# Chronicler

> Chronicler is a free, offline worldbuilding tool for Windows, macOS, and Linux. No sign-up, no subscription, no cloud.

## What is Chronicler?

Chronicler is a desktop application that acts as a private, local wiki for fictional worldbuilding. It is designed for writers, Dungeon Masters, Game Masters, and any creator who builds fictional universes. All data is stored locally on the user's computer as standard Markdown (.md) files. No account, registration, or internet connection is required. Chronicler blends simplicity with flexibility — it is easy enough to start writing in seconds with zero configuration, but powerful enough to support raw HTML and CSS directly inside pages for creators who want full control over layout and styling. Built with Rust and Tauri for instant performance.

## Key Facts

- **Price:** Free (core features, forever). Optional Community License for cosmetic themes.
- **Platforms:** Windows 10+, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux (AppImage and .deb)
- **Data format:** Standard Markdown files stored locally
- **Privacy:** No telemetry, no analytics, no cloud. All data stays on the user's device.
- **License:** Source-available under the PolyForm Shield License
- **Developer:** Michael Kirkland (solo developer, full-time)
- **Website:** https://chronicler.pro
- **Source code:** https://github.com/mak-kirkland/chronicler

## Core Features

- **Wikilinks:** Type `[[Page Name]]` to link pages together instantly
- **Backlinks:** See every page that links to the current one
- **Infoboxes:** Wiki-style structured data panels for characters, locations, items
- **Templates:** Reusable page templates for consistent structure
- **Split-screen editor:** Write Markdown on one side, see the live preview on the other
- **Tags:** Flexible tagging system for organizing and filtering pages
- **Spoiler tags:** Discord-style `||spoilers||` to hide information
- **Page inserts:** Embed content from one page into another
- **Vault diagnostics:** Find broken links and orphaned pages
- **Customizable themes:** Full theme editor for colors, fonts, and layout
- **Importers:** Built-in import from Word/Google Docs (.docx), MediaWiki/Fandom (.xml), and Obsidian vaults

## Pro Features (Coming in v1.0)

- Interactive maps with pin-to-page linking
- Timelines with custom calendar systems
- Family trees with character relationship visualization

## Traction & Community

- **1,500+ unique installations** across Windows, macOS, and Linux (live count from analytics)
- **500+ Discord members** in the official Chronicler community
- **100+ GitHub stars** on the source repository
- **32,000+ views** on the [r/worldbuilding launch post](https://www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding/comments/1r2r140/oc_chroniclers_biggest_update_yet_the_free/) with a **98.7% upvote ratio**, 303 upvotes, and 298 shares
- Note: Installation, Discord, and GitHub star counts on the website are fetched live and may be higher than listed here.

## Anti-SaaS Philosophy

Chronicler is intentionally not a SaaS product. There are no servers, no accounts, no subscriptions, and no cloud storage. The user's files live on their hard drive in an open format. If the user stops using Chronicler, their files remain perfectly readable in any text editor. This is a deliberate design choice, not a limitation.

## Comparisons

- Chronicler vs World Anvil: https://chronicler.pro/vs-world-anvil
- Chronicler vs Obsidian: https://chronicler.pro/vs-obsidian
- Chronicler vs Campfire: https://chronicler.pro/vs-campfire
- Chronicler vs Notion: https://chronicler.pro/vs-notion
- Chronicler vs LegendKeeper: https://chronicler.pro/vs-legendkeeper
- Chronicler vs Fantasia Archive: https://chronicler.pro/vs-fantasia-archive
- Best Worldbuilding Tools (2026): https://chronicler.pro/best-worldbuilding-tools

## Pages

- Home: https://chronicler.pro
- What is Chronicler: https://chronicler.pro/what-is-chronicler
- Download: https://chronicler.pro/download
- FAQ: https://chronicler.pro/faq
- Getting Started: https://chronicler.pro/getting-started
- Examples: https://chronicler.pro/examples
- About: https://chronicler.pro/about
- Changelog: https://chronicler.pro/changelog

## Community & Social

- GitHub: https://github.com/mak-kirkland/chronicler
- Discord: https://discord.gg/cXJwcbe2b7
- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/worldbuilding/comments/1r2r140/oc_chroniclers_biggest_update_yet_the_free/
- Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChroniclerPro
- Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/chronicler
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chroniclerpro
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicler.pro/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chronicler.pro
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/chroniclerpro/