SiYuan is a self-hosted, privacy-first knowledge workspace application that integrates AI agents into note-taking and personal knowledge management.
The tool addresses the need for a local-first alternative to cloud-dependent note-taking systems by providing a self-contained workspace where users retain full control over their data. It combines traditional note-taking with knowledge graph capabilities and AI agent integration, allowing both humans and AI to collaborate within the same workspace. The application supports markdown-based content, PDF handling, and can sync data via WebDAV or S3-compatible storage. It runs as a desktop application via Electron and can also be deployed as a self-hosted server using Docker.
Developers and knowledge workers who prioritize privacy and data ownership should consider this tool, particularly those already comfortable with markdown-based workflows or who want to avoid vendor lock-in with commercial note-taking platforms. It suits personal knowledge management, digital gardens, and collaborative scenarios where AI agents need structured access to a knowledge base. The project distinguishes itself through its emphasis on local-first operation combined with agentic AI capabilities and support for the Model Context Protocol, enabling integration with AI tools while maintaining data sovereignty.
The project maintains steady development activity with regular commits and closed pull requests. The codebase is written primarily in TypeScript and is distributed as open-source software. The tool is available across multiple platforms including desktop and server deployments, with Docker support for containerized self-hosting.
