Hello r/gnome! I’m a math student and Linux user planning to develop a native GNOME app inspired by Obsidian but with a focus on speed, deep...
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The original was posted on /r/gnome by /u/solomazer on 2025-04-24 15:18:53+00:00.

Hello r/gnome!

I’m a math student and Linux user planning to develop a native GNOME app inspired by Obsidian but with a focus on speed, deep Linux integration, and excellent math support. My goal is to create a markdown-based note-taking and knowledge management tool that feels at home on GNOME, is fast and efficient, and helps a wide range of users—from those managing journals to writers publishing their work to academics like myself who want robust math support without wrestling with LaTeX.

Key Features I’m Planning:

  • Native GNOME app, written in Rust.
  • Markdown as the core format, with easy export to other media
  • Smooth Math Support (professional-looking exports, tikz support, etc.) and other general markdown features like tags, links, code blocks, etc.
  • Plugin system for essentials like snippets, homepage, tasks, encryption, etc
  • User-friendly startup guide with clear docs and focus on getting things done.
  • Have strong support for Vim, which can be managed via a .vimrc

Why?

While there are some great open-source alternatives to Obsidian (like Logseq, Joplin, Zettlr, AppFlowy, and Notesnook, qownnotes), I haven’t found one that is truly native and optimized for Linux, while supporting a wide range of features. Many existing tools either lack deep desktop integration, feel heavy, or require reliance on third-party extensions to make things work the way I want.

What I Need:

  • Feedback: Would you use such an app? Are there features you wish Obsidian or its alternatives had, especially for Linux/GNOME users?
  • Suggestions: What pain points should I address? Any must-have plugins or features?
  • Guidance: This is my first big project. Any advice on app architecture, plugin systems, or GNOME development best practices would be appreciated.
  • Contributors: Let me know if you’re interested in collaborating (especially with Rust or GNOME experience)!

I’ll start working on this after my finals next month, but I wanted to gauge interest and gather ideas from the community first.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your thoughts!