PhotoCraft, an image-editing app built with AI assistance, recreates much of Photoshop's familiar layout and everyday functionality. The app is part of a wider collection of software projects by developer Brandon Thomas, who says he used Claude Opus 5.5 to help create alternatives to several Adobe programs.
A familiar editing experience
PhotoCraft's panels, menus, preferences and keyboard shortcuts closely resemble those found in Photoshop. Common tools, including cropping, color adjustments, layers, the clone stamp and the magic wand, are available in a similar workflow.
In a hands-on test, the app handled routine image edits smoothly, though some selection and snapping operations felt less polished. It is still labeled an early alpha and is under development, so advanced features and reliability may vary as the project evolves.
An early look at AI-assisted software
Thomas has also created similarly styled applications for other creative tasks, including video editing and illustration. The projects point to a growing use of AI coding tools to produce software that imitates established workflows. However, close similarities in design and behavior can raise legal questions, and the long-term status of such projects remains uncertain.
PhotoCraft suggests that AI-assisted development could make familiar digital tools more accessible and accelerate experimentation with new software. Its progress will help show how far this approach can go while balancing usability, originality and trust.
