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logseq-tutorial

README.md

layout default
title Logseq Knowledge Management
nav_order 40
has_children true
format_version v2

Logseq: Deep Dive Tutorial

Project: Logseq — A privacy-first, local-first knowledge management platform with block-based editing and graph visualization.

Stars License: AGPL v3 ClojureScript

Why This Track Matters

Logseq proves that a local-first, privacy-preserving knowledge system can be as powerful as cloud-based alternatives — all notes stay as plain Markdown files you own, with a rich graph visualization layer on top.

This track focuses on:

  • understanding block-based editing with bi-directional linking
  • working with Datascript and ClojureScript for local-first data management
  • building knowledge graph visualizations with D3.js
  • operating and extending Logseq with its JavaScript plugin API

What Is Logseq?

Logseq is a local-first, privacy-preserving knowledge management platform built with ClojureScript and Electron. It stores notes as plain Markdown/Org-mode files on your filesystem, provides block-based editing with bi-directional linking, and visualizes your knowledge as an interactive graph.

Feature Description
Local-First Files stored as plain Markdown on your filesystem
Block-Based Atomic content units with outliner-style editing
Bi-Directional Links Automatic backlinks and page references
Knowledge Graph Interactive D3.js visualization of note connections
Plugin System JavaScript plugin API with sandboxed execution
Git Sync Built-in Git-based synchronization across devices

Mental Model

graph TB
    subgraph Desktop["Electron App"]
        EDITOR[Block Editor]
        GRAPH[Graph View]
        SEARCH[Full-Text Search]
        PLUGINS[Plugin Runtime]
    end

    subgraph Core["ClojureScript Core"]
        REFRAME[Re-frame State]
        PARSER[Markdown/Org Parser]
        INDEX[Block Index]
    end

    subgraph Storage["Local Storage"]
        FS[File System / Markdown]
        GIT[Git Sync]
        DB[(Datascript)]
    end

    Desktop --> Core
    Core --> Storage
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Chapter Guide

Chapter Topic What You'll Learn
1. Knowledge Management Principles Philosophy Local-first paradigms, block-based thinking
2. System Architecture Architecture Desktop/runtime boundaries and data flow
3. Local-First Data Data Model Filesystem-first storage, indexing, and sync tradeoffs
4. Development Setup Setup ClojureScript + Electron development stack
5. Block Data Model Block Graph Block identity, hierarchy, and constraints
6. Block Editor Editing UX Command handling and structural edits
7. Bi-Directional Links Graph Edges Reference lifecycle and backlink generation
8. Graph Visualization Visualization Graph rendering and large-graph performance

Tech Stack

Component Technology
Language ClojureScript
UI Framework Reagent (React wrapper)
State Re-frame
Database Datascript (in-memory)
Desktop Electron
Graph Viz D3.js
File Format Markdown, Org-mode

Ready to begin? Start with Chapter 1: Knowledge Management Principles.

Built with insights from the Logseq repository and community documentation.

Related Tutorials

Navigation & Backlinks

Full Chapter Map

  1. Chapter 1: Knowledge Management Philosophy
  2. Chapter 2: System Architecture
  3. Chapter 3: Local-First Data
  4. Logseq Development Environment Setup
  5. Chapter 5: Block Data Model
  6. Chapter 6: Block Editor
  7. Chapter 7: Bi-Directional Links
  8. Chapter 8: Graph Visualization

Current Snapshot (auto-updated)

What You Will Learn

  • how Logseq stores notes as plain Markdown files with Datascript indexing for fast queries
  • how block identity, hierarchy, and bi-directional links are managed in the graph model
  • how ClojureScript and Re-frame power the local-first state management architecture
  • how the graph visualization renders large knowledge networks with D3.js

Source References

Generated by AI Codebase Knowledge Builder