw Git commands. It respects BuddyShelf as your version control interface.

Free skill. Works with any Claude Code subscription.

Get the Claude Code Skill

FAQ

Common questions

Do I need to know Git?

No. That's the whole point. BuddyShelf uses Git under the hood, but you never have to see it. If you want to learn Git, the terminology graduation system will teach you naturally over time.

Is my code safe?

Yes. Everything stays on your Mac. Cloud backups use your own GitHub account. We never see your code, your API keys, or any of your data.

What if I outgrow BuddyShelf?

You won't — but you'll know Git by then. BuddyShelf teaches it to you gradually through the terminology graduation system. And since it uses standard Git under the hood, all your projects work with any Git tool.

Is it a subscription?

No. Pro costs $20 once. That's it. Forever. Free is free forever, too.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Cloud backup and publishing features need internet, but everything else — saving, timeline, branching, diffs — works completely offline.

Can I use it for non-code projects?

Yes. Designers, writers, musicians — anyone with files to track. BuddyShelf works with any project folder on your Mac.

What AI providers are supported?

BuddyShelf supports OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), and Google (Gemini). You bring your own API key — your key is stored locally on your Mac and never leaves your device.

Ready to stop losing your work?

Download the beta and be one of the first to try BuddyShelf. All features unlocked, 90-day build.