repeater is a command-line flashcard program built around a Markdown-first workflow. Instead of maintaining a separate card collection, it treats ordinary Markdown notes as the source of truth and detects flashcard material embedded alongside the rest of the document. That lets users write notes and active-recall material in the same files rather than continually copying information between a note-taking tool and a study application.
Cards can use straightforward question-and-answer blocks or cloze-style prompts. Review progress is tracked separately in SQLite, while scheduling is handled by the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler (FSRS). This keeps the Markdown files clean and portable while still providing adaptive review intervals. Formatting-only changes do not have to reset a card’s history because repeater uses content-based identity designed to follow the meaning of a card.
The program has grown well beyond its original minimal feature set. It can import Anki .apkg decks into Markdown, open linked images, audio and video, and handle multiple cloze deletions as separate cards. An optional LLM helper can suggest missing cloze brackets or rephrase basic questions when the user configures a compatible service, but the normal flashcard workflow does not depend on that feature.
There is also beta integration with Apple Notes for users who want to study cards written there without first exporting them. On Linux, the core appeal remains the simpler terminal-and-text workflow: edit decks with existing tools, keep the material in version control if desired, and let repeater index, schedule and present the cards when it is time to review.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Uses ordinary Markdown notes as the source for flashcard decks.
- Supports question-and-answer cards and cloze-style cards embedded alongside normal notes.
- Schedules reviews with FSRS while storing progress in SQLite.
- Handles multiple cloze deletions as separate cards.
- Opens linked images, audio and video associated with cards.
- Imports existing Anki .apkg decks and converts their cards to Markdown.
- Uses meaning-based card identities so formatting changes do not unnecessarily reset study progress.
- Offers an optional LLM helper for suggesting cloze brackets and rephrasing basic questions.
- Provides beta Apple Notes integration for studying cards directly from notes on macOS.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: github.com/shaankhosla/repeater
Support:
Developer: Shaan Khosla
License: Apache License 2.0
Related Software
| Terminal-Based Flashcard Software | |
|---|---|
| hashcards | Plain text-based spaced repetition system for flashcards |
| repeater | Like a lightweight, text-based Anki you run in your terminal |
| mdfc | Learn with flashcards and spaced repetition |
| hascard | Minimal command-line utility for reviewing notes |
| HardV | Billed as a powerful cross-platform flashcard program |
| Vocage | Minimalistic terminal-based vocabulary-learning tool |
| Flashdown | Spaced repetition using flashcards in Markdown |
| carddown | Spaced repetition for markdown notes |
| terminal-anki | Keyboard-driven flashcards with spaced repetition and Anki imports |
| GoCard | Markdown-based flashcard system with spaced repetition |
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