Writing

Self-Hosted

Open-source, minimalist markdown editor for focused content creation

Overview

Writing is a lightweight, distraction-free markdown editor designed for privacy-conscious writers. It offers real-time preview, custom themes, and export to PDF, HTML, or plain markdown. Self-hostable via Docker for full data ownership, it integrates with local storage or self-hosted cloud tools like Nextcloud. Features include syntax highlighting, keyboard shortcuts, and offline access—ideal for bloggers, students, or anyone who wants to avoid proprietary platforms and keep their drafts secure on their own server.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  writing:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: writing
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Distraction-free markdown editing with real-time preview
Self-hostable via Docker for full data control
Export to PDF, HTML, and plain markdown formats
Customizable themes and efficiency-focused keyboard shortcuts

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Writing hard to install?

Writing is easy to install using Docker—pull the official image and run it with minimal configuration. Step-by-step guides in the GitHub repo help users without Docker experience set it up on local machines or servers.

? Is it a good alternative to Notion?

Writing is a strong alternative if you prioritize focused writing and privacy over Notion’s complex collaboration/database features. It cuts bloat to deliver a streamlined editing experience for drafts and notes.

? Is Writing completely free?

Yes! Writing is open-source under the MIT License—free to use, modify, and self-host with no subscription fees or restrictions on features.

Top Alternatives

Notion Compare

Google Docs Compare

Microsoft Word Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Note-taking & Editors

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no third-party data collection)
⊕ No subscription fees or hidden costs
⊕ Lightweight and fast performance
⊕ Offline access for writing without internet

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server knowledge for self-hosting setup
⊖ Limited collaboration tools compared to SaaS editors
⊖ No native mobile app (web-based only)