pbek/qownnotes

★ 5,742C++Audience · writerComplexity · 3/5Setup · moderate

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((QOwnNotes))
    Storage
      Plain Markdown files
      Local on disk
      Self hosted sync
    Sync Options
      Nextcloud ownCloud
      Dropbox Syncthing
    Features
      Wiki note links
      To-do lists
      Encryption
      AI integration
      Browser extension
    Platforms
      Windows macOS Linux
      Android iOS mobile

mindmap root((QOwnNotes)) Storage Plain Markdown files Local on disk Self hosted sync Sync Options Nextcloud ownCloud Dropbox Syncthing Features Wiki note links To-do lists Encryption AI integration Browser extension Platforms Windows macOS Linux Android iOS mobile

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Things people build with this

USE CASE 1

Take and sync Markdown notes across desktop and mobile using your own Nextcloud server, keeping full control of your data.

USE CASE 2

Build a personal knowledge base by linking notes together with wiki-style internal links.

USE CASE 3

Clip web content into your notes from Chrome or Firefox using the built-in browser extension.

USE CASE 4

Connect your notes to an AI service like OpenAI or Groq to get help writing, summarizing, or searching through your note collection.

Tech stack

C++QtNextcloudownCloud

Getting it running

Difficulty · moderate Time to first run · 30min

Sync requires a self-hosted Nextcloud or ownCloud server, Dropbox and Syncthing are supported alternatives if you prefer those.

In plain English

QOwnNotes is a desktop note-taking application for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It stores your notes as plain text files in Markdown format on your own computer, and can sync them through Nextcloud or ownCloud, which are self-hosted file storage and sync services you can run on your own server. This means your notes stay in files you own and control, rather than locked inside a proprietary service. The application is written in C++ and intentionally built to be lightweight, which the README explicitly contrasts with Electron-based apps that can consume large amounts of CPU and memory. You can write notes with Markdown formatting, preview them with rendered output, and organize them across multiple folders. Notes are named automatically based on their first line, and the filename updates if you change that first line. For people who want to access their notes from a phone or tablet, QOwnNotes pairs with mobile apps for Android and iOS that connect to the same Nextcloud or ownCloud server. It can also sync through Dropbox or Syncthing if you prefer those tools. An optional server-side companion app adds note version history and a trash recovery feature. Beyond basic note-taking, the application includes a to-do list manager that connects to CalDAV task servers, wiki-style links between notes, spell checking, grammar checking via LanguageTool or Harper, scripting support with a community script library, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox to clip web content, and built-in support for connecting to AI services like OpenAI or Groq. It also includes an MCP server that lets external AI tools search and read your notes. Note encryption is available using AES-256 or custom methods. The interface can be heavily customized with keyboard shortcuts, and it supports Wayland on Linux. The README points to a documentation website, a changelog, and several community channels including Matrix, Telegram, and IRC. The project is open source and translations are managed through Crowdin.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1

I want to set up QOwnNotes with my Nextcloud server for note sync. Walk me through the configuration steps on a fresh install.

Prompt 2

How do I use QOwnNotes wiki-style note links to connect related notes and build a personal knowledge base?

Prompt 3

Using QOwnNotes scripting support, how do I write a script that automatically inserts a date-stamped header template when I create a new note?

Prompt 4

How do I configure QOwnNotes to connect to an OpenAI or Groq API key for AI-assisted note writing and searching?

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