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Joplin

COLLAB
Velocity6.3

Open-source note-taking and to-do application with end-to-end encryption and multi-device sync

joplinapp.org ↗

Joplin 3.7 ships AI chat, semantic search, and MCP integration — all off by default, all controllable by the user.

note-takingai-integrationprivacymcplocal-firstsemantic-search
◆Current state
Joplin 3.7 is the product's first real AI release: an in-app chat panel for querying the currently open note, semantic (meaning-based) search across notebooks, and an MCP server that lets external AI assistants connect to Joplin's note graph. The implementation is privacy-first by design — AI is disabled by default, local models (Ollama, LM Studio) are explicitly supported, and cloud AI services only receive the specific note content relevant to a request rather than the full notebook. A companion documentation post published September 14 lays out the privacy model explicitly.
◆Where it's heading
Joplin is repositioning from a sync-agnostic note-taking app into an AI-native knowledge base, differentiated by opt-in, local-first controls. The HMD Terra M preload partnership and the warrant canary point to a deliberate push toward privacy-conscious enterprise and professional users who distrust cloud-first tools. The MCP integration is particularly strategic: it makes Joplin's note graph accessible to external orchestration pipelines without locking into any particular AI provider.
◆Prediction
The next major release will likely expand AI chat to multi-note context — currently limited to the open note — and add more configurable MCP tools. The HTR (handwritten text recognition) project from the 2024 French government partnership is also likely to appear in a near-term release.

◆Recent moves

  1. 2d ago

    Your notes and AI: privacy first

    Joplin published an explicit privacy statement for its new AI features: AI is opt-in, only the relevant note content is sent to cloud providers, and local models prevent any external data transmission. This documentation is tightly coupled to the 3.7 release and frames the product's AI stance as a deliberate competitive position — relevant for the professional users Joplin is targeting.

    View source ↗
  2. 16d ago

    What's new in Joplin 3.7

    ⚡ SPARK

    Joplin 3.7 is the product's AI entry point — chat, semantic search, and MCP in a single release, all built around a privacy model that keeps AI off by default and supports local models. This is the moment Joplin moves from a capable note-taking app to a serious contender in the AI-native knowledge base category.

    View source ↗
  3. 4mo ago

    What's new in Joplin 3.6

    Joplin 3.6 addressed the OneNote import path — historically one of the main friction points for users leaving Microsoft's ecosystem — and continued incremental Markdown editor stability work. Mobile improvements narrowed the gap between desktop and mobile experiences. These are the foundational quality improvements that make 3.7's AI features feel like they belong in the product rather than being bolted on.

    View source ↗
  4. 6mo ago

    Introducing our Warrant Canary

    Joplin introduced a signed warrant canary — a regularly updated statement confirming no secret legal orders have been received. No product functionality changes; this is a transparency mechanism for users who need verifiable assurances about legal access to their data. It's consistent with Joplin's broader privacy positioning but doesn't affect the product itself.

    View source ↗
  5. 7mo ago

    Joplin will come preloaded on the HMD Terra M

    Joplin will come preloaded on the HMD Terra M, a hardened enterprise device from HMD Secure. This is a distribution move rather than a capability change — it expands Joplin's reach into regulated-industry and professional segments where a preloaded, privacy-forward note-taking app has real appeal.

    View source ↗
  6. 8mo ago

    What's new in Joplin 3.5

    Joplin 3.5 tightened the Markdown editing experience and added incremental mobile improvements, part of the sustained quality work leading up to the 3.7 AI release. More stable editing and consistent rendering reduce the baseline friction that makes note-taking feel unreliable.

    View source ↗