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TreeLine
What it is
TreeLine organizes information as a tree in which each node can hold fields that work like a small database. It is intended for material such as book and movie lists, contacts, website logins, and to-do items. A file can contain several node types, each with its own fields and formatting. Fields support plain and rich text, HTML, numbers, dates, times, booleans, and URLs. Users can expand or collapse the tree, navigate with breadcrumbs, search node data, or filter matches into a flat view. Node output can appear on screen, be printed, or be exported to HTML. TreeLine files use JSON and may be compressed or encrypted automatically. Import and export options include plain text, delimited tables, older TreeLine files, Mozilla and XBEL bookmarks, generic XML, and ODF text outlines; listed exports also include CSV, PDF, and tab-indented text. TreeLine is free under GNU GPL v2 or later and supports offline use. It runs on Windows and Linux, with a third-party MacPorts version available for macOS, which the project does not formally support.
For and against
For
- Organizes information as trees with configurable node fields.
- Supports text, dates, numbers, URLs, and other data types.
- Search and filtering help locate matching nodes.
- Imports and exports several text, bookmark, and document formats.
- Free software with offline access.
Against
- macOS is not formally supported by the project.
- Linux installation requires Python, Qt, and PyQt versions.
- Spell checking requires an external program.
The verdict
TreeLine combines hierarchical organization with database-like fields, search, filtering, and a broad set of import and export options. Its macOS status and Linux prerequisites are worth considering before choosing it.
Who it suits
TreeLine may suit people who want to organize varied lists, contacts, logins, or tasks in a structured offline file. It is also relevant for users who need multiple data types, search, filtering, and export options.
Plans and prices
TreeLine
GNU GPL v2 or later · no warranty stated
Read 7 Oct 2026 · treeline.bellz.org
On the record
- Data types
- It supports plain text, rich text, HTML, numbers, dates, times, booleans, and URLs.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- File formats
- TreeLine files use JSON and can be automatically compressed or encrypted.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Import and export
- It can import and export plain text, delimited tables, older TreeLine files, Mozilla and XBEL bookmarks, generic XML, and ODF text outlines.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The site describes TreeLine as useful for organizing information such as lists of books, movies, website logins, contacts, and things to do.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Linux
- Linux installation uses the source package and requires Python 3.9 or higher, Qt 6.4 or higher, and PyQt 6.4 or higher.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- macOS
- The site says macOS is not formally supported due to a lack of Macs for testing and points to a third-party MacPorts version.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- Yestreeline.bellz.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Organization
- A file can include several node types with different sets of fields, and each node type can have its own format.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Output
- Node output can be shown on screen, printed, or exported to HTML.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TreeLine stores information in a tree structure, with fields on each node forming a mini-database.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Search and filtering
- Find commands search node data, and filtering commands show matching nodes in a flat view.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Spell checking
- Spell checking requires an external program: aspell, ispell, or hunspell.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Doug Bell welcomes feedback, bug reports, and suggestions by email, and the site points TreeLine users to a mailing list.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Windows
- The site says TreeLine should run on computers using Windows 10 or 11 and provides all-user and single-user installers.treeline.bellz.org · read 7 Oct 2026
