Work without waiting for a connection
Core notes, tasks, search and organization run locally. A slow network, airplane mode or a service interruption does not have to block access to your own thinking.
Local-first Markdown notes
Your notes stay yours.
Ariv keeps your notes in ordinary Markdown files on your device, works offline and opens existing vaults without migration. You get a capable second brain without giving up ownership.
Works offline
Plain Markdown
No forced migration
~/notes/my-vault
Your vaultlocal + readable
daily/2026-08-07.md
projects/ariv.md
ideas/second-brain.md
attachments/sketch.png
Offline readyOpen with any Markdown editor
Your device is primaryCore use does not depend on a server round-trip
Your format is portableNotes remain readable Markdown files
Your services are optionalAdd sync or AI only when they help
Local-first, in practical terms
The app adds value around your notes. It does not become their owner.
Local-first is not just a privacy label. It changes whether your notes remain available, portable and useful when the network or the company behind the software is not.
Keep the primary copy on your device
On desktop, your vault is a folder you choose. Notes and attachments stay there as files you can back up, inspect and open outside Ariv.
Add cloud services instead of depending on them
Managed sync and AI are optional services. The core note system remains useful without turning either service on.
A format that outlives the app
Plain Markdown keeps the exit door open.
Markdown is readable text. It does not require a proprietary database or special export before another tool can understand it.
- Open notes in Ariv, Obsidian, iA Writer or an ordinary text editor.
- Back up the vault with familiar file and folder tools.
- Keep attachments as normal files beside your notes.
- Use folders, tags and wikilinks without a one-way conversion.
# Product direction
Updated: 2026-08-07
Ariv should be opinionated about
outcomes, not folder structure.
- [ ] Test the Android capture flow
- [x] Keep files in plain Markdown
Related: [[Second brain research]]
product-direction.md · readable inside or outside Ariv
No migration project
Open the vault you already have.
Point Ariv on desktop at an existing folder of Markdown notes. It reads the files as they are, preserves your folders and adds useful views around them.
- No import wizard, duplicate library or proprietary conversion.
- Existing folders, Markdown links, tags and attachments remain in place.
- You can try Ariv while continuing to use another Markdown editor.
- Ariv's lifecycle and automatic organization do not move or rename your notes.
Local does not have to mean bare-bones
Ownership and a complete workflow can coexist.
Ariv uses local files as the foundation, then builds the everyday parts of a personal knowledge system around them.
Fast capture
Quick notes, voice memos and tasks have a defined place to land without requiring a folder decision in the moment.
Tasks in Markdown
Write ordinary checkboxes in your notes, then work with them through dedicated task and Kanban views.
Automatic lifecycle
Recent work stays visible while older notes move into the background without being deleted, hidden or relocated.
Search and connections
Find notes through titles, full text, tags, backlinks and visual maps without changing the underlying file format.
AI on your terms
Run a local model, bring your own provider key, use managed AI or leave AI off. The choice is separate from your ability to take notes.
Optional encrypted sync
Use Ariv's managed sync when you want convenience across devices. Local use remains available without it.
Available now
Local-first notes wherever you think.
Ariv is available on Android, Mac and Windows. Use mobile for capture and desktop for the full vault workflow.
Android
Carry notes, tasks, captures, attachments and voice memos with you.
Get it on Google PlayMac
Choose a local Markdown folder and use Ariv as a complete desktop workspace.
Download for MacWindows
Keep the same file ownership and full desktop feature set on Windows.
Download for WindowsCommon questions
About local-first Markdown notes
What does local-first mean for a notes app?
Local-first means the primary copy of your notes lives on your device and remains useful without a network connection. Cloud services can be added for convenience, but they are not required for the app to function.
Where does Ariv store my notes?
On desktop, Ariv works with a normal folder of Markdown files on your device. You choose the folder, and Ariv does not move or rename your notes.
Can Ariv open an Obsidian vault?
Yes. Ariv can open an existing Obsidian vault as a folder of Markdown files. There is no import or one-way conversion, and you can continue using other Markdown tools with the same files.
Does Ariv work offline?
Yes. Core note-taking, tasks, search and organization work locally. Optional cloud sync and third-party AI providers need a network connection when used.
Do I have to use AI with my notes?
No. AI is optional. You can leave it off, use a local model, bring your own provider key or choose Ariv's managed AI service.
Can I leave Ariv later?
Yes. Your desktop vault remains a folder of Markdown files and attachments that other compatible tools can open. There is no special export required to recover readable copies of your notes.
Go deeper
A local foundation, with less to maintain.
Keep the files. Add the second brain.
Try Ariv on Android, Mac or Windows. Your notes remain portable, readable and under your control.