Why local?

Most note apps keep your writing inside their service. You can use it while the service lets you, and you get it back as an export. rotli starts from the other end: your notes are files in one folder you choose, and rotli is a calm way to work in that folder.

What “local” means in rotli

• One folder is the truth. Notes are plain Markdown files. Open them in any text editor, search them with any tool, and back them up however you already back things up.
• No account. There is nothing to sign up for. rotli opens your folder and gets to work.
• It works offline. Writing, linking, tasks, and search need no connection.
• rotli’s own metadata can be rebuilt. The .rotli/ folder holds views and settings. Delete it and your notes are all still there.

Why it matters

Your work outlasts the app. If rotli disappeared tomorrow, your folder would still be a folder full of readable notes. Nothing needs exporting, because nothing was ever locked up.

You decide who sees what. AI in rotli is optional, and it works on your terms. Notes you mark secure never go to a remote model. A locked note can be read, but no AI can edit it.

It’s fast because it’s close. Your notes are on your disk, not a round trip away.

And the browser?

Rotli Web follows the same rule: every note is a file in a folder on your computer. Chrome, Edge, and Arc open the folder directly; Firefox, Zen, and Brave use Rotli Helper. See rotli in the browser and on the Mac.