Zettelkasten app for macOS
A Native Zettelkasten App for the Mac
The Zettelkasten method lives or dies on connections. Metis makes them effortless: write atomic Markdown notes, connect them with [[links]], and get automatic backlinks, unlinked-mention discovery, aliases, and a graph view that shows your slip-box as it grows. Add on-device AI and semantic search, and your ideas compound. Plain .md files; $14.99 one-time.
$14.99 one-time · no subscription · 7-day free trial
Connections surface passively
Sized by connection count
Future-proof slip-box
Built for connected thinking
Wiki links & backlinks
Connect notes with [[links]]; backlinks are automatic, so every note shows what references it - no manual upkeep.
Graph view
Visualize the whole web of notes, sized by connection count, to spot clusters, hubs, and orphans.
Unlinked mentions
Metis surfaces notes that name the current one in plain text, with one-click linking - connections you would otherwise miss.
Aliases
Give a note alternate names so it can be linked naturally however you phrase it.
Semantic search & AI
Find related notes by meaning with on-device embeddings, and let the AI suggest links to weave new notes into your slip-box.
Version history
Git-backed snapshots and diffs let you see how a permanent note evolved over time.
Atomic notes, connected effortlessly
A Zettelkasten works best when capturing a thought and linking it is frictionless. In Metis you write a short note in plain Markdown, drop in a [[link]], and the backlink appears on the other side automatically. Unlinked mentions catch the connections you forgot to make, and the graph keeps the whole structure legible as it grows into hundreds or thousands of notes.
Typed properties (status, source, topic) and tags add just enough structure to keep a large slip-box navigable without turning it into a database.
- [[wiki links]], automatic backlinks, aliases
- Unlinked-mention discovery with one-click linking
- Graph view + typed properties for structure
Private, fast, and yours
Metis is native SwiftUI, so even a large slip-box stays fast, with instant cold start via a persistent index. Notes are plain Markdown files you own, and the AI - semantic search, link suggestions, summaries - runs entirely on-device, so your thinking never leaves your Mac.
Requires macOS 15+. On-device AI needs macOS 26 with Apple Intelligence; the Zettelkasten features work without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Metis good for the Zettelkasten method?
Yes. It provides atomic Markdown notes, [[wiki links]] with automatic backlinks, unlinked mentions, aliases, and a graph view - the core machinery of a Zettelkasten - plus semantic search and on-device AI to surface connections.
Are backlinks automatic?
Yes. When you link to a note, that note automatically shows the backlink. Unlinked mentions also surface notes that reference the current one in plain text, with one-click linking.
Can I see my notes as a graph?
Yes. The graph view visualizes the whole web of notes, sized by connection count, so you can spot hubs, clusters, and orphaned notes.
Are my notes locked in?
No. Every note is a plain Markdown file with YAML front matter on your disk - portable, diff-able, and readable by other apps and git.
How much does Metis cost?
Metis is $14.99 one-time (7-day free trial), with no subscription.