Coda
Docs, tables, and apps combined into one collaborative workspace
AFFiNE
Unified canvas for writing, drawing, and planning together
A privacy-first, local-first workspace that merges docs, whiteboards, databases and AI assistance into a single, real-time collaborative platform for creative teams.
Overview
Overview
AFFiNE is a unified workspace that brings together note‑taking, whiteboarding, databases and AI‑driven assistance. It targets creators, knowledge workers and distributed teams who want a single surface for ideas, documentation and visual planning without juggling multiple apps.
Core capabilities
On an edgeless canvas you can place any block—rich text, sticky notes, embedded web pages, multi‑view tables, slides or code snippets—and rearrange them freely. The built‑in multimodal AI transforms outlines into slides, summarises articles into mind maps, and even generates prototype code from natural‑language prompts. Data lives locally by default, yet real‑time collaboration is enabled through CRDT‑based sync, allowing multiple users to edit simultaneously from web or desktop clients.
Deployment & extensibility
AFFiNE runs cross‑platform via Electron and can be self‑hosted with a single Docker image, giving full control over privacy and customization. An upcoming plugin system lets developers extend the block library, while the core is built on open‑source projects such as BlockSuite, OctoBase and Yjs.
Highlights
Edgeless canvas supporting any block type—text, embeds, databases, slides, code.
Multimodal AI that creates outlines, slides, mind maps, and prototype code from prompts.
Local‑first storage with optional real‑time collaboration across web and desktop.
Self‑hostable Docker deployment and extensible plugin ecosystem.
Pros
- Full control of data on local disk.
- Seamless blend of document editing and whiteboarding.
- AI‑powered assistance accelerates content creation.
- Open‑source and extensible via plugins.
Considerations
- Feature set still maturing; some advanced plugins not yet available.
- Higher resource usage compared to lightweight note‑taking apps.
- Learning curve for the edgeless canvas paradigm.
- Self‑hosting requires Docker knowledge.
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Fit guide
Great for
- Remote teams that need shared visual brainstorming and documentation.
- Knowledge workers who prefer owning their data locally.
- Creatives building presentations, mind maps, and UI prototypes in one place.
- Organizations looking for a customizable, open‑source alternative to Notion or Miro.
Not ideal when
- Users seeking a minimalistic plain‑text note app.
- Environments without Docker or sufficient system resources.
- Projects that require deep native integrations unavailable yet.
- Teams that rely exclusively on proprietary third‑party plugins.
How teams use it
Product roadmap planning
Combine sticky notes, timelines, and AI‑generated mind maps to visualize milestones and assign tasks in a single canvas.
Interactive lecture notes
Embed videos, code snippets, and live diagrams, then export as slides for seamless teaching material.
Design sprint prototyping
Sketch UI wireframes, attach mockup links, and let the AI suggest component code directly on the board.
Personal knowledge base
Store articles, research links, and personal reflections locally while syncing across devices for instant access.
Tech snapshot
TypeScript92%
Swift4%
Rust3%
Kotlin1%
JavaScript1%
C1%
Frequently asked questions
Is my data stored locally or in the cloud?
AFFiNE stores all content on your device by default; cloud sync is optional and uses end‑to‑end encryption.
Can I run AFFiNE on my own server?
Yes, a Docker image is provided for self‑hosting, and the source code can be built from the repository.
What platforms are supported?
Desktop clients for macOS, Windows, Linux (via Electron) and a web client accessible from any modern browser.
How does the AI assistant work?
The built‑in multimodal AI processes natural‑language prompts to generate text, slides, mind maps, or code snippets, leveraging the same model used in Canvas AI.
Is there a plugin system?
A plugin ecosystem is planned; core blocks are extensible and third‑party plugins will be available through the AFFiNE Component registry.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 62,028
- Watchers
- 62,028
- Forks
- 4,289
Repo age3 years old
Last commit24 hours ago
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 10 hours ago