Notivae

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Design Decisions ​

Notivae’s architecture and feature set are driven by clear design principles focused on user control, privacy, collaboration, and extensibility. This page outlines the key decisions behind the project’s foundation.

1. Self-Hosted First ​

  • Users retain full control over their data by running Notivae on their own infrastructure.
  • No reliance on third-party services or proprietary cloud platforms.
  • Ensures privacy, security, and compliance with personal or organizational policies.

2. Markdown-Native ​

  • Markdown is the universal format for writing and note-taking.
  • Enables compatibility with many tools and simple import/export workflows.
  • Avoids vendor lock-in by storing plain-text documents with semantic structure.

3. Real-Time Collaboration with CRDTs ​

  • Uses Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs) to enable seamless multi-user editing.
  • Guarantees zero merge conflicts and automatic offline sync.
  • Yjs is chosen as the CRDT library for its performance and community support.

4. Offline-First Approach ​

  • Users can read and edit documents without an internet connection.
  • Local changes sync automatically once connectivity is restored.
  • Provides resilience against unstable networks and improves usability on mobile devices.

5. Hierarchical Structure ​

  • Documents can be nested within collections and other documents.
  • Mirrors natural knowledge organization: folders, subfolders, and pages.
  • Enables granular access control and easier navigation in large knowledge bases.

6. Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) ​

  • Moves beyond rigid role-based permissions.
  • Access is evaluated dynamically based on user attributes, document metadata, and context.
  • Offers fine-grained control suitable for complex sharing and collaboration scenarios.

7. Simple Deployment ​

  • Uses Docker and Docker Compose for straightforward setup.
  • Prebuilt images simplify installation for both developers and end-users.
  • Designed for easy upgrades and maintenance.

These decisions collectively shape Notivae into a privacy-respecting, user-centric, and robust platform for collaborative knowledge management.