Dendron Notes - An alternative note taking app for PKM / To Do / Journal

TL;DR

Dendron is a free, open-source note-taking system built on top of Microsoft VS Code, not a standalone app.

Briefing Cornell Notes

Briefing

Dendron is a free, open-source note-taking system built on top of Microsoft VS Code that keeps everything as local Markdown files—so notes live on the user’s machine, can be backed up anywhere, and remain readable outside the app. It also brings the familiar PKM toolkit: backlinks between notes, a graph view for navigation, and structured views that help users move beyond either rigid folders or purely link-driven browsing.

Installation starts with getting VS Code installed, then adding the Dendron extension. From there, users initialize a “workspace” (either an empty repository or a starter set with tutorial notes). The setup process can prompt recommended companion extensions—such as Markdown shortcuts, paste image support, Markdown links, and Markdown notes—while allowing users to disable optional themes. Once initialized, the workspace appears inside VS Code with a set of Markdown files organized into a vault.

The core workflow hinges on local-first storage. Notes are saved as plain Markdown in the chosen workspace directory, meaning they can be opened with standard tools like Notepad or edited in any Markdown-capable editor. A Markdown preview pane renders the same content as an HTML-like view, making it easier to read without changing the underlying file format. Because the data is not proprietary or locked to a single platform, users can copy and paste notes into services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox for additional backup.

Where Dendron tries to differentiate itself is in balancing structure and flexibility. Many note systems either enforce strict hierarchies (which can create silos) or rely heavily on backlinks (which can feel too open-ended). Dendron’s approach uses a topic-based structure—surfaced through dedicated views like Journal and Dendron sections—while still maintaining backlinks and graph navigation. Instead of scattering content into separate folders such as “Dendron” and “Topics” and then losing it later, Dendron keeps related notes discoverable through its built-in navigation.

The interface also supports multiple ways to understand a note’s context. An outline/tree view shows the hierarchical organization of a note (similar to chapters and paragraphs), while the graph view visualizes relationships. Backlinks appear as the connective tissue: when a note links to others, those references show up so users can “explore the graph” in both directions. The transcript demonstrates this by deleting and adding notes within the workspace and observing that changes persist in the vault, reinforcing the local control model.

Overall, Dendron positions itself as a structured-but-not-siloed PKM system: local-first Markdown ownership, plus backlinks and graph-based discovery, with an emphasis on finding a middle ground between hierarchy and link-only navigation. Future coverage is promised on deeper features and how it stacks up against other note-taking apps.

Cornell Notes

Dendron is a free, open-source note-taking tool that runs inside Microsoft VS Code and stores notes as local Markdown files. After installing the Dendron extension and initializing a workspace, users can choose a starter set of tutorial notes or start from an empty repository. The system supports Markdown preview, backlinks, and graph view, letting users navigate notes through both structure and relationships. Dendron’s key differentiator is aiming for a middle ground between strict hierarchies and relying only on backlinks. Because notes are plain Markdown saved in a vault directory, users retain full control and can back up or edit files outside the app.

What makes Dendron “local-first,” and why does that matter for note ownership?

Dendron saves notes as Markdown files directly in the user’s chosen workspace (the “vault” directory). The transcript emphasizes that notes can be opened with standard tools like Notepad and can be copied into backup services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Since the format is plain Markdown, users aren’t locked into a proprietary system or a single app’s internal database.

How does Dendron combine structure with discovery instead of forcing one navigation style?

The transcript frames Dendron as a midpoint between rigid hierarchies and purely backlink-driven browsing. Notes are organized into topic-like sections (e.g., Dendron and Journal areas), but backlinks and graph view still connect related notes. This reduces the “silo” problem where folders hide content unless users actively search for it.

What does the setup process look like inside VS Code?

Users install VS Code first, then add the Dendron extension. They run a command via Control Shift P and choose “Dendron initialize workspace.” They can keep the suggested location or change it, then select either “initialize with tutorial notes” or “initialize an empty repository.” After initialization, VS Code may prompt recommended extensions like Dendron Markdown shortcuts, paste image Markdown links, and Markdown notes.

How do backlinks and graph view change how users find related notes?

Backlinks appear in the context of a note, showing which other files link to it. The graph view then visualizes these relationships, and the outline/tree view shows the hierarchical structure within the note. Together, they let users move through both the note’s internal structure and its external connections.

What evidence in the workflow shows that edits persist and remain under user control?

The transcript demonstrates deleting notes within the workspace (while keeping the root) and then checking the vault directory to confirm the changes are reflected there. It also shows that adding new notes makes them appear in the vault. This reinforces that the source of truth is the local Markdown files, not a hidden proprietary store.

Review Questions

How does Dendron’s local Markdown storage affect backup options and long-term accessibility compared with app-locked note formats?
Describe the “middle ground” Dendron aims for between hierarchy and backlinks. What UI elements support that balance?
After initializing a Dendron workspace, what views and features help you navigate notes (e.g., outline/tree, backlinks, graph view, Markdown preview)?

Key Points

1
Dendron is a free, open-source note-taking system built on top of Microsoft VS Code, not a standalone app.
2
Notes are stored as local Markdown files in a user-selected workspace (“vault”), enabling direct access and backups via common cloud drives.
3
Dendron supports Markdown preview so the same content can be read in rendered form without changing the underlying files.
4
Backlinks and graph view provide relationship-based navigation, while outline/tree and topic organization provide structure-based navigation.
5
Dendron aims to balance rigid hierarchy and backlink-only browsing to reduce the “siloed notes” problem.
6
Initialization can start from tutorial notes or an empty repository, and recommended companion extensions can be installed during setup.

Highlights

Dendron keeps notes as plain Markdown on the machine, so they can be opened outside the app and backed up to services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox.

Backlinks and graph view turn note relationships into navigable connections, not just references buried in text.

The system’s differentiator is a middle ground: structured topic organization plus link-based discovery rather than folders alone or backlinks alone.

Topics

Dendron Setup
Local-First Markdown
Backlinks
Graph View
PKM Notes

Mentioned

Microsoft VS Code
Visual Studio Code
Dendron