Diary

TUI-Journal – terminal-based diary and note-taking application

TUI-Journal is a keyboard-driven journal and note-taking program for people who prefer to manage their writing inside a terminal. It presents entries through a full-screen text interface and includes an integrated editor, removing the need to switch to a separate graphical application for everyday journaling.

The program can store entries using different local formats. This flexibility matters when a user wants a single database, human-readable files or data that external calendar synchronisation software can exchange. In particular, its iCalendar directory backend creates VJOURNAL files rather than implementing a built-in CalDAV synchronisation service.

TUI-Journal combines traditional shell-oriented operation with interactive navigation and searching. Entry filtering, coloured tags and bulk actions make it practical for collections that have grown beyond an occasional note. Editing and presentation can be adjusted to suit established keyboard habits.

This is free and open source software.

Key Features

  • Create, read, edit and delete entries from a full-screen terminal interface.
  • Choose between JSON files, a SQLite database and an iCalendar VJOURNAL directory backend.
  • Use the VJOURNAL directory with an external CalDAV-capable synchronisation tool.
  • Compose entries in the built-in editor or open a preferred external terminal editor.
  • Configure optional automatic titles for new entries.
  • Organise writing using coloured tags and configurable filters.
  • Search entry titles and content, including smart-case fuzzy finding.
  • Sort entries by date, title or priority and use multi-select for bulk operations.
  • Use Vim-inspired navigation alongside Emacs-inspired editing keys and visual selection.
  • Undo and redo changes without abandoning the current editing session.
  • Copy, cut and paste text, including optional synchronisation with the system clipboard.
  • Import and export between supported storage backends and export individual entry content.
  • Use persistent sorting preferences and readily accessible keybinding help.
  • cross-platform support – runs on Linux, Windows, macOS and NetBSD.

Website: github.com/AmmarAbouZor/tui-journal
Support:
Developer: Ammar Abou Zor
License: MIT License

TUI-Journal in action

TUI-Journal is written in Rust. Learn Rust with our recommended free books and free tutorials.


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