# Akira

> Linux App for UI and UX Design

**Wikidata**: [Q130525356](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130525356)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/akira

## Summary  
Akira is a free, open‑source Linux application for designing user interfaces and user experiences. Built with the Vala programming language and released under the GNU GPL v3, it provides a native UI/UX design tool for Linux users.

## Key Facts  
- **Inception:** 3 August 2020.  
- **Operating system:** Runs on Linux.  
- **Programming language:** Developed in Vala (introduced 2006).  
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 3.0.  
- **Current stable version:** 0.0.16 (preferred), released 15 August 2021.  
- **Earlier stable version:** 0.0.14, released 26 April 2021.  
- **Instance of:** free software and prototype software.  
- **Source code & website:** https://github.com/akiraux/Akira (English).  
- **Logo:** https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Akira_UX_logo_transparent.svg.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What does Akira do?  
**A:** Akira provides a native Linux environment for creating and editing UI and UX designs, allowing designers to prototype interfaces without leaving the operating system.  

### Q: Is Akira free to use and modify?  
**A:** Yes. Akira is released under the GNU GPL v3, which permits anyone to run, study, modify, and redistribute the software.  

### Q: Which programming language is Akira written in?  
**A:** Akira is written in Vala, a language that compiles to C and integrates tightly with the GNOME stack.  

### Q: What is the latest version of Akira?  
**A:** The preferred stable release is version 0.0.16, published on 15 August 2021.  

### Q: Where can I get Akira’s source code?  
**A:** The source code is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/akiraux/Akira.  

## Why It Matters  
Akira fills a notable gap in the Linux ecosystem by offering a dedicated, open‑source UI/UX design tool that runs natively on Linux desktops. Prior to Akira, designers on Linux often relied on proprietary, cross‑platform applications that either lacked deep integration with the desktop environment or required costly licenses. By providing a free, GPL‑licensed alternative, Akira empowers independent developers, open‑source contributors, and organizations to prototype and iterate on interface designs without leaving their preferred operating system. Its use of Vala ensures tight coupling with GNOME libraries, delivering a responsive and modern user experience. As UI/UX design becomes increasingly central to software development, Akira’s presence encourages broader adoption of Linux for end‑to‑end product design, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative design community.  

## Notable For  
- First native Linux UI/UX design application released under a permissive open‑source license.  
- Built with Vala, leveraging GNOME technologies for a seamless desktop experience.  
- Maintains a rapid release cadence, with stable versions 0.0.14 and 0.0.16 released within months of each other.  
- Hosted on GitHub, enabling transparent community contributions and issue tracking.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Akira is a prototype‑style, free‑software application aimed at UI and UX designers who work on Linux. It is classified both as *free software* and *prototype software* on Wikidata.  

### Technical Foundations  
- **Language:** Vala (a high‑level language that compiles to C).  
- **License:** GNU GPL v3, granting users rights to run, study, modify, and share the software.  
- **Operating System Compatibility:** Exclusively supports Linux distributions.  

### Release History  
| Version | Release Date | Qualifier | Preferred |
|---------|--------------|-----------|-----------|
| 0.0.14  | 26 April 2021 | stable version | No |
| 0.0.16  | 15 August 2021 | stable version | Yes (preferred) |

Both releases are documented on the GitHub releases page and were accessed on 14 October 2024 for verification.  

### Distribution & Community  
- **Repository:** https://github.com/akiraux/Akira (English interface).  
- **Logo:** Available via Wikimedia Commons, facilitating branding and recognition.  
- **Framalibre ID:** `akira`, linking the project to the French free‑software directory.  

### Significance in the Linux Landscape  
Akira’s existence demonstrates the maturation of design tooling on Linux, reducing reliance on proprietary cross‑platform suites. By offering a GPL‑licensed, Vala‑based solution, it encourages developers to contribute to a shared design infrastructure, potentially influencing future standards for open‑source UI/UX workflows.  

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*All information presented is drawn directly from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. [Release 0.0.14. 2021](https://github.com/akiraux/Akira/releases/tag/v0.0.14)
2. [Release 0.0.16. 2021](https://github.com/akiraux/Akira/releases/tag/v0.0.16)