Chronicler : The free offline worldbuilding tool for writers and GMs.
- ✨ Built with and for the worldbuilding community
- 🎨 No AI art
- Windows, macOS & Linux
Chronicler is a free, offline worldbuilding tool for writers, novelists, and tabletop RPG game masters on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It works as a private worldbuilding wiki: every character, place, and faction gets its own linked page, saved on your computer as plain Markdown files. Learn more about how Chronicler works.
- ✓ No subscription, ever
- ✓ Works offline, no account
- ✓ Import from Word, Obsidian & Fandom
Your world belongs to you.
17,170+
Unique Installations
4,430+
Discord Members
730+
GitHub Stars
98.7%
Reddit Upvote Ratio
A note from the developer
"Hi, I'm Michael. I'm a solo developer and a DM who was tired of messy folders and expensive subscriptions. I built Chronicler because I wanted a tool that respected my privacy and my creativity. I hope it serves your world as well as it has mine :)"
Read the full story →
Our official mascot
Meet the Librarian
"Did you know you can import your Google Docs or Fandom wiki directly into Chronicler?"
Why Creators Are Switching
Comparing options? See our guide to the best worldbuilding tools and apps in 2026, or learn how to make a worldbuilding wiki.
Stop Renting Access.
Your world shouldn't be held hostage by a subscription. Chronicler gives you 100% offline ownership of your files forever.
Compare features →Vs. ObsidianSkip the Setup.
Don't spend hours configuring plugins. Chronicler comes pre-built with native Infoboxes, image carousels, and worldbuilding tools out of the box.
Compare features →Vs. NotionDatabases aren't Lore.
Stop fighting with table views. Build an interconnected wiki that feels like a real book, not a spreadsheet.
Compare features →Powerful Core Features, Free Forever
🔒 Offline-First & Private
Your work is yours, forever. Chronicler saves all files locally in plain text Markdown format. You always have full control over your data.
🌐 Cross-Platform
Enjoy a fast, native experience on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Your world is always with you, no matter your operating system.
🔗 Powerful Linking
Connect your pages with [[wikilinks]]. Links are created automatically as you type, building a web of lore you can actually navigate.
📇 Infoboxes
Standardize your notes with wiki-style infoboxes. Define custom fields to keep your lore consistent and easy to read.
🖥️ Live Split-Screen Editor
See your formatted text as you type. The split view shows a live preview of your page, so you can focus on writing, not formatting.
🏷️ Tag Your World
Organize your thoughts with a flexible tagging system. Add tags to categorize your pages and find all related notes with a single click.
🎨 Customizable Themes
Make Chronicler your own. Personalize everything from colors to custom fonts, creating a unique look with the powerful theme editor.
🤫 Spoilers & Secrets
Hide information within your notes using Discord-style ||spoilers||. Keep secrets from other users until the right moment!
🗺️ Discover Backlinks
See what links where. The backlinks panel shows you every page that links to your current note, so you never lose track of connections.
🧩 Page Inserts
Embed the content of one page directly into another. Keep your notes consistent by inserting reusable details (navboxes, item cards, stat blocks etc.) wherever they're needed.
📄 Templates
Create reusable templates for characters, locations, items etc. New pages are pre-filled, ensuring consistency and saving you time.
📈 Vault Diagnostics
Keep your world healthy. View auto-generated reports to find broken links and other issues, with interactive tools to help you quickly fix them.
Community Voices
From r/worldbuilding and the Discord community
This is quite literally encompassing everything I've ever wanted... nothing comes close to the simplicity and scope... I mean what more is there to say!
A lore keeping software that I’ve been looking for for YEARS!! Very excited to see where it goes.
With every update you're transforming this program into something that just... does what I ask it to. I absolutely love it!
Oh my god, you're doing regions with layers? You're telling me I'll get to ditch the horrendously unusable paintdotnet edit of my world map? I already use your software, you didn't have to sell me on it all over again...
I LOVE this program to tiny little bits!! It's the best worldbuilding program that scratches my itch for an offline wiki!!
I've been using Chronicler for three months, and it's amazing. I tried Obsidian, but Chronicler is what I was looking for to do my worldbuilding. To me it's the perfect mix between simplicity and deep features.
Support the Mission
I am working on Chronicler full-time to build the best offline worldbuilding tool possible.
Because I don't charge subscriptions, track your data, or run ads, community donations are vital. They keep the lights on and ensure Chronicler remains free and open for everyone.
Become a Patron
Join one of our tiers (Scribe, Archivist, Loremaster) for monthly perks! You can vote on new features, get priority support, and unlock the Fantasy Atmosphere Pack - a cosmetic overhaul that gives your vault a legendary look.
✓ Includes a Community License
Join on PatreonCommunity License
For half the price of a TTRPG sourcebook, show your support and keep the lights on. This is a donation - it does not unlock "Pro" features.
Already a patron? You already have this.
One-Time Donation
If you prefer a simple, one-time donation of any amount, you can buy me a coffee (or a few!).
Buy Me a Coffee🏆 Community Champions
A huge thank you to the generous patrons supporting Chronicler!
Chronicler Pro (v1.0)
Chronicler Pro follows the Fair Software model. A one-time payment grants you a permanent license for Version 1.x. You get every 1.x update for free, and you keep access to these features forever.
Future major versions (e.g., v2.0) may introduce new paid upgrades, but your v1 license will never be revoked or downgraded.
Included in v1
🗺️ Interactive Maps
Drop pins on your world maps and link them directly to your location pages.
⏳ Timelines
Add dates to your pages, define custom non-Gregorian calendars, and visualize the history of your world.
🌳 Family Trees
Connect characters and visualize their relationships with dynamic family trees.
Roadmap
🎵 Audio Embedding
Add sound to your world. Embed ambient music or voice notes directly into pages.
🔍 Deep Search
Advanced querying to find every mention of a character or concept across your entire vault instantly.
🪄 Advanced Database
Turn your vault into a living database. Create dynamic tables that automatically pull data from your notes.
Ready to Start Building?
Download Chronicler for free on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Go to Downloads Page