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Jas

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What Jas is

Jas is a vector illustration editor for making and editing SVG-shaped documents, available as Linux and macOS desktop software and as a browser app. The browser editor runs through WebAssembly without installation and is described as an approximately 2 MB download. It does not require an account and states that it uses no analytics or third-party requests. Drawing tools include geometric shapes such as rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and stars, along with Pen, Pencil, Path Eraser, and Smooth tools. Text can be edited in place, wrapped, arranged across multiple lines, or placed on a path. Selection modes work with elements, control points, and groups; additional options include marquee selection, shift-extend, alt-copy, and keyboard nudging. Documents use nested layers and groups, and edits support undo and redo. Each app can export to SVG and reopen SVG files it has written. Rust and Swift versions remain in active development; the OCaml and Python/Qt versions are preserved at the five-port-parity tag. The project is licensed under Apache License 2.0.

Who it suits

Jas suits people looking for a small vector editor with SVG export and a choice of browser or desktop use. Its browser version may suit users who want to work without installing an app or creating an account.

What it does well

  • Browser editor runs without installation.
  • Browser version requires no account.
  • Includes shape, path, and text tools.
  • Supports SVG export and reopening written SVGs.
  • Licensed under Apache License 2.0.

What to know first

  • Swift implementation requires macOS and a recent Swift toolchain.
  • OCaml and Python/Qt implementations are preserved at a parity tag.

Verdict

Jas combines SVG editing tools with browser and desktop implementations. Its browser option avoids installation and accounts, while the macOS Swift version has a stated system and toolchain requirement.

Facts from Jas's own pages

Browser app
The Rust/Dioxus WebAssembly editor runs in a browser with no install and is described as an approximately 2 MB download. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Browser privacy
The web version requires no account and states it uses no analytics or third-party requests. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Browser version
The Rust/Dioxus editor runs in a browser via WebAssembly with no installation. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Document model
Documents use nested layers and groups, and edits create a new immutable document with undo and redo support. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Drawing tools
Jas supports rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, line, polygon, and star shapes, plus Pen, Pencil, Path Eraser, and Smooth tools. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Implementations
Active development continues in the Rust and Swift implementations; the OCaml and Python/Qt implementations are preserved at the five-port-parity tag. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Intended users
The README describes Jas as a small, inspectable vector illustration application; it does not state a specific user group. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
License
The project is licensed under Apache License 2.0. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
macOS requirement
The Swift/AppKit implementation requires macOS and a recent Swift toolchain. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Maker
The repository identifies Jason Hickey as the project's author and maintainer. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Maker profile
Jason Hickey's GitHub profile lists the United States as his location. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Path editing
Path tools include anchor-point editing, a path eraser, and a smoothing tool. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Platforms
The project documents a browser implementation, a Swift/AppKit implementation requiring macOS, and Python/Qt and OCaml/GTK implementations. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Privacy
The browser editor is described as requiring no accounts, using no analytics, and making no third-party requests. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Product
Jas is a vector illustration editor for SVG-shaped documents. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Selection
Selection modes cover elements, control points, and group traversal, with marquee selection, shift-extend, alt-copy, and keyboard nudge. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
SVG files
Each app can export documents to SVG and reopen SVG files it wrote. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
SVG support
Each app can export its document to SVG and reopen SVGs it has written. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Testing approach
The implementations use a shared executable YAML specification and cross-language differential testing to check behavior. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Text
Text features include in-place editing, word wrap, multi-line area text, and Type on a Path. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026

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