EMDR-inspired writing

A writing space that
breathes with you

Vessel translates EMDR's core principles into a writing environment — rhythmic, adaptive, and entirely private. No cloud. No accounts. No one reading your words.

↓ Download for Mac View on GitHub

macOS · Apple Silicon (M1–M4) · Free · Open Source

Vessel writing environment — dark mode

The canvas. Nothing between you and your words.

The Science

Why the canvas breathes

Vessel is built on a real therapeutic framework — not a metaphor.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a clinically validated psychotherapy for processing traumatic and distressing memories. At its core is bilateral stimulation — rhythmic, alternating engagement that appears to help the brain reprocess difficult material and reduce its emotional charge.

Vessel translates this principle into a writing environment. The canvas gently expands and contracts on a 5.5-second cycle — a subtle, embodied rhythm that creates the conditions for focused, reflective writing without demanding your conscious attention.
Features

Built around
how you actually process

🌊

The Breathing Canvas

The writing surface expands and contracts on a 5.5-second cycle — a meditative bilateral rhythm that supports focused, embodied writing without demanding your attention.

🌦

Adaptive Atmosphere

Vessel reads your typing cadence in real time. Writing slowly: dark, warm tones. Steady flow: soft light. Rapid bursts: vivid energy. The environment shifts like weather — never jarring.

🌫

Transient Mode

Words dissolve after they're written. Write without attachment. Process without a record. The Ash Command scatters everything instantly — characters like embers, then gone.

🔒

The Vault

Everything you choose to keep is encrypted with AES-256-GCM and stored on your machine. Your key lives in macOS Keychain. Nothing touches a server. Ever.

The Vault — encrypted session archive Light mode writing environment Passphrase protection
Two Modes

Keep it or let it go

Permanent Mode

Your words stay on the canvas and are automatically saved to your encrypted vault. A private archive of your processed writing that grows over time — each session a colored tile in your history.

⌘⇧V — Open Vault

Transient Mode

Words dissolve after a few seconds. Nothing is kept. Write without the weight of permanence — then release it all with the Ash Command. Characters scatter like embers, then vanish.

⌘T — Toggle Mode    ⌘⇧D — Ash Command
Privacy

Your words are yours.
Full stop.

Therapeutic writing is deeply private. Vessel was designed with that as a non-negotiable constraint — not an afterthought.

EncryptionAES-256-GCM for all stored content
Key storagemacOS Keychain — never touches disk
Vault accessSHA-256 hashed passphrase
Cloud syncNone
AccountsNone
TelemetryNone
Data policyNothing leaves your machine. Ever.
Passphrase protection screen

Your vault opens only with your passphrase.

Get Vessel

Start writing

Free. Open source. No account required. Just download, open, and write.

↓ Download Vessel 0.2 View source on GitHub

macOS · Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3/M4 · Intel & other platforms coming

Vessel is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to a qualified professional.
US Crisis Line: call or text 988