.github/workflows | ||
.vscode | ||
cli | ||
cmd | ||
common | ||
images | ||
plug-api | ||
plugos | ||
plugs | ||
scripts | ||
server | ||
web | ||
website | ||
.dockerignore | ||
.env | ||
.gitignore | ||
.gitpod.Dockerfile | ||
.gitpod.yml | ||
build_bundle.ts | ||
build_plugs.ts | ||
build_web.ts | ||
CHANGELOG.md | ||
deno.jsonc | ||
docker-compose.yaml | ||
Dockerfile | ||
Dockerfile.s3 | ||
import_map.json | ||
install.sh | ||
LICENSE.md | ||
netlify.toml | ||
package-lock.json | ||
package.json | ||
README.md | ||
silverbullet.ts | ||
test_deps.ts | ||
version.ts |
SilverBullet
SilverBullet is an extensible, open source personal knowledge
platform. At its core it’s a clean markdown-based writing/note taking
application that stores your pages (notes) as plain markdown files in a folder
referred to as a space. Pages can be cross-linked using the
[[link to other page]]
syntax. This makes it a simple tool for
Personal Knowledge Management.
However, once you leverage its various extensions (called plugs) it can feel
more like a knowledge platform, allowing you to annotate, combine and query
your accumulated knowledge in creative ways specific to you.
SilverBullet is implemented as an offline-first PWA: it syncs all your content into the client (browser) and performs most processing there, allowing full offline operation after first load.
For more in-depth information, an interactive demo, and links to more
background, check out the SilverBullet website
(published from this repo’s website/
folder).
Or checkout these two videos:
- A Tour of some of SilverBullet’s features — spoiler alert: it’s cool.
- A look the SilverBullet architecture — spoiler alert: it’s plugs all the way down.
Features
- Free and open source. SilverBullet is MIT licensed.
- The truth is in the markdown. SilverBullet doesn’t use proprietary file formats. It keeps its data as plain markdown files on disk. While SB uses a database for indexing and caching some indexes, all of that can be rebuilt from its markdown source at any time. If SB would ever go away, you can still read your pages with any text editor.
- One single, distraction free mode. SB doesn’t have a separate view and edit mode. It doesn’t have a “focus mode.” You’re always in focused edit mode, why wouldn’t you?
- Keyboard oriented. You can use SB fully using the keyboard, typin’ the keys.
- Extend it your way. SB is highly extensible with plugs, and you can customize it to your liking and your workflows.
Installing SilverBullet
Check out the official website
Troubleshooting
If you upgraded to the new Deno-based SilverBullet from an old version, you may
have to use the silverbullet fix <pages-path>
command to flush out your old
database and plugs. Plugs will likely need to be updated.
Developing SilverBullet
SilverBullet is written in TypeScript and built on top of the excellent CodeMirror 6 editor component. Additional UI is built using Preact. ESBuild is used to build both the front-end and back-end bundles. The server backend runs as a HTTP server on Deno using and is written using Oak.
To prepare the initial web and plug build run:
deno task build
To symlink silverbullet
to your locally checked-out version, run:
deno task install
You can then run the server in “watch mode” (automatically restarting when you change source files) with:
deno task watch-server <PATH-TO-YOUR-SPACE>
After this initial build, it's convenient to run three commands in parallel (in separate terminals):
deno task watch-web
deno task watch-server <PATH-TO-YOUR-SPACE>
deno task watch-plugs
To typecheck the entire codebase (recommended before submitting PR):
deno task check
To run unit tests:
deno task test
Feedback
If you (hypothetically) find bugs or have feature requests, post them in our issue tracker. Would you like to contribute? Check out the code, and the issue tracker as well for ideas on what to work on.