NoteGen is an open-source, cross-platform note-taking application designed for developers, researchers, and knowledge workers who struggle with fragmented ideas. Built with TypeScript, Tauri, and Next.js, it bridges the gap between casual note recording and structured knowledge management by leveraging AI to automatically organize raw input into coherent, well-structured Markdown notes. Unlike traditional note apps that require manual structuring, NoteGen uses Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and MCP-based AI agents to process unstructured recordings — whether from voice, typing, or copied text — and turn them into readable, searchable knowledge entries. The app is lightweight (25MB), ad-free, and completely free to use with built-in AI and sync capabilities.
NoteGen is ideal for users who capture ideas on the go and want them automatically transformed into organized, context-aware notes without manual editing. Its native Markdown storage ensures portability and compatibility with existing workflows, while integrations with SiliconFlow and other AI providers enable powerful in-app intelligence without requiring external tools or subscriptions.
What You Get
- Cross-platform Markdown notes - NoteGen supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS with native desktop and mobile apps, storing all notes in plain Markdown files for portability and version control compatibility.
- AI-powered note organization - Automatically transforms fragmented recordings (voice or text) into structured, coherent notes using RAG and LLMs — no manual formatting required.
- Built-in RAG support - Uses Retrieval-Augmented Generation to enhance note context and accuracy by retrieving relevant prior notes during AI processing, improving recall and reasoning.
- MCP-based AI agent integration - Enables dynamic interaction with external AI tools and plugins for automated note summarization, tagging, or linking without leaving the app.
- Real-time AI dialogue - Chat with your notes in-context; ask questions about recorded content to deepen understanding and extract insights directly from your knowledge base.
- Free AI and sync solutions - No paywalls; integrates with SiliconFlow for free LLM access and supports WebDAV for self-hosted cloud sync of your Markdown files.
- Lightweight and ad-free - Only 25MB in size, with no tracking or advertisements — designed for privacy-focused users who want AI power without bloat.
Common Use Cases
- Building a personal knowledge base from lectures or meetings - Record voice notes during classes or team syncs; NoteGen auto-organizes them into structured, searchable Markdown files with summaries and key points extracted by AI.
- Managing research notes across papers or sources - Researchers paste snippets from PDFs or web articles into NoteGen, which links related concepts using RAG and generates bibliographic references automatically.
- Problem → Solution flow: Disorganized ideas → Structured documentation - A developer jots down bug fixes and code snippets in a hurry during debugging; later, NoteGen reorganizes these into a clean, annotated troubleshooting guide with tags and related references.
- Team workflow: Remote developers using WebDAV for shared knowledge - A dev team stores all project documentation in a self-hosted WebDAV server, using NoteGen to collaboratively edit and enhance notes with AI summaries while maintaining Markdown version history.
Under The Hood
This project is a sophisticated Next.js-powered web application that integrates AI agent orchestration with rich markdown editing capabilities, targeting developers and content creators who need a unified, extensible interface for interactive workflows. It combines modern frontend frameworks with Tauri for desktop deployment and leverages specialized tools for performance and modularity.
Architecture
This codebase adopts a monolithic yet modular architecture, emphasizing structured component hierarchies and well-defined core modules.
- Follows a clear separation of concerns with distinct layers for UI, logic, and data handling
- Implements a component-driven structure that supports scalable and maintainable development
- Demonstrates strong modularity through organized directory structures and reusable patterns
Tech Stack
Built with TypeScript and Next.js, the project leverages modern web technologies for a responsive and performant user experience.
- Employs React 19 and Tauri for cross-platform desktop functionality and enhanced UI interactivity
- Integrates a rich ecosystem of UI libraries including Radix UI, Tailwind CSS, and Lucide React
- Utilizes Turbopack for fast development cycles and Tauri CLI for desktop packaging and deployment
Code Quality
The codebase reflects a moderate level of quality with consistent patterns and some technical debt indicators.
- Features a mix of error handling strategies and limited end-to-end test coverage
- Shows evidence of linting and type safety through TypeScript usage and ESLint configuration
- Maintains a structured component architecture but lacks comprehensive integration testing
What Makes It Unique
This project stands out through its unique fusion of AI-driven workflows and markdown editing, enabling powerful content creation and automation.
- Combines fuzzy search powered by Rust with vector caching for optimized performance
- Supports modular skill management and MCP protocol integration for extensible AI capabilities
- Integrates rich markdown editing with real-time AI agent orchestration in a single unified interface