Summary

Scratch is a minimalist, offline-first markdown note-taking app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It targets users valuing data ownership and a distraction-free writing environment, offering a lightweight, local-only alternative to cloud-dependent tools.

How It Works

The application employs a local-first architecture, storing notes as plain .md files directly on the user's system, eliminating the need for internet or cloud accounts. It features a dual-mode editor: a WYSIWYG interface that saves rich text as markdown, and a dedicated markdown source mode for direct editing. A preview mode allows opening any .md file. Core functionalities include slash commands for quick element insertion, focus mode for distraction-free writing, and optional Git integration for version control.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Recommended on macOS via Homebrew (brew install --cask erictli/tap/scratch). Manual downloads available for macOS (.dmg), Windows (.exe), and Linux (.AppImage, .deb) from the Releases page. Building from source requires cloning, npm install, then npm run tauri dev (dev) or npm run tauri build (prod).
• Prerequisites: Node.js 18+, Rust 1.70+. macOS: Xcode Command Line Tools. Windows: WebView2 Runtime.
• Links: Releases: https://github.com/erictli/scratch/releases. A direct URL for the "Website" was not provided in the README.

Highlighted Details

• Offline-first design: No cloud sync, account, or internet required.
• Markdown-native: Notes are plain .md files, ensuring data portability.
• WYSIWYG and Markdown Source modes for flexible editing.
• Focus mode with animated UI fade for distraction-free writing.
• Optional Git integration for robust version control.
• Extensive keyboard shortcuts and command palette for mouse-free operation.
• Works with local AI tools like Claude Code CLI.

Maintenance & Community

The README provides no specific details on contributors, sponsorships, or community channels.

Licensing & Compatibility

Licensed under the MIT License, which is permissive and allows commercial use, modification, and distribution without significant restrictions.

Limitations & Caveats

The README does not explicitly list limitations or known bugs. As a desktop app, it is limited to supported platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux) and lacks mobile/web access.