As an indie developer and technical writer, I write code notes, course materials, and blog posts every single day.
Over the last two years, I noticed modern writing and note-taking apps splitting into two extremes:
- Cloud SaaS Note Lock-in: Almost every new tool wants to lock your notes into their proprietary database behind a mandatory $15–$20/month subscription. The moment you pause payments, your access is gone.
- Traditional Plain Text Editors: Completely local, but if you want basic AI assistance (polishing prose, quick proofreading, or outlining), configuring API keys, endpoints, and prompts across devices feels like assembling a rocket.
I just wanted a native Mac workspace where my words remain mine, but where AI is quietly available when I ask for it.
So I spent the last few months building WitNote for macOS.
1. Local-First: Zero Cloud Lock-In
Your notes are saved directly in standard folders on your Mac as plain .md files.
- You can open and edit your folders with VS Code, Obsidian, or Terminal anytime.
- Works 100% offline. No sync hiccups, no unexpected server downtime.
- No proprietary databases or hidden vendor formats.
2. No Accounts, Zero Tracking
WitNote does not ask for an account, does not require a login, and collects zero analytics or tracking telemetry.
You download it, choose a local folder, and start writing immediately.
3. On-Device AI Assistance
Instead of forcing a bloated monthly cloud subscription:
- Common writing tasks (polishing, summarizing, generating outlines, grammar checking) can run directly on-device.
- If you prefer external LLMs, you can configure your own endpoint with complete transparency.
- Your writing is never stored or trained on by third-party servers.
4. Seamless Format Conversion
Technical writing often involves mixed media:
- Import
.docx,.pdf, and.epubdocuments straight into clean, readable Markdown. - Export to formatted PDF, Word, HTML, or shareable long images in one click.
Current Status
WitNote is currently live on the Mac App Store.
The core version is completely free for everyday writing and folder management. For advanced styling and deeper toolsets, there is a simple one-time lifetime unlock—no recurring monthly subscriptions.
I would love to hear feedback from fellow developers and writers:
- How do you balance privacy/local files with modern AI workflows?
- What features are essential in your daily Markdown setup?
Check out the project details on our website or on the Mac App Store.
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