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MindSpark

github.com

Free plan WebLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit github.com
Spec score 8.4 #2 of 18 in Nintendo DS Emulators

What it is

MindSpark is an open-source mind-mapping app that runs in a browser or can be self-hosted. Its editor combines an infinite canvas with automatic layouts, keyboard-first editing, drag-and-drop reordering, search, presentation mode, and undo and redo. A Markdown outline and the map canvas stay synchronized as users edit either view. Research tools can fill citation details from Crossref using a DOI and export cited nodes as a references list. Users can compile a map branch into a prompt, estimate its tokens, and run it with their own Anthropic or OpenAI API key. MindSpark imports JSON, OPML, Markdown, GitMind, and MindMeister files, and exports PNG, PDF, JSON, Markdown, Word, and Mermaid. Self-hosted mode stores maps in SQLite and requires Node.js 22 or later; browser mode saves maps as private JSON files in a repository on GitHub, Gitea, Forgejo, or GitLab. The app is free with no feature gates or usage limits and is released under the MIT license.

Spec sheet

Purpose
MindSpark is an open-source mind-mapping app that runs in the browser and can be self-hosted.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Product
MindSpark is an open-source mind-mapping app that stores maps locally or in a private repository owned by the user.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audience
The maker describes MindSpark as built for researchers and engineers, with research, prompt-engineering, and software-engineering templates.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported platforms
web,self_hostedRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Integrations
The project describes a separate MCP server for connecting MindSpark with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, ChatGPT, and other MCP-compatible clients.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security
The maker says browser tokens are stored in localStorage and sent only to the selected git host, with a Content-Security-Policy restricting scripts and network destinations.Read 8 Oct 2026 · mindspark.githubpage.workers.dev
Privacy
In browser mode, maps are saved as private JSON files in the user's own repository, and the app says there is no server in between.Read 8 Oct 2026 · mindspark.githubpage.workers.dev
License
MindSpark is released under the MIT license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
AI assistance
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
AI features
Users can compile a map branch into a prompt, estimate tokens, and run it against Anthropic or OpenAI using their own API key.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
AI workflows
Users can compile a map branch into a prompt and run it with their own Anthropic or OpenAI API key.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Collaboration
Real-time collaboration, editable shared links, and identity-based access controls require the optional cloud worker.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data storage
Self-hosted mode stores maps in SQLite, while browser cloud mode saves maps as JSON files in the user's private repository.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Deployment limit
The GitHub Pages deployment uses personal access token sign-in and does not provide OAuth or live collaboration.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Editing
The editor includes an infinite canvas, keyboard-first editing, automatic layout, drag-and-drop reordering, and multiple layout options.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Export formats
PNG,PDF,JSON,Markdown/text,Word (.doc),MermaidRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Git hosts
The app supports GitHub, Gitea, Forgejo, and GitLab for storing maps in repository-backed mode.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Import and export
MindSpark imports JSON, OPML, Markdown, GitMind, and MindMeister files and exports formats including PNG, PDF, Word, and Mermaid.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Imports and exports
MindSpark imports JSON, OPML, Markdown, GitMind, and MindMeister files, and exports formats including PNG, PDF, JSON, Markdown, Word, and Mermaid.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Markdown
Its Markdown outline and mind-map canvas stay synchronized live in both directions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mind mapping
The editor provides an infinite canvas, automatic layout, multiple layouts, map search, presentation mode, and undo and redo.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Offline mode
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Presentation mode
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Pricing and limits
The README describes the app as free with no feature gates or usage limits; the static deployment is listed at $0 and the Worker deployment at $0 on Cloudflare's free tier.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Real-time collaboration
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Research features
Citation tools can autofill citation details from Crossref using a DOI, and cited nodes can be exported as a references list.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-host requirements
The self-hosted quick start requires Node.js 22 or later and runs with `node server.js`.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-hosting
Self-hosting requires Node.js 22 or later and starts with `node server.js`; the app uses SQLite in this mode.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Token scope limit
The maker notes GitHub fine-grained tokens can be limited to one repository, while Gitea, Forgejo, and GitLab tokens are account-wide.Read 8 Oct 2026 · mindspark.githubpage.workers.dev
Token security
The maker says browser-stored access tokens are kept in localStorage and sent only to the selected Git host; GitHub fine-grained tokens can be limited to one repository.Read 8 Oct 2026 · mindspark.githubpage.workers.dev

Plans and prices

Free Free $0 forever No accounts · no paywalls · no feature gates · no usage limits Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every MindSpark plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Markdown outline and canvas stay synchronized.
  • Imports and exports include several formats.
  • Maps can be stored in a private repository.
  • Free with no feature gates or usage limits.
  • MIT licensed.

Limits

  • Self-hosting requires Node.js 22 or later.
  • Collaboration features require the optional cloud worker.
  • GitHub Pages does not provide OAuth or live collaboration.
  • Browser-stored tokens use localStorage.

Who it suits

MindSpark is aimed at researchers and engineers who want to map ideas, work with citations, or shape prompts. It suits people comfortable with repository-backed storage or self-hosting.

Verdict

MindSpark pairs flexible mapping and research features with repository-based storage and self-hosting. Check the deployment requirements first: collaboration depends on an optional cloud worker, and the GitHub Pages deployment lacks live collaboration and OAuth.

Where Specifiction places it

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