Joplin – Open Source Note-Taking and To-Do Application

Complete Guide to Joplin: Secure Open Source Note-Taking for Every Platform

Joplin has established itself as one of the most capable open-source note-taking applications available today. Designed as a free alternative to proprietary solutions like Evernote, Joplin provides comprehensive note management capabilities while respecting user privacy and data ownership. The application supports end-to-end encryption, synchronization across multiple cloud services, and offers native applications for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS platforms.

What distinguishes Joplin from other note-taking solutions is its commitment to data portability and user control. Notes are stored in plain text markdown format, ensuring that your information remains accessible regardless of what happens to the application itself. This philosophy of open data combined with robust features makes Joplin an excellent choice for users transitioning away from proprietary note-taking services or anyone seeking a privacy-respecting productivity tool.

Core Features and Capabilities

Joplin delivers a comprehensive feature set that rivals commercial note-taking applications. The markdown-based editing environment supports rich text formatting, tables, mathematical expressions, and embedded media. Notes can be organized into notebooks and sub-notebooks, with tags providing additional categorization flexibility.

The synchronization system supports multiple cloud providers including Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, WebDAV servers, and Joplin’s own cloud service. End-to-end encryption ensures that even when using third-party cloud storage, your notes remain private and inaccessible to service providers. This encryption is particularly valuable for users storing sensitive personal or professional information.

Web Clipper browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox enable capturing web content directly into Joplin. The clipper can save full pages, simplified articles, screenshots, or selections, making it easy to archive online information for future reference. This functionality proves invaluable for research, recipe collection, or any workflow involving web-based information gathering.

Installing Joplin Across Platforms

Joplin provides installation packages for all major operating systems, with multiple installation methods available to suit different preferences and system configurations.

Linux Installation

# Official installer script (recommended)
wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/laurent22/joplin/dev/Joplin_install_and_update.sh | bash

# Flatpak installation
flatpak install flathub net.cozic.joplin_desktop

# Snap installation
sudo snap install joplin-desktop

# AppImage (portable)
wget https://github.com/laurent22/joplin/releases/download/v2.13.13/Joplin-2.13.13.AppImage
chmod +x Joplin-2.13.13.AppImage
./Joplin-2.13.13.AppImage

# Arch Linux via AUR
yay -S joplin-desktop

# Install CLI version
NPM_CONFIG_PREFIX=~/.joplin-bin npm install -g joplin
# Add to PATH
export PATH="$HOME/.joplin-bin/bin:$PATH"

macOS Installation

# Homebrew installation
brew install --cask joplin

# Install CLI version via npm
npm install -g joplin

# Verify installation
joplin version

Windows Installation

# Chocolatey installation
choco install joplin

# Winget installation
winget install Joplin.Joplin

# Scoop installation
scoop bucket add extras
scoop install joplin

# Portable version - download and extract
# No installation required for portable version

Command Line Interface Usage

Joplin includes a powerful terminal application that provides full access to your notes without a graphical interface. The CLI proves invaluable for automation, scripting, server environments, and users who prefer terminal-based workflows.

# Start Joplin CLI
joplin

# Basic commands within Joplin CLI
:help                    # Show available commands
:notebooks               # List all notebooks
:use "Notebook Name"     # Switch to notebook
:ls                      # List notes in current notebook
:cat "Note Title"        # Display note content
:edit "Note Title"       # Edit note in $EDITOR

# Create new note
:mknote "My New Note"

# Create notebook
:mkbook "New Notebook"

# Search notes
:search "keyword"

# Delete note
:rmnote "Note Title"

# Sync with cloud
:sync

# Import notes
:import /path/to/file.md

# Export notes
:export /path/to/output --format md

# Configuration
:config                  # Show all settings
:config sync.target 7    # Set sync target (Dropbox)

# Non-interactive CLI commands
joplin ls
joplin cat "Note Title"
joplin search "keyword"
joplin sync
joplin import /path/to/file.enex
joplin export /path/to/output --format jex

Setting Up Synchronization

Configuring synchronization enables accessing your notes across all your devices. Joplin supports multiple synchronization targets, each with its own setup requirements and characteristics.

Dropbox Synchronization

# Desktop: Configure via Tools > Options > Synchronization
# Select Dropbox as sync target
# Click authorization link to grant Joplin access
# Complete OAuth flow in browser

# CLI configuration
joplin :config sync.target 7
# Follow authorization prompts

Nextcloud/WebDAV Synchronization

# WebDAV configuration
# Sync target: 6 (WebDAV)
# Server URL: https://your-server.com/remote.php/webdav/Joplin
# Username and password as configured

# CLI configuration
joplin :config sync.target 6
joplin :config sync.6.path "https://server.com/remote.php/webdav/Joplin"
joplin :config sync.6.username "your-username"
joplin :config sync.6.password "your-password"

# Trigger sync
joplin :sync

Self-Hosted Joplin Server

# Deploy Joplin Server with Docker
docker run -d \
  --name joplin-server \
  -p 22300:22300 \
  -e APP_BASE_URL=https://joplin.yourdomain.com \
  -e DB_CLIENT=sqlite3 \
  -v joplin-data:/home/joplin/data \
  joplin/server:latest

# Docker Compose configuration
version: '3'
services:
  joplin:
    image: joplin/server:latest
    ports:
      - "22300:22300"
    environment:
      - APP_BASE_URL=https://joplin.yourdomain.com
      - DB_CLIENT=pg
      - POSTGRES_HOST=db
      - POSTGRES_PORT=5432
      - POSTGRES_DATABASE=joplin
      - POSTGRES_USER=joplin
      - POSTGRES_PASSWORD=secure_password
    volumes:
      - ./data:/home/joplin/data
    depends_on:
      - db
  db:
    image: postgres:15
    environment:
      - POSTGRES_DB=joplin
      - POSTGRES_USER=joplin
      - POSTGRES_PASSWORD=secure_password
    volumes:
      - postgres-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data

volumes:
  postgres-data:

Enabling End-to-End Encryption

End-to-end encryption ensures that only you can read your notes, even when stored on third-party cloud services. Enabling encryption is straightforward but requires careful password management since there’s no recovery option if you forget your encryption password.

# Enable encryption via GUI
# Tools > Options > Encryption > Enable encryption
# Set a strong master password
# All new notes will be encrypted automatically
# Existing notes encrypted during next sync

# CLI encryption setup
joplin :config encryption.enabled 1
# Set password when prompted

# Verify encryption status
joplin :config encryption.enabled

# Note: Master password cannot be recovered
# Store password securely in password manager

Using the Web Clipper

The Web Clipper browser extension transforms Joplin into a powerful web research tool. Installing and configuring the clipper enables one-click saving of web content directly to your note library.

# Install Web Clipper
# Chrome: Chrome Web Store > Joplin Web Clipper
# Firefox: Firefox Add-ons > Joplin Web Clipper

# Enable Web Clipper Service in Joplin
# Tools > Options > Web Clipper > Enable Web Clipper Service
# Default port: 41184

# Clipper options:
# - Clip simplified page (article content only)
# - Clip complete page (full HTML)
# - Clip selection
# - Clip screenshot
# - Clip URL (link only)

# CLI: Start clipper service
joplin server start

# Check clipper status
curl http://localhost:41184/ping

Markdown Editing and Formatting

Joplin’s markdown support includes standard syntax plus extensions for enhanced functionality. Understanding these capabilities enables creating richly formatted notes that render beautifully.

# Standard Markdown

# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3

**Bold** and *italic* text

- Bullet list
- Another item
  - Nested item

1. Numbered list
2. Second item

> Blockquote

`inline code`

```javascript
// Code block with syntax highlighting
function greet(name) {
  return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}
```

[Link text](https://example.com)
![Image](path/to/image.png)

---

| Table | Header |
|-------|--------|
| Cell  | Cell   |

# Joplin-specific syntax

- [ ] Unchecked todo
- [x] Completed todo

$$ LaTeX math equation $$
$inline math$

:note_id: Internal link to another note
[Note Title](:note_id)

@mentions and #tags

Plugins and Customization

Joplin’s plugin system extends functionality far beyond the core application. The plugin repository contains extensions for enhanced editing, visualization, integration with external services, and workflow automation.

# Access plugins
# Tools > Options > Plugins > Manage plugins

# Popular plugins:
# - Note Tabs: Tabbed interface for multiple notes
# - Quick Links: Fast internal linking
# - Templates: Create notes from templates
# - Outline: Table of contents sidebar
# - Kanban: Kanban board for task management
# - Favorites: Quick access to starred notes
# - Rich Markdown: Enhanced markdown preview
# - Backup: Automated backups

# Plugin development location
~/.config/joplin-desktop/plugins/

# Install plugin from file
# Drag .jpl file to plugins window

Import and Export Options

Joplin supports importing notes from various applications and exporting to multiple formats. This flexibility enables migrating from other note-taking tools and ensuring your data remains portable.

# Import formats supported
# - Evernote (.enex)
# - Joplin Export (.jex)
# - Markdown files (.md)
# - Raw directory

# Import Evernote notes
joplin import /path/to/export.enex

# Import markdown directory
joplin import /path/to/markdown/folder --format md

# Export formats
# - JEX (Joplin archive)
# - RAW (directory structure)
# - Markdown
# - HTML
# - PDF (single note)

# Export all notes to markdown
joplin export /path/to/output --format md

# Export to JEX archive
joplin export /path/to/backup.jex --format jex

# Export specific notebook
joplin export /path/to/output --format md --notebook "Work"

Automating Joplin with Scripts

The Joplin Data API enables programmatic access to your notes, enabling automation workflows and integration with other tools.

# Enable API access
# Tools > Options > Web Clipper > Enable Web Clipper Service
# Copy authorization token

# API examples with curl
TOKEN="your_authorization_token"
BASE_URL="http://localhost:41184"

# List all notebooks
curl "$BASE_URL/folders?token=$TOKEN"

# Create new note
curl -X POST "$BASE_URL/notes?token=$TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"title":"API Note","body":"Created via API","parent_id":"notebook_id"}'

# Search notes
curl "$BASE_URL/search?query=keyword&token=$TOKEN"

# Get note content
curl "$BASE_URL/notes/note_id?token=$TOKEN&fields=title,body"

# Update note
curl -X PUT "$BASE_URL/notes/note_id?token=$TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"title":"Updated Title"}'

# Python automation example
import requests

TOKEN = "your_token"
BASE_URL = "http://localhost:41184"

def create_note(title, body, notebook_id):
    response = requests.post(
        f"{BASE_URL}/notes",
        params={"token": TOKEN},
        json={"title": title, "body": body, "parent_id": notebook_id}
    )
    return response.json()

Mobile Applications

Joplin’s mobile applications for Android and iOS provide full access to your notes while maintaining synchronization with desktop clients. The mobile apps support markdown editing, attachments, and the same organizational structure as desktop versions.

Both mobile apps are available through their respective official app stores. After installation, configure the same synchronization target used on desktop to access your existing notes. The apps support both online and offline access, synchronizing changes when connectivity is available.

Best Practices and Tips

Effective use of Joplin involves establishing consistent organizational practices and leveraging the application’s features to build a sustainable note-taking system.

Create a logical notebook hierarchy that reflects how you think about information. Some users organize by project, others by area of life, and some by type of information. Combine notebook organization with tags for additional flexibility without creating deeply nested structures.

Regular backups protect against data loss. While synchronization provides redundancy, maintaining local backups of your JEX exports ensures recovery options exist independent of sync services. Automate this process with a simple script running periodically.

# Automated backup script
#!/bin/bash
BACKUP_DIR="$HOME/joplin-backups"
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d)
mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"

# Export all notes
joplin export "$BACKUP_DIR/joplin-$DATE.jex" --format jex

# Keep only last 10 backups
ls -t "$BACKUP_DIR"/*.jex | tail -n +11 | xargs rm -f 2>/dev/null

echo "Backup completed: $BACKUP_DIR/joplin-$DATE.jex"

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Most Joplin issues relate to synchronization conflicts, encryption problems, or plugin compatibility. Understanding common scenarios enables quick resolution.

Synchronization conflicts occur when the same note is edited on multiple devices before syncing. Joplin handles this by creating conflict copies, which should be manually reviewed and merged. Regular syncing minimizes conflict occurrence.

Encryption issues typically stem from password mismatches across devices. Ensure the same encryption password is configured on all clients. If notes appear encrypted and unreadable, verify the encryption password in settings.

Conclusion

Joplin provides a compelling open-source alternative for note-taking that doesn’t compromise on features or privacy. Its cross-platform availability, end-to-end encryption, and flexible synchronization options make it suitable for personal use, professional workflows, and everything in between. Whether migrating from another note-taking service or starting fresh with a system that respects your data ownership, Joplin delivers the tools needed for effective personal knowledge management.