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Stirling-PDF

DEVOPS
Velocity6.3

Locally hosted web app to perform 50+ operations on PDF files.

stirlingpdf.io ↗

Stirling-PDF layers MCP and metered AI tools onto its OSS PDF utility, plus a SaaS tier.

mcpai-document-toolsself-hostedperformancedesktop-apposs-to-saas
◆Current state
Stirling-PDF is shipping fast on its V2 line. The last month splits between heavy engineering — JDK 25 enforcement, a new JPDFium path cutting merge/split memory use by up to 99%, server-side folder storage, desktop multi-window — and a newer direction: an MCP integration page plus pay-as-you-go AI document tools, with stirling.com's SaaS code now folded into the OSS repo. A reworked file-management UI (files left, tools right) addresses long-standing complaints about V2's 'forced file management.' Releases are frequent and several are explicitly flagged WIP.
◆Where it's heading
Two arcs are visible in the entries. One is performance and desktop maturity: memory, JDK, multi-window, an auto-updater. The other, newer one is monetizable AI — an MCP page and PAYG-gated AI document and 'AI Create' tools, alongside a SaaS/OSS split the team says it will clarify in coming releases. Stirling-PDF is positioning to be both a self-hosted utility and a hosted, AI-assisted service.
◆Prediction
Expect the MCP page and AI document tools to move from WIP toward shipped, billed features, and clearer OSS-vs-SaaS release notes as the team separates the two products.

◆Recent moves

  1. 2d ago

    2.13.2 Desktop performance fix, and security fixes

    A maintenance patch: security fixes, removal of unused dependencies (including ffmpeg) from the Docker images, and a desktop UI performance fix, plus quieting stray update notices. Incremental hardening on the fast-moving V2 line rather than a feature step.

    View source ↗
  2. 8d ago

    2.13.1 bug fixes for desktop upload from mobile and multitool rotations

    Targeted bug fixes for multi-tool PDF rotation being lost on save and desktop file upload via mobile QR scan. Pure cleanup between feature releases.

    View source ↗
  3. 8d ago

    2.13.0 MCP, files UI tweaks and bug fixes

    ⚡ SPARK

    Introduces an MCP page (WIP) and, per the changelog, PAYG-gated AI document and 'AI Create' tools, while folding stirling.com's SaaS code into the OSS repo. The release reads as backend groundwork for an AI-assisted, hosted direction layered onto the existing utility.

    View source ↗
  4. 18d ago

    2.12.0 JDK25, Folder storage, Huge memory improvements for merge and lots more

    A large engineering release: JDK 25 enforcement, a new JPDFium path cutting merge/split memory use by up to 99%, server-side customizable folder storage, and desktop multi-window. Substantial under-the-hood gains the team frames as groundwork for upcoming automation.

    View source ↗
  5. 24d ago

    2.12 pre relase test - dont use

    An explicitly marked pre-release test build ('dont use') carrying only a third-party license update. Not a real release and no user-facing change.

    View source ↗
  6. 1mo ago

    2.11.0 New easy file management UI release

    A preview of a reworked file-management UI — files on the left, tools on the right — aimed at the 'forced file management' friction users flagged since V2 launched. A genuine UX overhaul shipped as an opt-in preview for feedback.

    View source ↗