Glossary
The language of
knowledge work, defined.
Every term you will meet when choosing, using, or arguing about note systems and AI knowledge tools, in plain language.
A
API key
A secret token that lets software act on your account with defined permissions. NoteX keys (prefixed nx_) are scoped read-only or read/write, optionally page-limited and expiring, with every request logged. See API & MCP.
Agent
An AI system that works toward a goal with tools rather than only answering questions, like searching your workspace, then drafting a page. NoteX exposes tools to agents through MCP. See AI integration.
B
Backlink
A reverse reference: every page that links TO the page you are reading. On NoteX web, the backlinks panel shows where a note is cited, which turns a pile of pages into a network.
Block
The atomic unit of a modern note: a paragraph, heading, to-do, table, or diagram that can be moved, styled, and converted as one thing. NoteX documents are made of blocks. See block editor.
Block editor
An editor built from blocks instead of one long text stream, popularized by Notion. Type / to insert, drag to rearrange, convert freely between types.
C
Callout
A visually emphasized block with an icon and background color, used for warnings, decisions, and anything that must not be skimmed past.
Context window
The amount of text (measured in tokens) an AI model can consider at once. Structured notes use far fewer tokens than PDFs, which is why format matters to AI teams. Try the AI context calculator.
Cover image
The banner image at the top of a note. NoteX supports covers with repositioning on both surfaces.
D
Database (in notes)
A collection of pages with typed properties, viewable as a table, board, calendar, timeline, or gallery. On NoteX web, any list can grow into one. See databases.
Deny-by-default
A security posture where nothing is allowed until explicitly approved. The NoteX extension system ships this way: only the curated allow-list installs. See extensions.
E
Extension
A package that adds capability to an app without changing its core, the model that made VS Code dominant. NoteX installs extensions from Open VSX through a curated catalog. See extensions.
F
Formula (database)
A computed property that derives its value from other properties, like days-until-deadline. NoteX web databases support formulas alongside relations and rollups.
Frontmatter / metadata
Structured data a file carries about itself: title, icon, cover, dates. In .notex files it travels inside the file, which is how per-note icons work. See file icons.
K
Kanban board
A columns-of-cards view of work in stages (Backlog, In progress, Done). One of the six database views on NoteX web.
KaTeX / LaTeX
The standard notation for mathematical writing, and the fast engine NoteX uses to render equation blocks.
L
Local-first
Software that keeps your data on your device and treats the network as optional. NoteX Desktop is local-first: notes are files, everything works offline, sync is opt-in. See files you own.
Lock-in
When leaving a product costs you your data or your structure. The antidote is open formats and full export, which is the NoteX position on principle.
M
Markdown
Plain text with a light convention for structure (#, -, **). The lingua franca of portable notes; NoteX edits .md natively and exports everything to it. Try the Markdown converter.
MCP (Model Context Protocol)
An open standard that lets AI assistants use tools: search this, read that, create a page. The NoteX MCP server gives any MCP client ten tools over your workspace. See API & MCP.
Mermaid
A text-to-diagram language: write a few lines, get a flowchart, sequence diagram, Gantt chart, or mind map. NoteX renders nine Mermaid diagram kinds as blocks.
Multi-cursor editing
Placing several cursors at once and typing in all of them, a beloved code-editor trick that NoteX brings to rich-text notes.
N
.notex format
NoteX's open file format: a JSON document holding metadata (title, icon, cover, dates) and block content. Small, greppable, git-friendly, and readable without NoteX. See files you own.
Notion-style API
A REST API that mirrors Notion's developer conventions (pages, blocks, rich text, cursors) so existing integrations and habits transfer. NoteX's public API works this way. See API & MCP.
O
Open VSX
The open, vendor-neutral marketplace for VS Code-compatible extensions, run by the Eclipse Foundation. NoteX installs extensions from it. See extensions.
P
Personal knowledge base / second brain
A deliberately maintained collection of everything you know and clip: notes, references, journals. The use case NoteX's local-first design serves best. See personal knowledge base.
Presence
Seeing who else is viewing or editing a page right now, shown as avatars and live cursors on NoteX web. See collaboration.
R
Relation (database)
A property that links rows across databases, like tasks to projects. Supported in NoteX web databases, with rollups aggregating across the link.
Rollup
A database property that summarizes related rows: count of open tasks, sum of hours, latest date. Works through relations on NoteX web.
RTL (right-to-left)
The writing direction of Arabic, Hebrew, Urdu, and Persian. NoteX sets direction per block automatically, so bilingual notes read naturally in both languages. See block editor.
S
Slash command
Typing / in a block editor to summon the insert menu. The full NoteX list lives on the cheat sheet.
Sync
Keeping notes identical across devices via a server. NoteX sync is incremental (unchanged notes never re-download) and the server is your choice. See workspaces & servers.
Synced block
A block whose content lives once and appears in many pages; edit it anywhere and every instance updates. Available on NoteX web.
T
Toggle
A collapsible block that hides detail behind a heading until clicked. The polite way to keep long notes skimmable.
Token
The unit AI models read text in, roughly three-quarters of a word. Token counts decide what fits a context window and what an API call costs.
Two-way sync
Sync where changes flow in both directions, like NoteX web's Notion link: pull their edits, push yours back, flag conflicts. See Notion import & sync.
V
Version history
Snapshots of a page over time with restore, available on NoteX web. The safety net under confident editing.
VS Code engine (Code - OSS)
The open-source core of Visual Studio Code: the fast, extensible desktop platform NoteX Desktop is built on. See desktop app.
W
Workspace
A shared container of notes with its own members and permissions. NoteX accounts can hold several, plus a Local workspace that never syncs. See workspaces & servers.
Wiki
A living, linked collection of team knowledge that anyone can improve. The classic team use case; see knowledge management.
Your notes deserve a better engine.
A Notion-style block editor on the engine behind the world's most popular code editor. Notes stay files you own, extensions add what you need, and AI plugs in natively. Free to start, on web and desktop.
Free to start · Your files, your disk · Windows desktop & web