note.md

Overview

note.md is a macOS application combining a PDF reader, reference manager, markdown note editor, and writing environment into a single unified window. It stores everything as plain markdown files locally on your Mac, ensuring absolute data privacy. The platform features an on-device AI system that indexes research materials locally without cloud uploads. Designed for researchers, it bridges PDF study analysis, citation mapping, and manuscript drafting seamlessly.

What it does

• Read, organize, and tag research PDFs directly within a unified workspace without switching external tabs.
• Take linked markdown notes alongside PDFs and watch them grow directly into structured academic drafts.
• Insert BibTeX or APA citations straight from PDF metadata with links back to original highlights.
• Run on-device AI semantic search, matrix extraction, and evidence scanning completely offline for total privacy.

Who it's for

• Academic Researchers
• Graduate Students
• Thesis Writers
• Scientific Authors

Why it works

• Operates entirely local-first ensuring notes and research data remain private on the user device without cloud tracking.
• Integrates PDF reading, citation management, and markdown drafting into a single cohesive interface window.
• Leverages specialized on-device AI pipelines for semantic search and matrix extraction without subscription bandwidth limits.
• Eliminates proprietary lock-in by saving all files natively as plain markdown documents on macOS.

Founder story

note.md was built to solve the fragmentation researchers face when juggling multiple reference managers, PDF readers, and note-taking apps. Designed specifically for academic rigor, the project provides a unified local-first environment for reading, citing, and writing scholarly works securely.

Alternatives

• Zotero
• Obsidian
• Logseq
• Mendeley

Comparison overview

• note.md integrates a native PDF reader, reference manager, and markdown editor into a single window compared to decoupled toolchains like Zotero and Obsidian.
• It runs all AI indexing and semantic searches completely on-device instead of relying on external cloud APIs.