ZenNotes/zennotes

Keyboard-first local Markdown notes with Vim motions, diagrams, and MCP integration.

What it solves

ZenNotes is a keyboard-first Markdown notes application designed for users who want to organize their thoughts using plain files on disk rather than a proprietary database. It eliminates the friction of switching between editing and previewing notes while providing advanced organization tools like tasks, tags, and CSV-based databases.

How it works

The project uses a shared application core with three different runtimes: a desktop app (Electron), a self-hosted web app (Go server), and a planned hosted mode. It treats a folder of Markdown files as a "vault," allowing users to maintain ownership of their data. It integrates with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to allow AI tools to interact directly with the user's note vault.

Who it’s for

It is built for power users who prefer keyboard-centric workflows, Vim motions, and local-first data storage, as well as those who want to self-host their note-taking infrastructure.

Highlights

  • Plain-file first: Notes are stored as standard .md files, ensuring no vendor lock-in.
  • Keyboard-centric: Features a first-class Vim mode, leader-key flows, and a command palette.
  • Advanced Rendering: Supports GitHub-flavored Markdown, KaTeX math, Mermaid diagrams, TikZ, and JSXGraph.
  • MCP Integration: Includes a first-party MCP server that allows AI clients (like Claude Desktop or Codex) to read, create, and search notes in the vault.
  • Flexible Deployment: Available as a native desktop app or a self-hosted Docker stack with a Go backend.
  • Obsidian Compatibility: Supports Obsidian-style vaults, including root-level notes and wiki-links.

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