# Welcome to Notate

> What Notate is, and how these docs are organized.

Source: https://notate.md/docs/getting-started/welcome/

Category: Getting started

Updated: 2026-08-16

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Notate is a markdown note-taking app for desktop, mobile, and the web. Every note you write is a plain `.md` file you own, stored on your device and editable in any other editor.

## What makes Notate different

- **Plain files, not a database.** Your notes are standard markdown on disk, organized into folders you control.
- **Offline-first.** The desktop and mobile apps work with no connection. Nothing waits on the network.
- **Sync and AI when you want them.** Start free and local, then add cross-device [Sync](https://notate.md/sync/) or the [AI](https://notate.md/ai/) assistant as you need them.

## How these docs are organized

- **Getting started** takes you from install to your first note.
- **Writing & Markdown** covers the editor and the formatting Notate supports.
- **Organizing your notes** is folders, workspaces, tags, and search.
- **Sync & account** and **AI & transcription** cover the paid capabilities.

Use the sidebar to jump around, or start with [Install Notate](https://notate.md/docs/getting-started/install/).