Why I Built a Local-First, Subscription-Free AI Markdown Writer for Mac (WitNote)

As an indie developer and technical writer, I write code notes, course materials, and blog posts every single day.

Over the last two years, I noticed modern writing and note-taking apps splitting into two extremes:

I just wanted a native Mac workspace where my words remain mine, but where AI is quietly available when I ask for it.

So I spent the last few months building WitNote for macOS.

Your notes are saved directly in standard folders on your Mac as plain.md files.

WitNote does not ask for an account, does not require a login, and collects zero analytics or tracking telemetry.

You download it, choose a local folder, and start writing immediately.

Instead of forcing a bloated monthly cloud subscription:

Technical writing often involves mixed media:

WitNote is currently live on the Mac App Store.

The core version is completely free for everyday writing and folder management. For advanced styling and deeper toolsets, there is a simple one-time lifetime unlock—no recurring monthly subscriptions.

I would love to hear feedback from fellow developers and writers:

Check out the project details on our website or on the Mac App Store.