Developer uses AI 'vibe coding' to create free Microsoft Office alternatives

Software engineer Brandon Thomas has released open-source alternatives to Microsoft Office—WordCraft, GridCraft, and DeckCraft—using AI-assisted 'vibe coding.' These tools follow his previous project, which involved cloning Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Thomas, who utilized Anthropic’s Claude to accelerate development, has been vocal in his criticism of established open-source projects like GIMP and LibreOffice, labeling them as 'broken' software that is not worth maintaining. While his efforts have sparked debate regarding the future of software development and the impact of AI, reactions remain divided. Some observers view these AI-generated tools as a disruptive force in the industry, while others question the long-term viability of a lone developer maintaining complex productivity suites against established giants. The project highlights the growing capability of AI agents to replicate sophisticated software, raising concerns about the future of traditional software engineering roles.