# Lokus

> Category: Personal Knowledge Management (PKM)
> Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux
> Tech Stack: Tauri v2 + Rust (backend) + React 19 (frontend)
> Website: https://lokusmd.com
> GitHub: https://github.com/lokus-ai/lokus
> Documentation: https://docs.lokusmd.com
> Download: https://github.com/lokus-ai/lokus/releases

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## What is Lokus?

Lokus is a personal knowledge OS for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It is built on a local-first architecture, meaning all notes are stored as plain markdown files on the user's device. Lokus does not require an internet connection and does not transmit user data to any server.

Lokus is designed for users who want to build a structured, interlinked collection of notes and ideas. It provides a markdown editor, bidirectional wiki links, a graph visualization of note connections, an infinite canvas for spatial thinking, and a template system with over 90 features. The application is built with Tauri v2 (Rust) for the backend and React 19 for the frontend, resulting in native performance across all supported platforms.

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## Technical Specifications

### Architecture
- **Backend**: Tauri v2 with Rust for file system operations, search indexing, and native OS integration
- **Frontend**: React 19 with TypeScript for the user interface
- **Rendering**: WebView (native OS webview, not bundled Chromium)
- **Build system**: Vite for frontend bundling, Cargo for Rust compilation

### Performance
- **RAM usage**: ~50MB typical (varies with vault size)
- **Download size**: ~10MB installer (platform-dependent)
- **Startup time**: Sub-second on modern hardware
- **Search**: Indexed full-text search across all notes
- **File watching**: Native OS file watcher for external changes

### File Format
- Plain markdown (.md) files with optional YAML frontmatter
- Standard [[wiki link]] syntax
- Files stored in user-chosen directory (no proprietary database)
- UTF-8 encoding

### Supported Platforms
- macOS: Apple Silicon (arm64) and Intel (x86_64), macOS 11+
- Windows: x86_64, Windows 10+
- Linux: x86_64, AppImage and .deb formats

### Plugin System
- JavaScript/TypeScript plugin API
- Sandboxed execution environment
- Access to note content, metadata, and UI extension points
- Installable from built-in marketplace

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## Core Features

### Markdown Editor
- Full CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown support
- Live preview with syntax highlighting
- Code blocks with language detection
- Tables, task lists, math (LaTeX/KaTeX), and footnotes
- Slash commands for quick formatting
- Split-pane editing (source + preview)
- Vim keybindings option
- Focus mode for distraction-free writing

### Wiki Links & Backlinks
- Bidirectional linking with [[wiki link]] syntax
- Automatic backlink detection and display
- Unlinked mentions panel
- Link auto-completion while typing
- Compatible with standard markdown vault formats
- Alias support for links
- Header and block linking

### Graph View
- 2D graph visualization of all note connections
- 3D graph visualization with spatial navigation
- Filter by tags, folders, or link depth
- Node coloring by folder or tag
- Real-time updates as notes are linked or unlinked
- Click-to-navigate from graph nodes to notes
- Adjustable physics simulation parameters
- Local graph view for individual notes

### Infinite Canvas
- Unlimited whiteboard space for visual thinking
- Drag and drop notes onto the canvas
- Draw connections between cards
- Freeform text, shapes, and annotations
- Zoom and pan navigation
- Export canvas as image
- Multiple canvases per vault

### Template System
- 90+ template features including variables, conditionals, and loops
- Date/time variables with formatting (moment.js compatible)
- Daily note templates with automatic creation
- Weekly and monthly note templates
- Custom template creation with template editor
- Template inheritance and composition
- Frontmatter variable support
- Cursor positioning in templates
- Dynamic content insertion

### Plugin Marketplace
- Community-built plugins for extended functionality
- Plugin API for developers
- Install and manage plugins from within the app
- Theme plugins for custom appearance
- Syntax plugins for additional markdown extensions
- One-click install and update

### Additional Features
- Custom themes with live theme editor
- Works offline
- File-over-app philosophy (plain markdown files)
- Folder-based organization with drag-and-drop
- Tag system with nested tags (#parent/child)
- Full-text search across all notes with regex support
- Command palette for quick actions (Ctrl/Cmd+P)
- Keyboard shortcuts for all major operations
- Frontmatter/YAML metadata support
- PDF and image embedding
- Mermaid diagram rendering
- File attachment management
- Note versioning via Git integration
- Export to PDF, HTML
- Import from markdown files

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## User Profiles

### Students
Lokus is used by students for lecture notes, research organization, and study material management. The wiki link system allows connecting concepts across courses. The template system supports consistent note-taking formats. The graph view helps visualize relationships between topics during exam preparation. The offline capability is useful in libraries and lecture halls without reliable internet.

### Researchers
Researchers use Lokus for literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, and connecting findings across papers. The backlink system surfaces unexpected connections between research threads. The Zettelkasten method is fully supported for building a long-term knowledge repository. Plain markdown files ensure research notes remain accessible regardless of future software changes.

### Developers
Developers use Lokus for technical documentation, code snippet management, and project knowledge bases. The markdown-native format integrates with existing Git workflows. The template system supports consistent documentation patterns. The plugin API allows developers to extend Lokus for their specific needs.

### Writers
Writers use Lokus for world-building, character development, outlining, and manuscript drafting. The infinite canvas supports visual story planning. Wiki links connect character profiles, locations, plot points, and research material. The distraction-free focus mode and offline capability support deep writing sessions.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What platforms does Lokus run on?**
A: Lokus runs on macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows (10+), and Linux (AppImage and .deb). It is built with Tauri v2, which compiles to native binaries for each platform.

**Q: Does Lokus work offline?**
A: Yes. Lokus works offline. All notes are stored locally as markdown files. No internet connection is required for any feature.

**Q: Can Lokus open existing markdown vaults?**
A: Yes. Lokus uses standard markdown format and [[wiki link]] syntax. You can point Lokus at an existing markdown vault folder and it will read the notes, links, and folder structure.

**Q: Where is my data stored?**
A: All data is stored on your local device as plain markdown (.md) files in a folder you choose. Lokus does not upload data to any server.

**Q: Does Lokus have mobile apps?**
A: Mobile apps are not yet available. Lokus currently supports macOS, Windows, and Linux desktops.

**Q: Does Lokus support the Zettelkasten method?**
A: Yes. Lokus supports the Zettelkasten method through wiki links for connecting atomic notes, backlinks for discovering connections, a graph view for visualizing the network, and a template system for consistent note creation.

**Q: How does Lokus handle sync between devices?**
A: Lokus does not include built-in sync. Since notes are plain markdown files in a folder, users can sync them using any file synchronization service (e.g., iCloud, Dropbox, Syncthing, Git).

**Q: What file format does Lokus use?**
A: Lokus stores notes as plain markdown (.md) files with optional YAML frontmatter. This is a non-proprietary format readable by any text editor.

**Q: Can I use plugins with Lokus?**
A: Yes. Lokus has a plugin marketplace where you can install community-built plugins. Developers can also create plugins using the Lokus Plugin API.

**Q: How much RAM does Lokus use?**
A: Lokus uses approximately 50MB of RAM under typical usage. This is significantly less than Electron-based alternatives because Lokus uses Tauri v2 with the native OS webview rather than bundling Chromium.

**Q: How large is the Lokus download?**
A: The Lokus installer is approximately 10MB, depending on platform. This is much smaller than Electron-based apps because Tauri uses the native OS webview.

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## Links

### Product
- Website: https://lokusmd.com
- Download / Releases: https://github.com/lokus-ai/lokus/releases
- Changelog: https://lokusmd.com/changelog
- Plugin Marketplace: https://lokusmd.com/marketplace
- Feature Overview: https://lokusmd.com/features

### Documentation
- Documentation Home: https://docs.lokusmd.com
- Getting Started: https://docs.lokusmd.com/getting-started
- Markdown Guide: https://docs.lokusmd.com/markdown
- Wiki Links Guide: https://docs.lokusmd.com/wiki-links
- Graph View Guide: https://docs.lokusmd.com/graph-view
- Template System: https://docs.lokusmd.com/templates
- Plugin Development: https://docs.lokusmd.com/plugins
- Canvas Guide: https://docs.lokusmd.com/canvas
- Keyboard Shortcuts: https://docs.lokusmd.com/shortcuts

### Community & Development
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/lokus-ai/lokus
- Open Collective: https://opencollective.com/lokus
- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/lokusmd
- Discord: https://discord.gg/lokus
- Email: hello@lokusmd.com

### Resources
- Blog: https://lokusmd.com/blog
- Resources: https://lokusmd.com/resources

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## Keywords

personal knowledge management, PKM, knowledge OS, note-taking app, second brain, markdown editor, wiki links, backlinks, graph view, local-first, zettelkasten, knowledge base, digital garden, networked thought, Tauri, Rust, React, cross-platform