Heynote — Dedicated Developer Scratchpad with Language Blocks

Introduction

Heynote is a purpose-built scratchpad application for developers. Unlike general-purpose text editors, it provides a single persistent buffer divided into language blocks — each with its own syntax highlighting. It is designed for the quick notes, code snippets, and calculations that developers constantly need during their workflow.

What Heynote Does

• Provides a persistent scratchpad that saves automatically without file management
• Supports multiple language blocks within a single buffer (JavaScript, Python, SQL, etc.)
• Offers syntax highlighting powered by CodeMirror for 100+ languages
• Includes a built-in math/calculator block for quick computations
• Launches instantly via a global keyboard shortcut

Architecture Overview

Heynote is an Electron-based desktop app using CodeMirror 6 as its editor engine. The buffer is a single document divided by block separators, each tagged with a language identifier. Content is auto-saved to a local file on every keystroke. The app registers a system-wide hotkey for instant access and supports multiple themes.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Install the platform-specific package (no account or cloud needed)
• Content is stored in a local file (configurable location)
• Set a global hotkey to toggle the window from any application
• Choose between light and dark themes or auto-detect system preference
• Configure default language for new blocks

Key Features

• Language blocks: divide your buffer into sections, each with its own syntax mode
• Auto-save: content persists across restarts without manual save
• Math block: evaluate expressions inline using a built-in calculator engine
• Global hotkey: one shortcut to show/hide from anywhere on your desktop
• Minimal and focused: no file trees, tabs, or project management — just text

Comparison with Similar Tools

• VS Code scratch files — requires creating files; Heynote is always one buffer
• Apple Notes / Notion — general note apps; Heynote is code-first with syntax blocks
• Obsidian — knowledge management; Heynote is a quick-access scratchpad only
• ScratchPad (browser) — web-only; Heynote is a native desktop app with hotkey access
• Quill / Typora — rich text; Heynote uses plain text with syntax highlighting

FAQ

Q: Where is my data stored? A: Content is saved to a local file on disk. The path is configurable in settings. No cloud sync is involved.

Q: Can I have multiple scratchpads? A: The primary design is one buffer with language blocks, but you can configure multiple buffer files.

Q: Does it support Vim keybindings? A: Yes, Vim and Emacs keybinding modes are available in settings.

Q: Is there a web or mobile version? A: A web version is available at heynote.com for browser-based access, alongside the desktop apps.

Sources

• https://github.com/heyman/heynote
• https://heynote.com