For any avid note-taker, Obsidian has long been the reigning champion, with its user-friendly interface and robust features—but what if there was something better? Enter Blinko, a lesser-known, self-hosted note-taking app that’s quickly made its way into my daily routine, potentially dethroning my old favorite, Notion.

What sets Blinko apart? For starters, it’s effortlessly accessible, running within a Docker container that you can launch in mere seconds thanks to a pre-made compose file from the developer. On the surface, Blinko may seem simplistic, but dig deeper, and you'll uncover an impressive array of features: a comprehensive tagging system, notes history, a markdown editor, and even local AI integration to enhance your note-creating experience.

The Cleanest Note-Taking Experience Yet!

Blinko isn't just another note-taking app; it's a thoughtfully designed platform that distinguishes between different types of inputs: "Notes" and "Blinkos." While Blinkos are quick jots captured in the moment, ideal for casual thoughts, Notes are reserved for long-term, more significant entries. This distinction encourages efficiency, letting you save ideas instantly without the need to convert them later.

One standout feature is the "random walk" option. This clever tool showcases random Blinkos you’ve penned throughout the day, inviting you to edit, archive, or turn them into Notes—making it a breeze to keep your workspace organized without feeling overwhelmed. And if you prefer a laid-back approach like Google Keep, no worries—Blinko has that covered.

Customization and AI Features Galore!

Customization options abound in Blinko, allowing you to tailor the app to your preferences. Access the mobile app via its Progressive Web App interface and explore plugins, Spotify integrations, and built-in backups. This kind of flexibility makes Blinko a standout choice for any note-taking enthusiast.

But what really makes Blinko revolutionary is its support for local AI. With the app, you’re not confined to third-party services like ChatGPT or Google’s models; you can opt for LM Studio to process everything right on your device. Switch to OpenAI mode and set it up with your local address for seamless AI interaction.

Unlocking the Power of Your Notes with RAG

One particular AI feature that piqued my interest is RAG—short for retrieval-augmented generation. This innovative tool enhances note accessibility and accuracy, allowing you to query your notes much like you would with chat-based services. You can upload various document types and receive pinpointed responses linked directly to your notes, making cross-referencing effortless.

Configuring RAG involves deploying an embedding model in LM Studio, greatly enriching your note-taking experience. Not only does it intelligently tag notes and generate content, but it also crafts summaries to help you digest information rapidly. Everything in Blinko remains optional, so you can turn off any AI features if they’re not to your liking.

Prioritizing Your Privacy!

What truly sets Blinko apart is its unwavering commitment to privacy. Everything runs locally, meaning you have complete control over your data—even the AI functionalities can be configured without relying on external services. This respect for user privacy, combined with a powerful feature set, makes Blinko a compelling alternative for anyone seeking a reliable note-taking tool.

With its sleek, responsive design, Blinko is more than just a free note-taking solution. In just a couple of minutes, I deployed it on my TrueNAS Scale instance and now enjoy easy access via Tailscale. Whether you’re a casual note-taker or a power user, Blinko could revolutionize your note-taking experience.