SiYuan

Name: SiYuan
Price: 64 USD

Block-based local-first knowledge base whose Go kernel ships a 30-plus tool MCP server and HTTP API.

AdaptableOperable ProductDesktop app Hybrid GoTypeScript MCP server License: AGPL-3.0

SiYuan is a privacy-first personal knowledge manager with block-level references, databases, daily notes, and an SQL query layer, available as desktop, mobile, and a Docker-served kernel. The kernel exposes an HTTP API (API.md) and an in-kernel MCP server (kernel/mcp) with tools for notebooks, documents, blocks, search, SQL, attributes, assets, export, sync, and even web search. Core is free and AGPL; sync and some features are paid.

Use it when

you want block references and databases like Notion, stored locally, with an agent that can query them by SQL
you run a Docker kernel on your NAS and want daily notes written by an agent from the terminal

Gotchas

AGPL-3.0
Since v3.7.0 the Docker image needs an explicit serve subcommand
Official cloud sync and some features are paid; third-party S3/WebDAV sync needs PRO Features
Docker web UI is protected only by the access auth code unless OIDC is set

Last activity Sep 3, 2026. Fit: adaptable 2, operable 3.

Editions

Free · Free open source

Clonegit clone https://github.com/siyuan-note/siyuan
DownloadDownload
ImageContainer

PRO Features · $64 lifetime closed source

HostedOpen the hosted app

Subscription · $148 per year closed source

HostedOpen the hosted app

For agents: JSON · Markdown

Adaptable: what is yours to change

Make it yours

Config only10 things to edit

Docker serve mode is env-driven: SIYUAN_WORKSPACE_PATH, SIYUAN_ACCESS_AUTH_CODE (or SIYUAN_ACCESS_AUTH_CODE_BYPASS), SIYUAN_LANG, PUID and PGID, and an OIDC block (SIYUAN_OIDC_ENABLED, SIYUAN_OIDC_PROVIDER, SIYUAN_OIDC_REDIRECT_URL) that replaces the lock-screen code. The README carries docker-compose, Unraid, and TrueNAS examples. Desktop settings live in the UI.

Env vars: SIYUAN_WORKSPACE_PATH SIYUAN_ACCESS_AUTH_CODE SIYUAN_ACCESS_AUTH_CODE_BYPASS SIYUAN_OIDC_ENABLED SIYUAN_OIDC_PROVIDER SIYUAN_OIDC_REDIRECT_URL SIYUAN_LANG PUID PGID
Config files: docker-compose.yml
Prompt files: none
Accounts you need: OpenAI (optional, AI writing)SiYuan account (paid sync and PRO features)S3 or WebDAV provider (PRO third-party sync)

Source

github.com/siyuan-note/siyuan
AGPL-3.0 license
Last commit Sep 3, 2026
46,138 stars

Operable: what an agent can drive

Interface

OfficialMCP serverpublished by the builderlocal

How an agent can drive an Operable Listing, in five levels: native (built for the agent as the primary interface), official (the Builder ships an agent interface), wrapped (a third party wraps the software's API), config (an agent can only drive it by editing files), gui (screen control only). An interface is official only when it is published by the same organization that ships the software. GUI-level Listings are allowed and sorted last.

Docs: github.com/siyuan-note/siyuan/tree/master/kernel/mcp
Tools: notebook document block search sql attr tag bookmark dailynote database asset file image export import history sync template inbox todo_write ref outline repo workspace system web_fetch web_search question skill

Reach

Partial coverage. 9 of 10 jobs reachable through the stated interface.

Job	Through the interface	Evidence
Notebooks and documents	Reachable	kernel/mcp/tools notebook.go, document.go
Block-level read, insert, update, and move	Reachable	block.go
Search and SQL queries	Reachable	search.go, sql.go
Attributes, tags, bookmarks, and references	Reachable	attr.go, tag.go, bookmark.go, ref.go
Daily notes and templates	Reachable	dailynote.go, template.go
Databases (attribute views)	Reachable	database.go
Assets, files, and images	Reachable	asset.go, file.go, image.go
Export, import, history, and snapshots	Reachable	export.go, import.go, history.go, repo.go
Sync and workspace management	Reachable	sync.go, workspace.go, system.go
Plugins and marketplace, AI writing UI	Not reachable	no plugin tool in kernel/mcp/tools; AI writing is a UI feature over the OpenAI API

Code stack

Languages: GoTypeScript
Frameworks: ElectronGin
Package manager: go modules, pnpm
Database: SQLite
Hosting target: binarydocker
Built: Mixed (recorded, never ranked)

Model stack

Providers: OpenAI API (AI writing and chat)
Models: none
Keys you need: none
Prompts live in: none

Evidence and confidence

Field	Where it was seen	Confidence
formFactor	README: desktop app from app stores and installers; Docker serves the same kernel with a web UI	70%
executionModel	AI writing and Q/A through OpenAI API; MCP tools include web_search and question; notes work without a model	75%
operability	kernel/mcp/tools in the repo with 30-plus tool files; tagline 'From thought to insight, with agents'	90%
effort	README Docker section names SIYUAN_* env vars	90%
editions	b3log.org/siyuan/en/pricing.html: core free, PRO Features $64 lifetime, Subscription $148/year	85%
active	pushedAt 2026-09-03	–
provenance	AGENTS.md at root; project from 2020	40%
reach		85%

Open questions

Is the level native rather than official? The Builder now leads with agents but the app predates them
Does the MCP server require the paid tier for any tool (sync, web_search)?

Sources

github.com/siyuan-note/siyuan sourcing:notes-knowledge:curated
b3log.org/siyuan/en/pricing.html analysis
github.com/siyuan-note/siyuan/tree/master/kernel/mcp/tools analysis