outl
outl is a local-first outliner and bullet-point note-taking app that saves notes as plain Markdown files on disk.
What outl is
outl is a local-first outliner and bullet-point note-taking app that saves notes as plain Markdown files on disk. It supports nested blocks, wiki-style links, backlinks, tags, and a daily journal. Stable block IDs and other metadata are stored separately from the Markdown notes. Notes can be edited offline, and devices on the same Wi-Fi can sync directly without internet; device-to-device syncing uses end-to-end encryption and requires no account or cloud. Markdown code blocks can run Python, JavaScript, Lua, and Rust, with Lisp available behind a build flag. Its MCP server lets compatible hosts such as 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. outl is pre-1.0, and downloads are described as public beta. The optional Docker deployment can keep an always-on peer with a full replica of notes. The app is free under the MIT license.
Good
- Notes stay as plain Markdown on disk.
- Offline editing is supported.
- Same-Wi-Fi syncing works without internet.
- No account or cloud is required for syncing.
- Free under the MIT license.
Watch out
- The product is pre-1.0 public beta.
- The macOS desktop DMG is currently unsigned.
- Real-time collaboration is not supported.
- iOS and Android builds are beta versions.
Who it suits
outl may suit people who want local Markdown notes, offline editing, and direct peer-to-peer syncing. It also offers tools for users who want to connect local notes to compatible AI hosts or run code blocks.
Verdict
outl offers a free, local-first approach to outlining, with offline access and encrypted peer syncing. Its beta status and unsigned macOS download are notable considerations.
Plans and prices
From outl's own pricing page, checked 3 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | No paid tier · MIT licensed |
| Free forever | Free | open-source app · no account · no paid tier · free forever |
The facts
Each one read from outl's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Beta status
- The product is pre-1.0; its download page describes the builds as public beta.checked 3 Oct 2026
- CLI and automation
- One outl binary provides commands for scripts, cron, CI, editor integrations, and LLM agents with a stable JSON response envelope.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Code execution
- Fenced blocks can run JavaScript, Python, Lua, and Rust, with Lisp available behind a build flag.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Daily journals
- Daily journals are a first-class workspace feature.checked 15 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Desktop availability
- Native desktop packages are available for macOS and Linux; the Windows GUI is still being developed while CLI/TUI binaries are available.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Documentation covers installation, CLI commands, imports, MCP, plugins, synchronization, architecture, privacy, and development.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Import integrations
- Import adapters support Roam JSON backups, Logseq graph directories, and Obsidian vaults.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Install limitation
- The macOS desktop DMG and Windows installer are currently unsigned, producing Gatekeeper or SmartScreen warnings.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License
- The source code is released under the MIT License.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: missing features
- An independent discussion reports that query DSL support is still forthcoming and PDF highlighting is not on the roadmap.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: open issues
- The issue tracker lists missing external capture, graph collection view, aliases, backlink filtering, property history, and incomplete importer handling.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: project maturity
- The same independent discussion characterizes the project as early and still under development.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Links and backlinks
- Wiki-links, backlinks, tags, and page references are supported.checked 15 Oct 2026
- LLM integrations
- Its MCP server lets compatible hosts including Claude, Cursor, Zed, and ChatGPT read and write local notes.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Markdown format
- Stable block IDs live in sidecar files, keeping UUIDs and other metadata out of Markdown notes.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Markdown storage
- Markdown remains clean and human-editable; stable block identifiers are stored in adjacent .outl sidecar files.checked 15 Oct 2026
- MCP integration
- The bundled MCP server exposes page, block, journal, search, query, tag, backlink, property, and export tools to MCP hosts.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Mobile availability
- iOS is distributed through public TestFlight and Android through sideloaded APK beta releases rather than official app stores.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Notable news
- The project blog records September 2026 fixes for Lua sandbox access, mDNS discovery, and a duplicate-create/undo tree bug.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Offline LAN sync
- mDNS or Bonjour discovery allows direct synchronization on the same network without internet access.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Company facts
- No headquarters, legal corporate entity, funding information, or founded year is stated on the maker's pages or the maintainer profile.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The project is maintained by Thiago Avelino and states that there is no company behind outl.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
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