Kuku

Name: Kuku
Brand: kuku

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AI-native Markdown editor for macOS

Writing Apps AI Assistants Note-Taking

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Tracked since2026

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

No vendor lock-in, files are plain .md on your disk

Biggest con

macOS only, no Windows or Linux version

TL;DR - Kuku

AI-native Markdown editor for macOS with local-first file storage
Gemini AI agent searches your vault and suggests edits as diffs
Lightweight Tauri app (~15MB) compatible with git and Obsidian

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

What is Kuku?

Editorial review

Kuku is an AI-native Markdown editor for macOS that combines local-first file storage with built-in AI capabilities. Files stay as .md on disk, compatible with vim, git, and Obsidian. Features include bidirectional WikiLinks, a force-directed graph view, a Gemini-powered AI agent that can search your vault and create documents, cursor-style diff editing, local speech-to-text via Whisper.cpp, and full-text search with BM25 ranking. Lightweight at ~15MB.

Available on: macOS, Windows, Linux

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourcekuku.mom ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

No vendor lock-in, files are plain .md on your disk
AI agent can search, read, and create documents in your vault
Extremely lightweight (~15MB bundle, ~80MB memory)
Offline speech-to-text with no cloud dependency

Cons

macOS only, no Windows or Linux version
AI features depend on Gemini API key
Young project with limited community and plugins
No mobile companion app

Key Features

Local-first .md files compatible with git and ObsidianBidirectional WikiLinks with autocomplete and backlinksForce-directed graph visualization of connectionsGemini-powered AI agent with tool callingCursor-style AI editing shown as accept/reject diffsLocal speech-to-text via Whisper.cpp (offline)Full-text search with SQLite FTS5 and BM25 rankingKorean tokenization support

Pricing

Free

Kuku is completely free to use with no hidden costs.

View pricing

Is Kuku worth the price?

95/100

Kuku's pricing is extremely generous, as it offers a fully-featured AI-native Markdown editor for free.

The only 'cost' is the separate billing for Google's Gemini API key, which is standard for AI integrations. This model is best for users who want advanced AI capabilities in their Markdown editor without a subscription fee.

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Best Kuku Alternatives

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ObsidianFreemium

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LogseqFree

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Kuku FAQ

How does Kuku facilitate note-taking and knowledge management?

Kuku supports note-taking through local-first Markdown files, which remain compatible with tools like Obsidian and git. It includes features such as bidirectional WikiLinks and a force-directed graph view to help users organize and visualize connections between their notes.

Which teams would benefit most from using Kuku?

Teams that prioritize local file storage, Markdown compatibility, and integrated AI assistance for document creation and search would find Kuku beneficial. Its lightweight nature and offline speech-to-text capabilities also suit users who need efficient, self-contained tools.

How does Kuku compare to Obsidian for Markdown editing?

Kuku, like Obsidian, uses local-first Markdown files, ensuring no vendor lock-in and compatibility with other tools. However, Kuku differentiates itself with a built-in Gemini-powered AI agent for vault search and document creation, and local speech-to-text via Whisper.cpp.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of before adopting Kuku?

Kuku is currently exclusive to macOS, lacking versions for Windows or Linux. Its AI features require a Gemini API key, and as a newer project, it has a more limited community and plugin ecosystem compared to established alternatives.

How is Kuku priced?

Kuku is free to use and does not require any paid plans to access its features. This includes its AI capabilities and local-first Markdown editing.

Can Kuku's AI agent interact with existing documents in a user's vault?

Yes, Kuku's Gemini-powered AI agent is designed to search your existing vault, read its contents, and create new documents based on that information. This allows for intelligent interaction with your local knowledge base.

Does Kuku offer any offline capabilities for its advanced features?

Kuku provides local speech-to-text functionality via Whisper.cpp, which operates without requiring a cloud connection. This allows users to transcribe audio to text even when offline.

Source: kuku.mom

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