Beeskie is the first native Bluesky app built for Windows 11, and a Microsoft engineer makes it

Beeskie is the first native Bluesky app built for Windows 11, and a Microsoft engineer makes it

What you need to know

  • Bluesky has gained millions of new users over the last week as more people are fleeing X (aka Twitter).
  • While not quite Twitter 2.0, Bluesky offers some ingenious advantages, such as default chronological ordering, custom feeds, and Starter Packs.
  • Beeskie is a new (and free) native Windows 11 client for Bluesky, currently in beta.
  • The app is made by a Microsoft software engineer who selfpublishes various Windows apps on the Microsoft Store.

As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the tech industry, I have seen numerous social media platforms rise and fall, each with its unique quirks and features. The recent surge of Bluesky, a Twitter offshoot, is an interesting development, especially considering the current state of X (Twitter).


It’s no secret that social networks breed drama, and this has proven true for Bluesky, a spin-off from Twitter initiated by its founder Jack Dorsey. In recent days, Bluesky has experienced a significant surge in new users, growing from approximately 7 million two months ago to 19 million as of November 18. This growth comes as many people seek refuge from the chaos that has engulfed Twitter.

Whether that pace continues remains to be seen.

Remarkably, a new free application called Beeskie has been introduced on the Microsoft Store for Windows 11. This app was created by Daniel Paulino, a software engineer at Microsoft, who independently publishes under the name Jenius Apps (we’ve featured his previous applications such as Ambie White Noise and Pillbox Pro).

Beeskie is the first native Bluesky app built for Windows 11, and a Microsoft engineer makes it

For clarification, it’s important to note that Beeskie is still in its developmental phase, which means it has limited features at the moment. At present, you can only log in, view your main feed, check notifications, and, ahem, “skeeting” (posting). To access these functions, simply input your username and use an auto-generated app password from Bluesky to sign in. Once done, you’re all set!

Paulino highlights that the application is coded using C#, XAML, and .NET technologies, and it’s completely open-source, meaning its code is accessible on GitHub, allowing others to either expand upon it or scrutinize it thoroughly.

Currently, the application might seem quite simple, but those who are well-versed in app development can see its strong foundation for future growth. It boasts swift operation, seamless scrolling, and a user interface that aligns more with the user experience of Windows 11. The possibilities it offers are abundant.

Although Beeskie is currently unsuitable for serving as your main Bluesky client or an alternative to the desktop progressive web app (PWA) or deck.blue (a Tweetdeck-like web application for Bluesky), it’s important to remember that Paulino, who has experience in software development and worked at Microsoft, even on the Microsoft Store app, is developing a new version of Bluesky client. With consistent usage and feedback from users, we can anticipate seeing fundamental features being added in upcoming updates, such as notifications and possibly even sharing capabilities. Paulino has mentioned that updates will be rolled out approximately every two days.

Try out Beeskie, then let Paulino know your preferences for future upgrades by connecting with him on Bluesky at kidjenius.bsky.social.

Regarding that topic, feel free to connect with the Windows Central team through our Starter Pack. In due time, you can expect them to begin sharing content on their platform once they figure out a streamlined way to automate the process (for now, find us at @windowscentral.bsky.social).

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2024-11-18 22:39