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Notr

Free plan Linux

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What Notr is

Notr is a free, open-source Linux command-line application for encrypted note taking in a terminal interface. Each note is encrypted with AES-256-GCM before being written to disk. The master password remains on the user's machine, and a PBKDF2-derived key protects the randomly generated master key used for note encryption. Built-in synchronization works through a local filesystem or WebDAV backend; those backends receive encrypted SQLite pages. Notr can create, view, edit, move, update, and export notes and notebooks, with exports in TSV or JSON. Search supports case-insensitive and fuzzy matching. Synchronization merges changed notes using stable UUIDs and tombstones for deletions, while autosync can run after commands that modify data. The project documents fzf workflows, a first-party Neovim plugin using fzf-lua, and completion scripts for Bash, Zsh, and Fish. Installation is available through pipx or pip, and Python 3.9 or later is required. Notr is licensed under MIT, with GitHub Issues used for bug reports and feature requests.

Who it suits

Notr suits Linux users who prefer terminal-based notes and want encrypted local storage with optional filesystem or WebDAV synchronization. It also fits users working with fzf, Neovim, or shell completion.

What it does well

  • AES-256-GCM encrypts notes before disk storage
  • Master password remains on the user's machine
  • Local filesystem and WebDAV sync backends
  • Case-insensitive and fuzzy note search
  • TSV and JSON export formats

What to know first

  • Linux platform only
  • Requires Python 3.9 or later
  • Command-line interface may not suit graphical-app users
  • WebDAV or local sync setup is required for synchronization

Verdict

Notr combines terminal note management with client-side encryption, offline access, and encrypted-page synchronization. Its open-source Linux distribution supports shell workflows and structured exports without a subscription.

Facts from Notr's own pages

Automation
Users can enable automatic syncing after mutating commands through the autosync configuration option. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Backends
Built-in sync backends are local filesystem and WebDAV; the README says additional backends can be added through its backend interface. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Encryption
The README says notes are encrypted with AES-256-GCM before touching disk. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Installation
The README documents installation with either pipx or pip. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Integrations
The README documents FZF workflows and a first-party Neovim plugin that uses fzf-lua to browse and edit notes. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Key handling
The master password stays on the user's machine, and a PBKDF2-derived key wraps the randomly generated master key used for note encryption. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License
Notr is released under the MIT License. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Maker
The repository credits Kim Schulz as the creator; the maker's website describes itself as “One person – many ideas!” · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Note management
Users can create, view, edit, move, update, and export notes and notebooks from the command line. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Password handling
The master password stays on the user's machine, and a PBKDF2-derived key wraps a randomly generated master key. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Purpose
Notr is an encrypted command line note-taking app with a modern TUI and pluggable sync backends. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Requirements
The package metadata requires Python 3.9 or newer. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Search
Notr supports case-insensitive and fuzzy search across notes, globally or within a notebook. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Shell support
The app can generate completion scripts for Bash, Zsh, and Fish. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Support
The README directs users to GitHub Issues to report bugs or request features. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Sync
Sync merges changed notebooks and notes using stable UUIDs, with tombstones to propagate deletions. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Sync backends
Built-in backends include a local filesystem backend and a WebDAV backend. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Sync privacy
The README says sync backends see encrypted SQLite pages. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Sync security
Sync backends receive encrypted SQLite pages, and backend credentials are stored in the OS keyring when available or a locked-down file fallback. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026

Where Notr stands on Freedom251

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