PKSPKMS

[!info] I’ve not yet released it, out of shame. Will do in future.

Paul Kenny’S Personal Knowledge Management System

A HTTP API server and command line tool written in Java that can get data about Markdown files and their links to each other (and other files) in a directory (PKMS).

Uses YAML frontmatter in Markdown files as metadata and links in text content, including Wikilinks.

Made to complement Obsidian.

My uses:

• API for PKSPKMS Bookmarks Firefox Extension
• Export files outside of the PKMS, like to My Personal Website

Server

# Start server
pkspkms server -port "3000" -directory "/path/to/notes/"
# In another terminal 
curl GET "http://localhost:3000/list/files?tags=Public" | jq .

Command-line

# Export JSON graph
pkspkms export -directory "" -query "" -output "" -type "graph" -sqlite-db "" -options "wikilinks,backlinks" -depth "2"
# Export Markdown files
pkspkms export -directory "" -query "" -output "" -type "markdown" -sqlite-db "" -options "wikilinks,backlinks,base" -includeLinked "jpg,png"

Note: -depth retrieves files from outside the query. ==This can leak your information if you’re not careful==.

Features

• Export files
• Export file links graph as JSON
• Bad query language for filtering
• Kinda works a tiny bit with Obsidian Base
• Wikilinks work
• Backlinks
• REST-like API

Known Issues

• ==Lots==
• Doesn’t support single line, comma separated tags

(WIP) How It Works Internally, Kinda

Other Personal Knowledge Management Software

• mdzk - an API for your Markdown vault, see docs. Very similar to what I’m doing here. Hasn’t seen very much development in the last two years (07-2025).
• SiYuan, HN discussion
• Obsidian
• Logseq
• TheBrain: The Ultimate Digital Memory - has an interesting way to explore your graph connections
• Heptabase - pretty slick looking and I like how annotating looks but it’s not file/local first
• TriliumNext Notes
• nb · command line and local web plain text note-taking, bookmarking, archiving, and knowledge base application, Github

Lists

• MaggieAppleton/digital-gardeners - I also like Maggie’s other works, I’m subscribed to her blog RSS.
• lyz-code/best-of-digital-gardens: Ranked list of awesome digital gardens / second brains
• KasperZutterman/Second-Brain: list of awesome Public Zettelkastens/Second Brains/Digital Gardens

Tasks

GOTO - The Brightest Minds in Tech: Beyond the Cloud: The Local-First Software Revolution • Brooklyn Zelenka & Julian Wood
Starting from: 00:13:02

Episode webpage: https://gotopia.tech/articles/374/beyond-the-cloud-the-local-first-software-revolution

Media file: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1714721/episodes/17670928-beyond-the-cloud-the-local-first-software-revolution-brooklyn-zelenka-julian-wood.mp3#t=782

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