Show HN: OpenKnowledge – open source AI-first alternative to Obsidian/Notion (github.com)

Article summary

OpenKnowledge is an open-source, AI-first alternative to Obsidian and Notion, offering a markdown editor with integrations with various AI models. It features a WYSIWYG editor, file navigator, search, and graph wiki link viewer, and supports team sharing and auto-sync via git/GitHub. The project is licensed under GNU General Public License v3.0 and has a web UI and macOS app. It aims to provide a private, local, and free knowledge base solution.

Main themes

• Open-source knowledge base
• AI integration
• Markdown editor
• Team collaboration
• Obsidian and Notion alternative
• Git/GitHub integration

What commenters say

• The project's compatibility with existing markdown files and Obsidian vaults is a significant advantage, but its limitations in supporting certain Obsidian features may hinder adoption.
• The lack of support for local LLMs is a major drawback, and the project should prioritize explicit guides and integrations with local models.
• The project's syncing mechanism, which relies on GitHub, raises concerns about privacy and flexibility, and some users may prefer alternative syncing methods.
• The name 'OpenKnowledge' is coincidentally similar to the Open Knowledge Foundation and Open Knowledge Format, which may cause confusion, but the project's focus on open formats and source is commendable.
• The project's potential to provide a more AI-friendly and usable way to organize notes is debated, with some arguing that Obsidian is already AI-friendly due to its markdown-based nature.
• The decision to build skills and an MCP server specifically for OpenKnowledge, rather than for markdown or Obsidian, is seen as a differentiating factor, but some question the necessity of this approach.