Kavya

Kavya is a local-first writing application designed for users who prefer working in Markdown. md files within a standard folder structure, ensuring that content remains portable and free from proprietary lock-in. The app caters to a diverse range of users, including writers, bloggers, students, developers, knowledge workers, and journal keepers, each benefiting from features tailored to their workflows.

Writers and authors can organize chapters, scenes, and drafts in nested groups, set word count goals, and export manuscripts to PDF or DOCX formats. Bloggers and creators have access to instant Markdown previews, HTML export, and a Schedule Board for planning content calendars. Students and researchers can drop PDFs and EPUBs into their vault, take notes alongside sources, and use wikilinks to connect ideas. Developers benefit from YAML frontmatter, compatibility with git, and the use of plain files. Knowledge workers can capture meeting notes and project briefs, with AI chat available to assist in drafting, summarizing, and brainstorming. Journal keepers can maintain daily notes with privacy, as all data remains on the user's disk.

Kavya features a three-panel layout with the library, sheets, and editor, aiming for a zero learning curve. The Markdown editor is built on CodeMirror 6 and includes syntax highlighting, smart typography, list continuation, and smart HTML paste. Users can focus with modes such as Focus, Typewriter, and Zen, or use split view to edit or preview two sheets side by side. Tags and keywords are managed through YAML frontmatter, allowing for filtering across the vault. The app supports dark and light themes, quick navigation, and an outline panel for easy section management. AI chat integrates with multiple models, including Claude, OpenAI, Gemini, and Claude Code CLI, offering document-aware suggestions and streaming responses.

The Schedule Board provides kanban columns and calendar views for planning, with the ability to share to Apple Notes or iCloud. Reference files such as PDFs, EPUBs, and images can be added to any group, and the EPUB reader includes page navigation. Export options include Markdown, HTML, PDF, and DOCX, with formatting for headings, lists, and code blocks. Kavya is available as a Mac app with a keyboard-first design, quick switcher, command palette, and autocomplete wikilinks. The pricing model includes a free Starter version supporting up to 100 sheets and a paid Full Version with unlimited sheets for a one-time purchase of $19, with all features included in both versions and no subscription required.