The gist

Kuku is an open-source, local-first Markdown knowledge workspace for macOS. It's designed for users who want to keep their notes as portable, private plain text files while adding advanced features. Kuku operates on a local folder of .md files, layering on a personal wiki, AI-powered editing with reviewable diffs, graph navigation, and optional encrypted sync for enhanced knowledge management.

What it does

Edits and manages Markdown files directly in a local folder, ensuring file portability.
Connects notes using wikilinks, backlinks, and a 2D/3D graph view.
Integrates AI assistance for searching, editing, and creating content within notes.
Reviews and applies AI-proposed changes as diffs for user approval.
Syncs workspaces across devices using end-to-end encryption.

How it works

Kuku operates on a local folder of plain Markdown files. Users edit files directly while the app provides wiki features and AI assistance, which presents generated content as a diff for review before applying changes. The tool is delivered as a native macOS application, but the entire stack is open-source (MIT license) and can be self-hosted. An optional encrypted sync service is also available.

Best for

This tool is best for individuals who want to build a personal wiki or "second brain" on top of local Markdown files. It's a strong choice for users who value data portability and open-source software but also want integrated AI assistance and encrypted sync.

Watch out for

Kuku is currently only available as an official build for macOS. Windows and Linux versions are planned but not yet released.