# 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
> Extended LLM context: https://lokusmd.com/llms-full.txt

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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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## 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)

### 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

### 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

### 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

### Template System
- 90+ template features including variables, conditionals, and loops
- Date/time variables with formatting
- Daily note templates
- Custom template creation
- Template inheritance and composition
- Frontmatter variable support

### 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

### Additional Features
- Custom themes with live theme editor
- Works offline
- File-over-app philosophy (plain markdown files)
- Folder-based organization
- Tag system with nested tags
- Full-text search across all notes
- Command palette for quick actions
- Keyboard shortcuts for all major operations
- Frontmatter/YAML metadata support
- PDF and image embedding

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What platforms does Lokus run on?**
A: Lokus runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. 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.

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## Links

- Website: https://lokusmd.com
- Documentation: https://docs.lokusmd.com
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/lokus-ai/lokus
- Download / Releases: https://github.com/lokus-ai/lokus/releases
- Changelog: https://lokusmd.com/changelog
- Plugin Marketplace: https://lokusmd.com/marketplace
- Open Collective: https://opencollective.com/lokus
- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/lokusmd
- Discord: https://discord.gg/lokus
- Email: hello@lokusmd.com
- Extended LLM context: https://lokusmd.com/llms-full.txt