Joplin – Open Source Note Taking and To-Do Application

Introduction to Joplin

Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking and to-do application that supports Markdown formatting, end-to-end encryption, and synchronization across multiple devices. Unlike proprietary note apps, Joplin stores notes in an open format and allows synchronization through various services including Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, and its own Joplin Cloud service, giving users control over their data.

Joplin is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with a consistent experience across all platforms. The software supports importing notes from Evernote and other applications, web clipping, attachments, tags, and notebooks for organization.

Key Features

Joplin provides Markdown editing with live preview, notebook and tag organization, full-text search, to-do lists with alarms, file attachments, web clipper browser extension, and plugin support. Security features include end-to-end encryption and optional biometric unlock on mobile devices.

Installation on Linux

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

# Via Flatpak
flatpak install flathub net.cozic.joplin_desktop

# Via Snap
sudo snap install joplin-desktop

# Arch Linux (AUR)
yay -S joplin-appimage

Installation on Windows

# Download from joplinapp.org
# Run installer

# Via Winget
winget install Joplin.Joplin

# Via Chocolatey
choco install joplin

# Portable version available

Installation on macOS

# Via Homebrew
brew install --cask joplin

# Or download DMG from joplinapp.org

Mobile Apps

# Android
# Google Play Store or F-Droid

# iOS
# App Store

# Features:
# - Full sync support
# - Biometric lock
# - Camera for attachments
# - Voice notes

Synchronization Setup

# Supported sync targets:
# - Joplin Cloud (official)
# - Dropbox
# - OneDrive
# - Nextcloud/WebDAV
# - AWS S3
# - Local filesystem

# Configure:
Tools > Options > Synchronization
# Select target and authenticate

# Enable E2EE:
Tools > Options > Encryption
# Set encryption password

Organization

# Structure:
# Notebooks (folders)
#   ??? Sub-notebooks
#       ??? Notes

# Create notebook:
File > New Notebook
# Or right-click > New notebook

# Tags:
# Add tags to notes
# Filter by tags in sidebar

# To-dos:
# Create as to-do instead of note
# Set alarms and due dates

Markdown Editing

# Editor modes:
# - Markdown editor
# - Rich text editor (WYSIWYG)
# - Split view (side by side)

# Common formatting:
# **bold**
# *italic*
# ~~strikethrough~~
# [link](url)
# ![image](path)
# - [ ] checkbox
# ```code block```

# Math:
# $$LaTeX equations$$

# Mermaid diagrams:
# ```mermaid
# graph TD
# ```

Web Clipper

# Install extension:
# Chrome/Firefox from extension stores

# Usage:
# Navigate to webpage
# Click Joplin icon
# Choose: Complete page/Simplified/Screenshot/URL

# Configure in Joplin:
Tools > Options > Web Clipper
# Enable clipper service

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl+N          New note
Ctrl+Shift+N    New to-do
Ctrl+F          Search in note
Ctrl+Shift+F    Search all notes
Ctrl+P          Print
Ctrl+E          Toggle editor/preview
Ctrl+/          Toggle sidebar
Ctrl+L          Focus note list
Ctrl+Shift+L    Focus notebook list
F10             Toggle note list
F11             Toggle sidebar

Plugins

# Install plugins:
Tools > Options > Plugins
# Browse and install from repository

# Popular plugins:
# - Templates
# - Kanban board
# - Backup
# - Note Tabs
# - Quick Links
# - Favorites

Import/Export

# Import from:
File > Import
# - Evernote (.enex)
# - Markdown files
# - HTML files
# - Raw JSON

# Export:
File > Export all
# - Markdown
# - HTML
# - JSON (for backup)
# - PDF (single note)

Command Line

# Install CLI
npm install -g joplin

# Commands
joplin ls                  List notes
joplin cat          View note
joplin edit         Edit note
joplin mkbook       Create notebook
joplin sync               Synchronize
joplin config             Configure

Conclusion

Joplin provides a powerful, privacy-respecting note-taking solution that rivals proprietary alternatives while giving users complete control over their data. Its cross-platform availability, Markdown support, and flexible synchronization options make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a feature-rich, open-source note-taking application.