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outl

outl.app

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidAPI
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Spec score 8.5 #8 of 31 in Outliner Software

What it is

outl is a free, local-first outliner and bullet-point note app that stores plain Markdown files on disk. Its nested blocks, wiki-style links, backlinks, tags, and daily journal support structured note-taking. Stable block IDs and metadata are kept in sidecar files rather than the Markdown notes. Notes can be edited offline, and devices on the same Wi-Fi can sync directly without internet; device syncing uses peer-to-peer end-to-end encryption and does not require an account or cloud. Markdown code blocks can run Python, JavaScript, Lua, and Rust, with Lisp available behind a build flag. An MCP server lets compatible hosts including Claude, Cursor, Zed, and ChatGPT read and write local notes. Native desktop builds are listed for macOS, Linux, and Windows, alongside iOS TestFlight and Android APK beta builds. The product is pre-1.0, and the download page describes builds as public beta. The macOS desktop DMG is currently unsigned. An optional Docker deployment can run an always-on peer with a full replica of notes. Export formats include Markdown, JSON, and Hugo; navigation includes search, a fuzzy switcher, and a command palette.

Spec sheet

What it does
outl is a local-first Markdown outliner and daily-journal application whose tree data is synchronized between devices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Product
outl is a local-first outliner and bullet-point note-taking app that stores plain Markdown on disk.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Privacy
The project says it collects no note data, operates no backend, and has no account, sign-in, advertising, crash-reporting, or third-party analytics SDK in the apps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Support
Users are directed to Discord for questions and GitHub issues for bugs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
License
The source code is released under the MIT License.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Maker
The project is maintained by Thiago Avelino and states that there is no company behind outl.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Beta status
The product is pre-1.0; its download page describes the builds as public beta.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
CLI and automation
One outl binary provides commands for scripts, cron, CI, editor integrations, and LLM agents with a stable JSON response envelope.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Code execution
Fenced blocks can run JavaScript, Python, Lua, and Rust, with Lisp available behind a build flag.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Company facts
No headquarters, legal corporate entity, funding information, or founded year is stated on the maker's pages or the maintainer profile.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Daily journals
Daily journals are a first-class workspace feature.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Data handling
The maker says the CLI and iOS app have no telemetry and notes stay on the user's device; the website uses Google Analytics for aggregate traffic statistics.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Desktop availability
Native desktop packages are available for macOS and Linux; the Windows GUI is still being developed while CLI/TUI binaries are available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Documentation
Documentation covers installation, CLI commands, imports, MCP, plugins, synchronization, architecture, privacy, and development.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Import integrations
Import adapters support Roam JSON backups, Logseq graph directories, and Obsidian vaults.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Install limitation
The macOS desktop DMG and Windows installer are currently unsigned, producing Gatekeeper or SmartScreen warnings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Limit: Android distribution
The project repository states that Android uses signed arm64 APK sideloads and is not distributed through Google Play; signing-key changes can require uninstalling an older build.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: missing features
An independent discussion reports that query DSL support is still forthcoming and PDF highlighting is not on the roadmap.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: open issues
The issue tracker lists missing external capture, graph collection view, aliases, backlink filtering, property history, and incomplete importer handling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: project maturity
The same independent discussion characterizes the project as early and still under development.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Links and backlinks
Wiki-links, backlinks, tags, and page references are supported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
LLM integrations
Its MCP server lets compatible hosts including Claude, Cursor, Zed, and ChatGPT read and write local notes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Markdown format
Stable block IDs live in sidecar files, keeping UUIDs and other metadata out of Markdown notes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Markdown storage
Markdown remains clean and human-editable; stable block identifiers are stored in adjacent .outl sidecar files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
MCP integration
The bundled MCP server exposes page, block, journal, search, query, tag, backlink, property, and export tools to MCP hosts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Mobile availability
iOS is distributed through public TestFlight and Android through sideloaded APK beta releases rather than official app stores.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Notable news
The project blog records September 2026 fixes for Lua sandbox access, mDNS discovery, and a duplicate-create/undo tree bug.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Offline LAN sync
mDNS or Bonjour discovery allows direct synchronization on the same network without internet access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Offline use
Notes can be edited without a network connection, and devices on the same Wi-Fi can sync directly without internet access.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Outliner features
The app includes nested blocks, wiki-style links, backlinks, tags, and a first-class daily journal.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Outlining
The product provides block-level outlining, indentation, folding, and Vim-style navigation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Planned feature
A visual graph view is listed as planned, while the JavaScript plugin system is still beta.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Platform availability
Native builds are listed for macOS, Linux, and Windows, with iOS TestFlight and Android APK beta builds.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Plugin limitation
The documented plugin SDK targets API 1.0, but the runtime implements only a subset of the typed surface and some sync features lack a client driver.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plugin SDK
Plugins use a JavaScript/TypeScript SDK with manifests, commands, keybindings, content transformers, network permissions, secrets, and storage APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: overall concept
Independent commenters describe outl as promising, say its syncing model is very promising, and call it an outliner they had wanted for a long time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Release status
The project describes itself as pre-1.0 beta software with rough edges and says stable Homebrew installation is planned for version 1.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Security detail
The maker says the macOS desktop DMG is currently unsigned and signing and notarisation are planned for version 1.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Security trade-off
Notes are encrypted in transit during peer sync but remain plaintext at rest, and a paired peer receives full read/write access to the graph.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Self-host option
An optional Docker deployment can run outl serve as an always-on peer holding a full replica of the notes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Self-hosting
An optional Docker-based always-on peer can run on hardware the user controls and stores a full replica.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Sync
Devices sync peer-to-peer with end-to-end encryption; the maker says no account or cloud is required.Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Sync limitation
The sync documentation says concurrent moves may silently choose one result, text undo can be partial, and conflict surfacing is not yet implemented.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Sync technology
Peer synchronization uses a tree CRDT with per-device append-only operation logs and iroh encrypted transport.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app
System requirements
Building from source requires Rust 1.88 or newer; Windows GUI installers target Windows 10/11 x86_64 and require WebView2.Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app

Plans and prices

Free Free No paid tier · MIT licensed Read 3 Oct 2026 · outl.app
Free forever Free free forever open-source app · no account · no paid tier Read 15 Oct 2026 · outl.app

Every outl plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under the MIT license
  • Notes remain editable offline
  • Peer-to-peer sync uses end-to-end encryption
  • Supports backlinks and daily journaling
  • Exports Markdown, JSON, and Hugo

Limits

  • Product is pre-1.0 public beta
  • macOS desktop DMG is unsigned
  • Real-time collaboration is not supported
  • Lisp execution requires a build flag

Who it suits

outl suits people who want local Markdown notes, offline access, and encrypted device-to-device syncing. It may also fit developers who want runnable code blocks or compatible AI hosts to work with local notes.

Verdict

outl combines local Markdown files with outlining, linking, and offline peer syncing. Its pre-1.0 beta status and unsigned macOS DMG are important considerations before choosing it.

Where Specifiction places it

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