Bookmarkify
Visual bookmark manager for creative inspiration.
Benotes
Self-hosted notes and bookmarks manager in one interface
Open-source web app combining notes and bookmarks side-by-side. Supports markdown, rich text, PWA installation, and flexible hosting with PHP/Lumen.
Overview
Unified Notes and Bookmarks
Benotes is a self-hosted web application that brings your notes and bookmarks together in a single, streamlined interface. Built on the lightweight Lumen framework with a Vue.js frontend, it automatically enriches saved URLs with images, titles, and descriptions while offering both markdown and rich text editing for notes.
Flexible Deployment and Sharing
Designed for easy deployment, Benotes runs on standard PHP hosting, Docker, or Docker Compose. It supports filesystem and S3 storage backends, making it adaptable to various infrastructure setups. Collections can be shared via public URLs, and when installed as a Progressive Web App, users gain native-like mobile experiences with share-target capabilities. Daily backup functionality helps protect your data.
Current Status
Benotes is in active beta development. While core functionality is stable, users may encounter occasional bugs. The project includes a REST API for programmatic access, a bookmarklet for quick saves, and supports instant link pasting to create new posts. The MIT license and PHP/Vue stack make it accessible for self-hosting enthusiasts seeking control over their personal knowledge management.
Highlights
Side-by-side notes and bookmarks with automatic URL metadata extraction
Progressive Web App with mobile installation and share-target support
Flexible hosting on PHP servers, Docker, or cloud platforms
Public collection sharing and daily backup protection
Pros
- Lightweight PHP/Lumen stack runs on minimal infrastructure
- Dual editor support (markdown and rich text) for flexible note-taking
- PWA capabilities enable offline access and native mobile integration
- Multiple storage backends (filesystem and S3) for deployment flexibility
Considerations
- Currently in beta with potential bugs and stability issues
- PHP 7.4 dependency may require legacy runtime environments
- Limited community size compared to established note-taking platforms
- Manual artisan commands needed for certain maintenance tasks
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Fit guide
Great for
- Self-hosting enthusiasts wanting unified bookmark and note management
- Users seeking lightweight alternatives to heavy Electron-based apps
- Teams needing shareable collections with public URL access
- Developers comfortable with PHP/Laravel ecosystem tooling
Not ideal when
- Organizations requiring enterprise-grade support and SLAs
- Users expecting polished, production-ready software without beta quirks
- Teams needing real-time collaborative editing features
- Non-technical users uncomfortable with command-line maintenance
How teams use it
Personal Knowledge Base
Consolidate research bookmarks and project notes in one searchable interface with automatic link previews
Shared Resource Collections
Curate public reading lists or reference libraries accessible via shareable URLs without requiring user accounts
Mobile Content Capture
Install as PWA to quickly save articles and ideas from mobile browsers using native share functionality
Lightweight Team Wiki
Deploy on minimal infrastructure to create a simple documentation hub with markdown support and daily backups
Tech snapshot
PHP54%
Vue29%
JavaScript11%
HTML3%
SCSS1%
CSS1%
Frequently asked questions
What hosting requirements does Benotes have?
Benotes runs on PHP 7.4+ with the Lumen framework. It supports standard web hosting, Docker containers, and Docker Compose deployments. Storage can use filesystem or S3-compatible backends.
Can I use Benotes offline or on mobile devices?
Yes, Benotes can be installed as a Progressive Web App on mobile and desktop, enabling offline access and native share-target integration on supported browsers.
How does automatic bookmark metadata extraction work?
When you save a URL, Benotes automatically fetches and stores the page's image, title, and description, creating rich previews without manual data entry.
Is Benotes production-ready?
Benotes is currently in beta. Core features work, but users may encounter bugs. It includes backup functionality and is suitable for personal use with awareness of its beta status.
Can I share my collections with others?
Yes, collections can be made publicly accessible via shareable URLs, allowing others to view your curated bookmarks and notes without requiring authentication.
Project at a glance
Stable- Stars
- 852
- Watchers
- 852
- Forks
- 46
LicenseMIT
Repo age6 years old
Last commit9 months ago
Self-hostingSupported
Primary languagePHP
Last synced 3 hours ago