SiYuan
A local-first PKM tool with block-level Markdown, bidirectional links, and end-to-end encrypted sync. Ideal for researchers, writers, and lifelong learners.
SiYuan is a privacy-first personal knowledge management (PKM) system that supports Markdown, block-level references, and bidirectional links. Designed for local-first workflows with optional end-to-end encrypted cloud sync.
Key Features
- Block-based editing: Work with content at the paragraph level for granular organization
- Markdown & WYSIWYG: Write in Markdown or use a visual editor
- Bidirectional linking: Create connections between notes effortlessly
- Block references: Embed and reuse content across documents
- End-to-end encrypted sync: Secure cloud synchronization with zero-knowledge architecture
- Database & tables: Organize knowledge with structured data
- PDF annotation: Highlight and annotate PDFs directly
- Cross-platform: Available on Linux, Windows, macOS, and mobile
- Extensible: Customize with themes, plugins, and widgets
- Search & filtering: Advanced query syntax for finding information quickly
- Web clipping: Save articles and web content directly to your knowledge base
Tech / Self-Hosting
SiYuan is open-source software (AGPL-3.0) with self-hosting capabilities. The core application runs locally while optional cloud services provide encrypted sync and backup. Docker images are available for easy deployment. The project emphasizes privacy with no telemetry and end-to-end encryption for all cloud features.