AiMatch

Znote

Znote is a local Markdown editor that adds AI note assistance, runnable code blocks, MCP tool connections, and Git controls. Tech leads, product owners, and indie developers can use it to write notes and run small workflows in the same files.

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Znote screenshot

Who it's for

  • Tech leads who want to keep project notes local while querying connected tools or preparing standup briefs.
  • Product owners who want to use AI with research notes and templates to draft user stories or summarize meeting notes.
  • Indie developers who want to run JavaScript snippets and prototype small data or API tools alongside Markdown notes.

Not the right fit if…

  • People who need AI features without supplying a provider key or configuring Ollama: the page says AI requires a user-provided key unless Ollama is used.

How it fits your workflow

Open a local Markdown folder or an existing Obsidian vault, then write in the editor. To ask about notes, select what the AI should read with @ and choose a prompt with /; the answer appears inline.

Add a JavaScript code block to query a database, call an API, or process a file, then run it and view the chart or table in the note. Configure MCP servers in the vault to let AI blocks work with tools such as GitHub, Postgres, Slack, or Linear.

If the vault is connected to a Git repository, pull, commit, and push from the app. The page says Znote checks outgoing changes for clear-text tokens.

Pricing

Free: The app and every feature are free. AI usage is billed by the user's provider at cost when using OpenAI or OpenRouter; the page says Ollama can be used locally at no provider cost.

Free

Free; no license or subscription

  • · Every app feature is included
  • · No account required
  • · AI uses a provider key supplied by the user, or Ollama

Prices checked on Oct 11, 2026 from the vendor's site. They can change; confirm before you buy.

Key features

AI answers in notes
Select notes for the AI to read with @ and choose prompts with slash commands. Responses appear inline in the note. Slash commands are Markdown files that users can edit.
Runnable code blocks
Run JavaScript blocks from a note to query a database, call an API, parse a file, or render a chart or table inline.
MCP tool connections
Configure MCP servers so AI blocks can query, search, and create through connected tools. The page describes a configuration format matching Claude Desktop and provides ready-to-run examples.
Local Markdown editing
Edit plain .md files in folders of the user's choice, with WYSIWYG editing, themes, and full-text search. Existing Obsidian vaults can be opened as-is.
Git workflow
Point a vault at a repository and pull, commit, and push from the app. The sidebar shows file changes and incoming updates.
Encrypted secrets for notes
Store note secrets in an encrypted sidecar using sops and age. The page says Znote checks outgoing pushes and stops a push if a token is left in clear text.

Works with

  • MCP servers
  • OpenAI, OpenRouter, and Ollama
  • Git

Limitations to know

  • AI features require a key supplied by the user for OpenAI or OpenRouter, unless the user configures Ollama for local use.
  • The page lists supported downloads for Windows (x64/arm64), Mac (Intel and Silicon), and Linux (x64/arm64).

Getting started

A supported download is listed for Windows (x64/arm64), Mac (Intel or Silicon), and Linux (x64/arm64). AI requires a user-provided OpenAI or OpenRouter key, or Ollama for a local setup.

  1. Download Znote for a listed operating system.
  2. Open a folder of Markdown files or an existing Obsidian vault.
  3. If using AI, connect an OpenAI or OpenRouter key or configure Ollama; setup is guided on first launch.
  4. Create a note and use its AI prompts, code blocks, MCP connections, or Git controls.

Frequently asked questions

Is Znote free?

Yes. The app and every feature are free, with no license to buy. AI runs using a key the user provides for OpenAI or OpenRouter, or through Ollama; the page says provider use is paid at cost and Ollama can run locally at no provider cost.

How is Znote different from Obsidian or Notion?

The page describes Znote as a focused Markdown editor with AI that answers from notes, runnable code blocks, MCP server connections, and Git built in. It says outputs appear inline, the app has no plugins, cloud, or subscription, and existing Obsidian vaults open as-is.

Do I need an API key to use AI?

Yes, unless using Ollama for a fully local setup. The page lists OpenAI, OpenRouter, and Ollama as options and says Znote guides users through setup on first launch.

Where are my files stored?

Files are stored on the user's machine as plain .md files in folders they choose. The page says there is no cloud, no account, and no telemetry by default.

What is MCP and what can I connect?

MCP is the open standard Znote uses to let AI work with connected tools. The page names GitHub, Postgres, Slack, Linear, and the filesystem, and says the configuration format matches Claude Desktop and servers run locally.