# Blinko

Blinko is an open-source, AI-powered card note-taking application for quickly capturing and organizing fleeting thoughts, featuring retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) search to find notes instantly. It is open source and self-hosted, installable on Docker Hub, Unraid, TrueNAS and ZimaOS.

Canonical page: https://ourlocalhost.com/app/858/blinko

## Description

Blinko is an open-source, AI-powered card note-taking application for quickly capturing and organizing fleeting thoughts, featuring retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) search to find notes instantly.

## Platform availability

Available on 6 of 9 platforms: Unraid, TrueNAS, ZimaOS, Mac, Windows, Linux.

## Desktop and other devices

Mac, Windows, Linux.

## Health score

82/100 (Excellent), based on 5 of 5 factors.
- Maintained: 88 (last commit 57 days ago)
- Popular: 81 (11,067 GitHub stars)
- Easy to install: 85 (6 install platforms, install notes, Docker image)
- Light to run: 80 (768 MB minimum RAM, runs on ARM)
- Security check: 70 (no serious findings, 5 minor, CI, tests)

## Links

- Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/blinkospace/blinko
- Unraid: https://ca.unraid.net/apps/blinko-0s0fbt51uwpj5p?q=Blinko
- TrueNAS: https://apps.truenas.com/catalog/blinko/
- ZimaOS: https://github.com/IceWhaleTech/CasaOS-AppStore/tree/main/Apps/Blinko
- desktop: https://github.com/blinko-space/blinko/releases/latest
- Official website: https://blinko.space
- GitHub: https://github.com/blinko-space/blinko

## Common questions

### Do I need to use Blinko's Docker install script?

Yes, if you are using Docker. A manual install without the provided setup script can miss required setup steps, so Blinko may not run the first time.

### What setup steps are required when installing Blinko from source?

Create and fill a .env file in the app root with the database login, secret key, and app URL. Build the app and run database migrations before starting the production server, or Blinko may fail or behave incorrectly.

### Does self-hosted Blinko store notes in the cloud?

No. Blinko is described as a self-hosted note-taking app where your data stays on your own server.

### Can a local Blinko instance always be reached from a phone over mobile data?

Not necessarily. A user reported a Docker Desktop instance working locally and with the phone app, but failing to connect from a public 5G connection.

## Alternatives

- AppFlowy: AppFlowy is an open-source, AI-powered workspace for managing projects, wikis, and team collaboration.
- Cryptee: Privacy-focused, encrypted and cross-platform data storage for documents, notes, photos, and files with advanced editing, live sync, and op…
- Gemini Notebook: AI-first notebook grounded in user-trusted information, limited to U.S.
- HelixNotes: HelixNotes is a local markdown note-taking app built with Rust, Tauri 2.0, and SvelteKit.
- La Suite Docs: Collaborative platform for real-time note-taking, documentation, and wikis, with offline support, granular permissions, AI tools, and multi…
- Microsoft OneNote: Microsoft OneNote, part of the Microsoft 365 Copilot, is a digital notebook application that gives people one place to gather notes and inf…
- Notesnook: Fully open-source, end-to-end encrypted notes with device-based security, secure sync, offline access, powerful editor, vault, backups, and…
- Notion: Streamline teamwork with real-time collaboration, drag-and-drop content organization, and visual simplicity across notes, tasks, wikis, and…
- PrivacyNotes: End-to-end encrypted platform with zero-knowledge security for notes, tasks, files, diary entries, and password management.
- Simplenote: Cross-platform cloud note-taking with plain text, syncing, tagging, real-time collaboration, markdown, version history, and open-source cli…
- Standard Notes: An end-to-end encrypted note-taking by Proton.
- dumbpad: DumbPad is a simple, modern notepad application with auto-save, optional authentication, and dark mode for quick self-hosted note-taking.

---
Source: Our Local Host (https://ourlocalhost.com/app/858/blinko), the self-hosted and open-source app directory.