How do I install Stencila on Windows?

Download the latest release zip file from GitHub, extract it, and place the 'stencila' executable in a directory on your PATH. The README provides step-by-step instructions for manual installation.

Stencila vs Jupyter Notebooks: which should I use?

Stencila is better for document-focused workflows with multi-format export and built-in CRDT collaboration, while Jupyter excels in interactive data analysis with a larger ecosystem. Stencila supports more languages natively beyond Python.

Can Stencila documents be converted to PDF?

PDF export is planned but not yet implemented in v2; it will rely on HTML conversion once stable, as indicated in the formats roadmap table under 'Planned' status.

Does Stencila work with Git for version control?

Git integration is a planned feature, including a custom merge driver, but currently in development. For now, you can manually manage document files with Git, but automated merging isn't available.

What programming languages does Stencila run code in?

It supports kernels for Bash, Python, R, JavaScript (via QuickJs and Node.js), with experimental or planned support for SQLite, Deno, and Jupyter kernels, as listed in the kernels table.

Is real-time collaboration built into Stencila?

Yes, CRDT-based real-time collaboration is a core feature, but relay servers for easier synchronization are still under development, so peer-to-peer setup might be required initially.

How does Stencila handle large language model edits?

It integrates LLMs to assist in editing and records the actor (human or LLM) behind each change in the document schema, helping mitigate risks like misinformation or unattributed modifications.

Open-Awesome

Stencila

Apache-2.0Rustv2.15.0

A platform for creating and publishing dynamic, data-driven documents with built-in code execution and collaboration.

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883 stars57 forks0 contributors

What is Stencila?

Stencila is an open-source platform for creating dynamic, data-driven documents that can execute embedded code in multiple programming languages. It solves the problem of static documents by enabling interactive, executable content that can be collaboratively edited and published across various formats. The project focuses on scientific communication but is applicable to any domain needing programmable, interactive narratives.

Target Audience

Researchers, data scientists, academics, and technical writers who need to create interactive reports, reproducible research papers, or data-driven applications. Developers building collaborative editing tools or document conversion pipelines will also find the SDKs and CLI valuable.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Stencila for its strong interoperability across document formats, built-in multi-language code execution, and CRDT-based real-time collaboration. Its unique selling point is blending the interactivity of applications with the narrative structure of documents, all while being open-source and self-hostable.

Overview

Documents with Scientific Intelligence

Use Cases

Best For

Creating reproducible research papers with executable data analysis code
Building interactive tutorials or textbooks that run code examples directly
Developing internal data dashboards that combine narrative text with live computations
Converting documents between formats like Jupyter Notebooks to HTML or LaTeX
Collaborating on technical documents in real-time with version control
Publishing dynamic, data-driven articles that update with new results

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring immediate, stable production deployment without alpha/beta software risks
Simple document creation tasks that don't need embedded code execution or real-time collaboration
Teams heavily reliant on mature ecosystems with extensive third-party plugins and integrations
Applications where minimal setup and user-friendly interfaces are prioritized over advanced programmable features

Pros & Cons

Pros

Multi-language Code Execution

Supports embedded executable code in Python, R, JavaScript, and more via pluggable kernels, enabling truly programmable documents with live computations.

Wide Format Interoperability

Can import and export documents across JSON, HTML, Markdown, JATS, LaTeX, Jupyter Notebooks, and others, facilitating seamless conversion and reuse.

CRDT-based Collaboration

Built on Automerge CRDTs for decentralized, real-time collaboration and version control, allowing multiple users to edit documents simultaneously without conflicts.

LLM Integration with Tracking

Integrates large language models to assist writing and editing while recording whether changes were made by humans or LLMs, enhancing transparency and accountability.

Cons

Incomplete Feature Set

Many core features like Git merge drivers, relay servers, and full format support (e.g., PDF, LaTeX) are still marked as 'planned' or 'under development' in the v2 roadmap.

Limited User Documentation

Documentation is primarily reference material; comprehensive guides and tutorials are lacking, which may slow onboarding and adoption for new users.

Performance and Complexity Overhead

The use of CRDTs for storage and multiple kernels for code execution can introduce performance trade-offs and setup complexity compared to simpler, static document tools.

Open Source Alternative To

Stencila is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Coda

Coda is an all-in-one document editor that combines documents, spreadsheets, and applications into a single collaborative workspace.

Notion

A productivity and note-taking web application that offers databases, kanban boards, wikis, calendars, and reminders. It integrates many workspace tools into one platform.

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