Scratch is a simple Markdown notes app built for local AI work
Scratch is an open-source note app for plain, local writing. It stores notes as Markdown files, which makes them easier to use with tools like Claude Code and Codex.
The Reddit post introduces Scratch, a minimal note-taking app. It is built around local Markdown files, so your notes are not locked inside a cloud service or private app format. It is described as offline-first and aimed at macOS, Windows, and Linux.
For solo makers, the practical value is the AI workflow. Since notes are normal .md files, local AI tools such as Claude Code and Codex can read and edit them more easily. The app also includes WYSIWYG editing, full-text search, a command palette, and git support, so it can work as a lightweight project notebook, not just a scratchpad.
Key points
- Scratch is an open-source Markdown note-taking app.
- Notes are saved as local .md files instead of only inside a cloud app.
- It is designed to work well with Claude Code, Codex, and similar local AI tools.
- It includes WYSIWYG editing, search, a command palette, and git support.
- It is most useful if you want simple notes that AI tools can safely read and update.
Quick term guide
- open-source
- Software whose code is shared publicly so others can inspect, use, or change it.
- Markdown
- A simple text format for headings, lists, links, and other basic document structure.
- cloud
- A remote computer you use over the internet instead of your own device.
- offline-first
- Designed to work well even when you do not have an internet connection.
- AI workflow
- A repeatable set of steps that uses AI to help finish a task.
- workflow
- A repeatable set of steps for getting a task done.
- AI tools
- Software that can help create text, code, images, or other work.
- WYSIWYG
- An editor where what you see while editing looks close to the final result.