Plain .md files
A vault is a folder. Sync with Git, iCloud, Dropbox, or nothing. No hidden database.
- hjkl
- diw
- ci"
- gg
- G
- ⎵n
- ⌃wv
- :
Vim-native
If you know Vim,
If you know Vim,
you already know it.
Motions, operators, registers, marks, macros, folds, the ex prompt. Everything behaves the way you expect.
diw
Delete inner word
ci"
Change in quotes
yap
Yank a paragraph
⌃wv
Vertical split
qa … @a
Record & replay macro
⎵n
New note
Markdown, fully lived-in
Write rich notes
Write rich notes
in plain files.
Math, diagrams, and plots render from ordinary fenced blocks. The source stays diffable, portable, and yours.
Read the docs →# Gradient descent
Minimise $f(\theta)$ by stepping
against its gradient:
```math
\theta_{t+1} = \theta_t - \eta\nabla f(\theta_t)
```
```mermaid
flowchart LR
start --> step --> check
check --> step
check --> done
```Gradient descent
Minimise f(θ) by stepping against its gradient:
θt+1 = θt − η ∇f(θt)
MCP
Your vault,
Your vault,
open to assistants.
A bundled MCP server wires ZenNotes into Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Codex. They read and write the same notes you do — on disk.
> Summarize my notes tagged #graphics
tool zennotes.search_by_tag "graphics"
→ 4 notes found
Across four notes you’re circling one idea: SDFs give cheap implicit geometry, and anti-aliased coverage falls out almost for free…
> ▍
The tools writers, researchers, and
tinkerers actually reach for.
Plain
Split, preview, reference
Edit, preview, and split side-by-side in one workspace. Pin a reference pane or detach a note into its own window.
Math & diagrams
KaTeX math inline and in blocks. Mermaid, TikZ (on-device), JSXGraph, and function-plot render from fenced code.
Tasks, tags, backlinks
Write #tag anywhere. Check - [ ] tasks across the vault. Follow [[wikilinks]] and unresolved links.
Vault-wide search
Full-text that uses ripgrep or fzf when available, and falls back to the built-in engine.
Slash & @ shortcuts
Type / for a slash menu of headings, callouts, code blocks, tables, links. Type @ for dates.
Zen mode
One keystroke strips every sidebar, tab, and status bar. Only the editor, preview, or split stays visible.
Themes & type
Theme families, light and dark, independent fonts for UI, text, and code. Adjustable editor sizing.
Capture. Write. Find.
Without lifting your hands.
-
01
Capture
A fresh Quick Note, a seeded daily note, or a new inbox buffer — one keystroke from anywhere.
⎵q -
02
Write
Live preview renders math, diagrams, and plots as you type. Stay in normal mode; edit with motions.
i -
03
Navigate
Fuzzy note finder, outline jumps, buffer switching, and which-key overlays — all vim-native.
⎵f -
04
Organize
Move between inbox, archive, and trash with ex commands. Tasks, tags, and backlinks stay in sync.
:mv