Key takeaways
- Completely free and open source under MIT license
- Less than 10% the size of Obsidian or Notion
- Offline-first with no account or cloud required
FAQ
What is Scratch for Mac?
Scratch is a free, open source, minimalist markdown note-taking app for Mac that works offline with no cloud or account required.
Is Scratch free?
Yes, Scratch is completely free and open source under the MIT license.
What are alternatives to Scratch?
Alternatives include FSNotes, Bear, Obsidian, and iA Writer for markdown note-taking on Mac.
Executive Summary
Scratch is a minimalist, offline-first markdown note-taking application for macOS, Windows, and Linux created by Eric Li. The app prioritizes simplicity and local-first operation, storing notes as plain .md files with no cloud dependency, account requirement, or internet connection needed. As of June 2026 the project remains actively developed — the latest release, v0.10.0, shipped April 3, 2026, and the repository has grown to roughly 1.3k GitHub stars.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Eric Li |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Funding | Indie / Bootstrapped |
| Headquarters | N/A (Solo developer) |
Product Overview
Scratch is a lightweight markdown editor designed for quick note capture rather than comprehensive knowledge management. The app embraces a philosophy of extreme minimalism—it's less than 10% the size of heavyweight alternatives like Obsidian or Notion.
Key Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| WYSIWYG Editing | Rich text editing that saves as standard markdown |
| Markdown Source Mode | Toggle to view/edit raw markdown (Cmd+Shift+M) |
| Slash Commands | Quick insert for headings, lists, code blocks |
| Focus Mode | Distraction-free writing with animated UI fade |
| Wikilinks | Inter-note linking for lightweight navigation (added since launch) |
| Diagrams & Math | Mermaid diagram rendering and KaTeX equations |
| AI Agent Integration | Works with Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, and Ollama for AI-assisted editing |
Product Surfaces / Editions
| Surface | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| macOS App | Native desktop application via Homebrew or DMG | GA |
| Windows | Supported per repository as of June 2026 | GA |
| Linux | Supported per repository as of June 2026 | GA |
Technical Architecture
Scratch is built using modern web technologies wrapped in a native shell for excellent performance and small binary size.
Key Technical Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Framework | Tauri (Rust backend) |
| Frontend | React, TipTap editor, Tailwind CSS |
| Search | Tantivy (Rust full-text search) |
| Storage | Local .md files (user-owned) |
| Open Source | Yes (MIT License) |
Strengths
- Zero lock-in — Notes are plain .md files stored locally that work with any markdown editor
- Extremely lightweight — The entire app is a fraction of the size of competitors like Obsidian
- No cloud dependency — Works entirely offline with no account registration required
- AI-friendly — Built-in integration with Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, and Ollama for AI-assisted writing
- Keyboard-centric — Comprehensive shortcuts and command palette for mouse-free operation
Cautions
- Limited organization — Wikilinks were added, but there are still no tags or knowledge graphs
- Solo developer — Long-term maintenance depends on one person's continued interest
- No mobile apps — Desktop only; no iOS or Android companion apps
- No sync — No built-in sync between devices; users must handle via iCloud, Dropbox, or Git
Pricing & Licensing
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Full app, all features |
Licensing model: MIT open source license
Hidden costs: None—completely free with no premium tier
Competitive Positioning
Direct Competitors
| Competitor | Differentiation |
|---|---|
| FSNotes | Scratch is smaller and newer; FSNotes has more features and iOS app |
| Obsidian | Scratch is far lighter but lacks Obsidian's plugin ecosystem and linking |
| Bear | Scratch is free and open source; Bear requires subscription for sync |
When to Choose Scratch Over Alternatives
- Choose Scratch when: You want the absolute simplest markdown scratchpad without bloat
- Choose FSNotes when: You need iOS sync and more organizational features
- Choose Obsidian when: You want knowledge graphs, plugins, and advanced linking
Ideal Customer Profile
Best fit:
- Developers who prefer keyboard-driven, lightweight tools
- Users who want a simple scratchpad without organizational overhead
- Privacy-conscious users who want fully local notes
Poor fit:
- Users needing mobile access to notes
- Writers requiring advanced organization (folders, tags, nested structures)
- Teams needing collaboration features
What Users Say
As of June 2026, Scratch has little organic discussion footprint on Reddit or Hacker News — no substantial threads about the app surfaced in searches, so there are no representative user quotes to cite. The clearest community signal is on GitHub, where the project has roughly 1.3k stars, 39 open issues, and ongoing community pull requests.
Viability Assessment
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Financial Health | N/A (free, open source) |
| Market Position | Niche |
| Innovation Pace | Active |
| Community/Ecosystem | Growing |
| Long-term Outlook | Neutral |
As an open source project from a solo developer, Scratch's longevity depends on community adoption and the developer's continued interest. The MIT license ensures the code remains available regardless. Development has stayed active through mid-2026: v0.10.0 shipped in April 2026 with the repository at roughly 1.3k stars, and recent releases added Linux support, wikilinks, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX math, and broader AI agent integrations.
Bottom Line
Scratch fills a specific niche: a dead-simple markdown scratchpad for Mac users who value minimalism over features. It's the text editor equivalent of a pocket notebook rather than a comprehensive note system.
Recommended for: Developers and minimalists who want quick, local note capture without any friction or bloat.
Not recommended for: Users who need mobile access, advanced organization, or cross-device sync.
Outlook: Healthy as a niche tool; unlikely to compete with established players for mainstream adoption but serves its specific audience well.
Research by Ry Walker Research • methodology