Show HN: NoteDiscovery – Free Self-Hosted Alternative to Notion/Obsidian

Description and use

NoteDiscovery is a free, self‑hosted note‑taking app that stores data as plain markdown files and offers a web UI with live preview, removing the need for installations and external sync across devices.

Problem

Users of Obsidian face challenges installing the app on multiple devices and syncing notes across them.

Outcome

NoteDiscovery offers a free, MIT‑licensed, self‑hosted alternative to Notion/Obsidian that stores notes as plain markdown files and provides a live‑preview web UI, simplifying multi‑device access without external sync services.

Workflow

• 1. Install NoteDiscovery using Docker.
• 2. Store notes as plain markdown files in a shared directory.
• 3. Access notes via the web UI, which supports live preview.
• 4. Share the Docker container or host it on a personal server for multi‑device access.

Evidence

I built NoteDiscovery - a self-hosted note-taking app that stores everything as plain markdown files, and most importantly, free! :-)

Source

Key features: - Docker - Plain markdown files - Modern web UI with live preview

Source

Please bear in mind it’s in VERY early stages so it doesn’t get even close to what the excellent Obsidian can do

Source