Cortext
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Obsidian alternative

An Obsidian-style vault with an AI agent built in

Cortext is a native macOS app for people who like how Obsidian keeps notes as local Markdown, and want AI that works on those files directly instead of through a plugin chat window. Point it at your vault. Your files stay exactly where they are.

Opens existing vaults · Native macOS · 7-day free trialDownload Cortext for macOS

Works with the vault you already have

Cortext reads plain Markdown in place. There is no import step and no proprietary database.

  • [[WikiLinks]], backlinks, and a graph view
  • Callouts, code blocks, tables, and tasks
  • Inline comments written as ==highlight==^[comment], which Obsidian renders as a highlight with an inline footnote
  • Pasted images saved to a regular CortextAssets/ folder that Obsidian can resolve
  • Cortext's own data lives in a hidden .cortext/ folder, so both apps can open the same vault

Where Cortext is different

  • AI is the core, not a plugin. Thoughts sees your workspace, the current document, @-referenced files, and local memory, and can create and edit notes.
  • An AI-maintained wiki. Cortext can build and keep up a linked knowledge layer from your notes in a hidden folder, without touching your own files.
  • Every change is reversible. Edits from you, the agent, or other editors become versioned history with diff and restore.
  • A permission gate. Risky shell commands, unknown tools, and writes outside the workspace wait for your approval.
  • Web and PDF capture. Save a URL or PDF as a local source with provenance, and annotate PDFs with standard highlights that Preview and Zotero can see.

Cortext vs Obsidian at a glance

  • Storage: both keep notes as local Markdown files in folders you control.
  • AI: Obsidian relies on community plugins. Cortext ships an agent with history, approvals, and memory.
  • Models: Cortext connects to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, DeepSeek, Moonshot, Z.AI, OpenAI-compatible endpoints, or Claude Code, using your own accounts.
  • Platforms: Obsidian runs on desktop and mobile. Cortext is macOS only (macOS 15 or later, Apple Silicon).
  • Extensions: Obsidian has a large community plugin ecosystem. Cortext extends through agent skills you call with slash commands.
  • Price: Obsidian itself is free. Cortext is a one-time $29.9 license for 2 devices after a 7-day free trial.

When to stay with Obsidian

If you need Windows, Linux, or mobile apps, or depend on specific community plugins, Obsidian remains the better fit. Because Cortext works on the same files, you can also keep Obsidian on your phone and use Cortext on your Mac for AI work.

Try it on your vault

Download Cortext, open your vault folder, and use everything free for 7 days. No account, card, or email required.

Download Cortext for macOS