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ArtRiver

Current implementation

Working Prototype

ArtRiver currently exists as a Rust command line tool for local-first audio project history, but a working GUI is well underway.

Walk through the demo Open TimeShore Read the architecture notes

Prototype status

Working local-first MVP

At present, ArtRiver focuses on local repository mechanics, content-addressed assets, signed patch history, DAW project state tracking, runoffs, checkout, and basic audio/project diffing.

Current Capabilities

  • arp session initializes a local .arp project session.
  • arp revise stages audio and project files into the Index.
  • arp flow records staged changes into the TimeShore as signed patches.
  • arp log shows local patch history.
  • arp runoff creates a branch for an alternate creative direction.
  • arp checkout restores the workspace from a runoff or patch.
  • arp diff compares files, patches, or historical states.
  • arp time estimates active project time from patch history.

Repository model

Every ArtRiver project has a local .arp directory. This stores repository metadata, branch refs, the staging index, signed patches, and content-addressed assets. 

.arp/
├── HEAD
├── config
├── identity
├── index
├── assets/
├── patches/
└── refs/
    └── heads/

Patch history

Creative changes are stored as patch operations rather than only as opaque project folders.

Content-addressed assets

Audio and project files are stored by content hash to reduce duplication and support verifiable history.

DAWproject tracking

Valid .dawproject files can be tracked as semantic project state.

Audio diffing

WAV files can be compared using technical and acoustic analysis.

Capabilities Not Yet Present

ArtRiver is not a finished DAW plugin, cloud sync platform, or polished end-user application yet.

  • Peer-to-peer sync is not production-ready.
  • Glacier, Iceberg, inlet, outlet, and replicate are future architecture concepts.
  • DAW plugin integration is future work.
  • Background auto-capture is future work.
  • Multi-user conflict resolution is future work.
  • The patch format may change as the prototype matures.

Summary

The prototype proves that ArtRiver can treat an audio project as more than a pile of files. It can model the creative process as history: assets, state, branches, authorship, restoration, and comparison.

Next step

See it in motion

The demo page walks through a mock audio project using the current CLI surface.

Open demo Open TimeShore