Windmill (17,452 Stars) Developer Platform 2026: Turn Python and TypeScript Scripts into Apps and Workflows

Windmill (17,452 stars) turns plain Python and TypeScript scripts into internal apps, cron jobs and workflows with a UI - here is how to go from script to app in one afternoon.

💡 What You Will Learn

Windmill (17,452 stars) turns plain Python and TypeScript scripts into internal apps, cron jobs and workflows with a UI - here is how to go from script to app in one afternoon.

## The short answer **windmill-labs/windmill** (17,452 stars, Rust) is an open-source developer platform that turns scripts into apps. You write a normal Python or TypeScript function, and Windmill gives it a UI, a REST API, scheduling, and permission control - without you building a frontend or a server. ## Core building blocks 1. **Scripts** - plain functions with typed inputs 2. **Flows** - connect scripts into workflows (loops, branches, error handling) 3. **Apps** - drag-and-drop UI that calls your scripts 4. **Triggers** - cron, webhook, or on-demand ## From script to app in 3 steps 1. Write a function (Python example): ```python def send_digest(workspace: str, recipients: list[str]): # your logic here return {"sent": len(recipients), "workspace": workspace} ``` 2. Paste it into Windmill under **Scripts** - inputs become form fields automatically. 3. Create an **App**: drag a button, bind it to the script, and you have an internal tool with auth built in. Run locally: ```bash docker run -p 8000:8000 ghcr.io/windmill-labs/windmill:latest # Open http://localhost:8000 - default admin is admin / changeme ``` ## Why teams like it - **No frontend work** for internal tools: the auto-generated UI covers 90% of needs. - **One platform** for scripts, cron jobs, and approval workflows. - **Self-hosted**: your scripts and secrets never touch a third-party cloud. ## FAQ **Does it support TypeScript?** Yes - Python, TypeScript, Go, Bash, and SQL are all first-class. **Can I use it as a cron replacement?** Absolutely - flows support cron schedules with retries and alerts. **Is the community edition enough?** For individuals and small teams, yes - the open-source edition is fully functional.