Files.md: Open-source Obsidian alternative after 5 years of development

Files.md, launched on Show HN, is a minimalistic note-taking application that positions itself as an alternative to Obsidian. Developed over five years by a small team, it emphasizes local-first storage in plain .md files, offline functionality, and extreme simplicity—no build systems or complex dependencies. The entire project fits in a single HTML file (web/index.html), and the server is a single binary. Users can sync via their own server, or use iCloud/Dropbox/Google Drive. A Telegram chatbot allows on-the-go access and note dumping. The app includes a chat interface for quick captures, and links notes via `[` syntax to build a knowledge graph. The creators argue that many PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) tools create an illusion of productivity, deferring actual thinking. Files.md aims to force users to think through their notes rather than building elaborate systems. It is free, open-source, and designed to be 'LLM-friendly'—meaning its simple structure makes it easy for AI models to process and for humans to modify.

The app's philosophy is deeply rooted in the concept of 'restrictions foster creativity.' It offers only necessary features, avoiding the plugin ecosystem that can become a distraction. The developers explicitly quote a blog post titled 'I Deleted My Second Brain,' which warns against deferring understanding to future organizational tasks. Instead, Files.md encourages one idea per note, immediate application of knowledge, and linking related notes. The system has been used personally by the team for five years, resulting in cross-domain insights like a blog post on cognitive load in software development. While it may not appeal to power users who want advanced templates or AI workflows, it targets those seeking a frictionless, plain-text approach to note-taking that respects the user's first brain. The project is hosted on GitHub (app.files.md) and is currently in beta.