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Dnote

getdnote.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.2 #11 of 25 in Notebook Software

What it is

Dnote is a free, open-source terminal notebook for storing commands, snippets, and insights, then locating them with full-text search. It runs locally on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with an API platform option and self-hosted deployment. Notes live in books; Dnote creates a book automatically when its first note is added. Editing uses the text editor configured on your system, whether terminal-based or graphical. The command-line client stores data in SQLite and follows the XDG Base Directory convention for configuration and data paths. You can optionally run a self-hosted server to synchronize notes between devices. That server exposes a REST API for notes and books, reachable from any HTTP client, while the CLI accepts standard-input piping. Deployment options include Docker Compose, Docker, or a standalone binary. The web note-taking interface was removed, and end-to-end encryption was removed according to the maker.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Dnote is a terminal-based notebook for saving commands, snippets, and insights and finding them later with full-text search.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Platforms
The CLI has prebuilt binaries for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and the site also lists FreeBSD binaries.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Deployment
The self-hosted server can run through Docker Compose, Docker, or as a standalone binary.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
API
The self-hosted server provides a REST API for syncing and accessing notes and books.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Integrations
The API can be accessed from any HTTP client, and the CLI can accept piped input from standard input.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
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.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Support
The maker's documentation links to GitHub for the project and documentation feedback.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
License
Dnote is free and open source software licensed under Apache License 2.0.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Founded
2017Read 28 Sep 2026 · getdnote.com
Editor
Dnote works with the user's configured text editor, including terminal and GUI editors.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Organization
Notes are organized into books, which are created automatically when you add the first note to them.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Product scope
The maker says it removed the web note-taking interface and focuses on the command-line interface.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Storage
The CLI stores its data in a SQLite database, and its configuration and data paths follow the XDG Base Directory convention.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com
Sync
Users can optionally run a self-hosted server to sync notes across devices.Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com

Plans and prices

Dnote Free Free and open source; self-hosted server is optional Read 8 Oct 2026 · getdnote.com

Every Dnote plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source under Apache License 2.0
  • Full-text search for commands, snippets, and insights
  • Works with terminal or graphical text editors
  • Optional self-hosted synchronization across devices
  • REST API and standard-input integration

Limits

  • Web note-taking interface has been removed
  • End-to-end encryption feature was removed
  • Self-hosted synchronization requires running a server

Who it suits

Dnote suits people who keep technical notes from a terminal and want local SQLite storage. It also fits users willing to operate an optional self-hosted sync server.

Verdict

Dnote centers note-taking on a command-line workflow with local SQLite storage and configurable editors. Its optional server, REST API, and container deployment provide synchronization and integration without changing that local-first scope.

Where Specifiction places it

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