# flxzt/rnote

Sketch and take handwritten notes.

Repository: https://github.com/flxzt/rnote
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/rnote
Homepage: https://rnote.flxzt.net
Language: Rust
License: GPL-3.0
License Family: copyleft
Topics: gtk, gtk4, rust, gtk4-rs, notes, notes-app, wacom-tablet, drawing, handwriting, pdf, hacktoberfest, gtk-rs, infinite-canvas
Last push: 2026-08-16T14:18:27+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 92/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-02T17:46:02.011165+00:00)
- activity 98, release rhythm 81, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 1854, "days_push": 17, "days_rel": 124, "gap_med": 18, "n_releases_24m": 6}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 11589, forks 489 (observed 2026-08-28T04:10:48.789183+00:00)

## What it is
Rnote is an open-source vector-based drawing application for sketching, handwritten notes, and annotating documents and pictures, written in Rust with GTK4. It targets students, teachers, and drawing tablet owners with pressure-sensitive stylus input, an infinite canvas, and PDF/image import and export.

## Use cases
- take handwritten notes with a stylus on a drawing tablet
- sketch diagrams and drawings on an infinite canvas
- annotate PDFs and pictures by hand
- export handwritten notes to PDF or SVG
- use a free open-source alternative to OneNote or Xournal++ on Linux

## When to choose
- you own a drawing tablet and want pressure-sensitive handwriting on Linux, macOS, or Windows
- you need vector-based notes that export to SVG, PDF, or Xopp formats
- you want an adaptive GTK4 app that works on both big and small screens
- you prefer free and open-source software for note-taking and sketching

## When to avoid
- you need a stable, guaranteed-compatible file format for long-term archival (the .rnote format is still unstable)
- you need cloud sync or collaborative editing, which Rnote does not provide
- you primarily type notes rather than handwriting or sketching
- you need a mature ecosystem of plugins or mobile support

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: image-processing, pdf, cli, graphics
- domain: developer-tools, education, graphics, cross-platform
- platform: windows, rust
- tags: handwriting, stylus, sketching, note-taking, infinite-canvas, vector-graphics, gtk4, pdf-annotation, drawing-tablet, linux, macos, desktop

## Member repositories
- flxzt/rnote (main) score 92

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:10:48.789183+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-29T17:15:29.723854+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/flxzt/rnote (fetched 2026-08-28T04:10:48.789183+00:00, sha e21e2246ee4a)
  - homepage: https://rnote.flxzt.net (fetched 2026-08-29T08:13:57.428887+00:00, sha 216a810496b4)
  - site_page: https://blog.flxzt.net/about (fetched 2026-08-29T08:13:57.434535+00:00, sha 3bd914f64752)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.