Reflect

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Open-source networked note app with daily notes, backlinks and optional AI

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Reflect

What it is

Reflect is a note-taking app for people who like to connect ideas. Its current version, Reflect Open, is open source and keeps notes as Markdown files in a folder you choose, synced through iCloud Drive or Git. Each day starts with a daily note, and backlinks link related notes into a personal knowledge graph. You can save web clips, record audio memos and search past notes quickly. The optional AI assistant answers questions with links to your notes, summarizes text, pulls action items from meeting notes, fixes grammar and runs saved custom prompts, using your own provider API key. The Mac app is free, and the iPhone and iPad apps require a subscription.

Key features

Daily notes and backlinked graph
Local Markdown files with iCloud or Git sync
AI answers linked to your own notes
Web clips and audio memos

What we liked

+ Free and open source on Mac
+ You own your files as plain Markdown
+ AI requests go straight to your provider

Worth noting

· AI needs your own API key and billing
· Mobile apps require a paid subscription

Editor's notes

More context from AI BirdView

Note apps often lock your writing inside their own servers, so it is refreshing to see one that hands control back to you. Reflect Open stores every note as a plain Markdown file in a folder you pick, and its AI features only run when you connect your own provider key. That makes it a thoughtful choice for anyone who values privacy and long-term ownership of their notes.

Daily notes that give every day a natural starting page
Backlinks that tie related notes together into a personal knowledge graph
Local Markdown storage with your choice of iCloud Drive or Git for sync
An optional AI assistant that answers questions with links back to source notes, summarizes and pulls out action items
Web clips, audio memos and fast search for recalling past ideas

It is best for writers, researchers and knowledge workers who want a calm, connected notebook and are comfortable bringing their own AI key. Notes marked private are kept out of AI access, according to the company. A practical tip: if you mainly work on a Mac, start with the free app and Git sync, then add the paid iPhone app only once you find yourself wanting to capture ideas on the go.