note-gen
NoteGen is an open-source, cross-platform Markdown note-taking app that lets you quickly capture raw information (text, voice, screenshots, files) and then use AI to organize it into structured notes. It supports local Markdown storage, syncing via Git/WebDAV, knowledge base search, and AI-powered features like chat, summarization, and OCR.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | codexu/note-gen |
| Owner | codexu |
| Primary language | TypeScript |
| License | GPL-3.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 12.3k |
| Forks | 925 |
| Open issues | 160 |
| Latest release | note-gen-v0.30.1 (2026-07-06) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-06 |
| Source | https://github.com/codexu/note-gen |
What note-gen is
Built with TypeScript, Next.js 15, React 19, Tauri 2, and Tailwind CSS 4, NoteGen provides a desktop/mobile client with local-first Markdown file management, vector indexing for RAG, configurable LLM integrations, MCP support, and cross-device sync through Git or WebDAV backends.
Get the note-gen source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/codexu/note-gen.gitcd note-gen# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires configuration of at least one AI provider (LLM, embeddings, OCR/VLM) before AI features are functional; SiliconFlow and 302.ai are pre-partnered.
- Local-first design stores notes as Markdown files; sync backends (Git, WebDAV, S3) must be provisioned separately and support organization's compliance posture.
- Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) at beta; Android/iOS at alpha; mobile features and stability may lag desktop.
- MCP integration available for connecting external AI tools; requires understanding of MCP protocol and compatible tool ecosystem.
- Vector indexing and hybrid retrieval enabled via knowledge base; index maintenance and re-indexing on large note corpora requires monitoring.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Proprietary/Closed Ecosystem Requirement — GPL-3.0 license mandates derivative works remain open-source; unsuitable if you need proprietary closed-source customization or restricted IP.
- Enterprise Security Hardening — Project is in beta (v0.30); no formal security audit, penetration test, or compliance certifications (SOC 2, HIPAA, FedRAMP) mentioned. Not ready for regulated/sensitive data.
- Mission-Critical Uptime SLA — Active development with 160 open issues and rapid iteration cycle; stability and backward compatibility not guaranteed across versions.
- Minimal Dependency Profile — Requires configuring external LLM providers (OpenAI, SiliconFlow, etc.), vector DB, and optional sync backends; complex stack for teams seeking minimal operational surface.
License & commercial use
GPL-3.0 (GNU General Public License v3.0). Requires source disclosure and GPLv3 compliance for all modifications and derivative works distributed. Not a permissive OSI license.
Using NoteGen as-is in a commercial context (e.g., internal tool) is generally permitted under GPLv3. However, selling or distributing NoteGen or derivative products requires: (1) providing source code to recipients, (2) licensing derivatives under GPLv3, and (3) disclosing all modifications. Consult legal counsel before commercial distribution or significant customization. SaaS offerings built on NoteGen may trigger GPLv3 obligations depending on deployment model and code changes.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Project is beta-stage with no disclosed security audit, penetration testing, or formal threat model. Local-first Markdown storage on user's device reduces server-side attack surface, but: (1) LLM provider APIs receive note content for AI features—review provider's data retention and privacy policies; (2) sync backends (Git, WebDAV, S3) store unencrypted Markdown unless user adds encryption layer; (3) OCR/image VLM processing sends images to external provider; (4) no built-in end-to-end encryption mentioned; (5) Tauri desktop app surface (WebView, native bindings) not independently audited. Recommended: encrypt sensitive notes before sync, use private Git repos, review LLM provider terms, and treat as research-grade not production-ready for regulated data.
Alternatives to consider
Obsidian
Proprietary freemium Markdown note app with local-first storage and plugin ecosystem; no built-in AI, but mature ecosystem and strong documentation. Choose if you want stability and plugin extensibility over AI-first workflow.
Notion
Closed-source, cloud-first collaboration platform with AI assistant and rich media support. Choose if you prioritize team collaboration, managed hosting, and vendor lock-in tolerance over local storage and open-source transparency.
LogSeq
Open-source (AGPL), local-first Markdown note app with knowledge graph and plugin support; lighter AI integration than NoteGen. Choose for simpler workflows and graph-based organization over AI-centric capture-and-organize.
Build on note-gen with DEV.co software developers
Download the beta desktop client, configure your LLM provider, and test the capture-then-organize model. For enterprise deployment or custom integration, consult with our team on licensing, security, and infrastructure requirements.
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note-gen FAQ
Can I use NoteGen commercially or resell it?
Is NoteGen ready for production use?
What LLM providers does NoteGen support?
How do I sync notes across devices?
Software developers & web developers for hire
From first prototype to production, DEV.co delivers software development services around tools like note-gen. Our software development agency staffs experienced software developers and web developers for custom software development, web development, integrations, and ongoing support across ai frameworks and beyond.
Ready to Evaluate NoteGen for Your Workflow?
Download the beta desktop client, configure your LLM provider, and test the capture-then-organize model. For enterprise deployment or custom integration, consult with our team on licensing, security, and infrastructure requirements.