- Home
- Notebook Software
- Dnote
Dnote
What it is
Dnote is a free, open-source terminal notebook for recording commands, snippets, and insights, then locating them with full-text search. It centers on a command-line interface rather than a web note editor. Notes are arranged in books, and a book is created automatically when its first note is added. Dnote uses the text editor configured on your system, whether that editor runs in a terminal or graphical environment. The command-line client keeps notebook data in a SQLite database, while its configuration and data locations follow the XDG Base Directory convention. Local use is the default. You can optionally operate a self-hosted server to synchronize notes between devices; that server exposes a REST API for notes and books. Any HTTP client can access the API, and the CLI accepts standard-input pipes. Server deployment options include Docker Compose, Docker, or a standalone binary. Dnote is licensed under Apache License 2.0. The maker removed end-to-end encryption and the web note interface.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Full-text search for notes
- Uses terminal or graphical editors
- Optional self-hosted synchronization
- REST API and standard-input support
Against
- No web note-taking interface
- End-to-end encryption was removed
- Sync requires running a server
- Command-line focused
The verdict
Dnote provides command-line note storage with books, search, and configurable editing. Its local-first design and optional self-hosted server suit technical users comfortable managing their own tools.
Who it suits
Dnote suits people who prefer terminal-based note capture and locally stored SQLite notebooks. It also fits users who want optional self-hosted synchronization and API access.
Plans and prices
Dnote
Free and open source; self-hosted server is optional
Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
On the record
- API
- The self-hosted server provides a REST API for syncing and accessing notes and books.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The self-hosted server can run through Docker Compose, Docker, or as a standalone binary.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Editor
- Dnote works with the user's configured text editor, including terminal and GUI editors.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The API can be accessed from any HTTP client, and the CLI can accept piped input from standard input.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- Dnote is free and open source software licensed under Apache License 2.0.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Notes are organized into books, which are created automatically when you add the first note to them.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Product scope
- The maker says it removed the web note-taking interface and focuses on the command-line interface.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Dnote is a terminal-based notebook for saving commands, snippets, and insights and finding them later with full-text search.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- Dnote's end-to-end encryption feature was removed; the maker says the removal restored full-text search on the web, embedded notes in emails, and password recovery.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Storage
- The CLI stores its data in a SQLite database, and its configuration and data paths follow the XDG Base Directory convention.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker's documentation links to GitHub for the project and documentation feedback.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Sync
- Users can optionally run a self-hosted server to sync notes across devices.getdnote.com · read 8 Oct 2026
