Which platforms does Dnote support and how do you install it?

Dnote runs on macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows. It ships as a single binary with no dependencies or package managers required, so installation is essentially "download and run." You can also install it via Homebrew. The optional self-hosted sync server is likewise a single binary with SQLite, deployable with Docker or run directly.

Supported platforms

The site lists these four platforms explicitly. If your system isn't among them, the source is open and free to fork, but no prebuilt binary is advertised for other platforms.

How installation works

Dnote is distributed as a single binary, which is the key detail for anyone worried about setup complexity:

• No dependencies. You don't need a runtime, interpreter, or language toolchain installed first.
• No package manager required. Homebrew is offered as a convenience, not a prerequisite.
• Download and run. The documented flow is to grab the binary for your platform and execute it.

Because there's no dependency chain, the usual failure modes of CLI tool installs — version conflicts, missing libraries, PATH issues from package managers — largely don't apply. The main practical step is making the downloaded binary executable and reachable from your shell (for example, placing it on your PATH).

Installing via Homebrew

If you use Homebrew, installation is a single command rather than a manual download. This is the lowest-friction path on macOS and Linux. The site names Homebrew as a supported install method but doesn't publish the exact formula name in the material available here, so check the download page for the current command.

Installing via direct download

For FreeBSD and Windows, direct download is the listed route. The same binary approach applies: fetch the file for your platform, then run it. On Windows this means a standalone executable rather than an installer-driven setup.

What you get after installing

Once running, Dnote works entirely from the terminal:

• Capture without leaving the terminal — save commands, snippets, and insights as you work.
• Full-text search — search across all notes instantly instead of scrolling through shell history.
• Bring your own editor — your existing text editor works with Dnote, whether terminal-based or GUI.
• SQLite storage — one file holds everything, so you can back it up to any storage, query it with standard tools, or migrate it easily.

The SQLite format is worth noting if portability matters to you: your notes aren't locked in a proprietary store, and you can inspect or move the file with ordinary tools.

Optional: self-hosted sync server

Syncing across devices requires running your own server, which is a separate step from installing the client:

• Single binary with SQLite — no database setup required.
• Deploy with Docker or run it directly — two supported paths.
• Multi-device sync — sync data between devices through the server.
• REST API access — reach your notes from any HTTP client or build integrations.

If you only need notes on one machine, you can skip the server entirely. If you want the same notes on a laptop and a desktop, plan for the server step in addition to the client install.

Practical notes before you start

• Confirm your platform is covered. macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows are the advertised targets; anything else means building from source.
• Decide on sync up front. Single-device use needs only the binary. Multi-device use adds a server you host yourself, so factor in where it will run.
• Homebrew vs. direct download is mostly a preference question. Homebrew simplifies upgrades on macOS and Linux; direct download is the route for FreeBSD and Windows.
• The project is free and open source, first released in 2017, so you can inspect the code, contribute, or fork it if your needs diverge from the defaults.