# Cortex Docs

A fast, open-source Markdown workspace for writing, organizing, syncing, and extending the knowledge you own. Cortex is local-first, open source, and stores knowledge in plain Markdown files.

Full docs corpus: https://cortex-md.tech/docs/llms.txt

## Documentation

- [Welcome](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/get-started/welcome): Start with the Cortex model: local Markdown, a native workspace, optional encrypted sync, and extension points that keep files portable.
- [Quickstart](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/get-started/quickstart): Open a local Markdown folder and move through the core Cortex workflow without importing or converting notes.
- [Local Markdown](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/workspace/local-markdown): Cortex keeps Markdown files on disk as the source of truth, so notes stay readable with or without the app.
- [Organizing Notes](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/workspace/organizing): Use folders, tags, bookmarks, and properties together while keeping the workspace readable as files.
- [Sync Overview](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/sync/overview): Cortex Sync is optional and built around client-side encryption with encrypted blob storage.
- [Community Plugins](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/overview): Build reviewed, vault-scoped Cortex plugins with the public API while keeping notes portable.
- [Getting Started With Plugins](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/getting-started): Create a small command plugin, build it, and load it from a local Cortex vault.
- [Manifest and Capabilities](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/manifest-and-capabilities): Define plugin identity, bundle paths, and explicit capabilities for reviewed extension behavior.
- [Lifecycle and Bundling](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/lifecycle-and-bundling): Export a Cortex plugin class, bundle safely, and clean up registrations when the plugin unloads.
- [Commands and Hotkeys](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/commands-and-hotkeys): Register command palette actions, default hotkeys, and Vim command names through the host registry.
- [Vault, Editor, and Workspace APIs](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/vault-editor-workspace): Use vault files, the active editor, fold providers, and workspace tabs from a plugin.
- [Markdown and Properties](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/markdown-and-properties): Extend Markdown rendering, callouts, plugin-scoped styles, and note property types.
- [Views, Settings, and UI](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/views-settings-and-ui): Build portable host-rendered plugin views, settings, sidebar items, status items, and menus.
- [Storage, Bookmarks, and Notifications](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/storage-bookmarks-notifications): Store plugin-owned data and integrate with bookmarks, metadata, theme reads, notices, and notifications.
- [Publishing and Review](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/publishing-and-review): Prepare plugin release assets for review and community listing without promising an unreviewed install path.
- [Example: GitHub Emoji Plugin](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/plugins/github-emoji-example): Study a practical plugin that registers Markdown inline replacements, commands, settings, and a portable view.
- [Community Themes](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/overview): Build vault-scoped Cortex themes with paired light and dark CSS files.
- [Getting Started With Themes](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/getting-started): Create a minimal Cortex theme with a manifest, light.css, dark.css, and vault install location.
- [Theme Manifest](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/manifest): Define a community theme family, display metadata, and safe light and dark stylesheet paths.
- [CSS Variables](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/css-variables): Customize Cortex surfaces through documented semantic and component CSS variables.
- [Stable Hooks and Selectors](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/stable-hooks-and-selectors): Use documented body classes and data hooks when theme variables are not enough.
- [Markdown and Callouts](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/markdown-and-callouts): Style Cortex Markdown surfaces, code blocks, headings, and callout colors through theme CSS.
- [Light, Dark, and System Modes](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/light-dark-and-system): Pair community theme CSS files with Cortex appearance settings and effective color scheme.
- [Publishing and Review](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/publishing-and-review): Prepare theme release assets for review and community listing.
- [Theme Best Practices](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/themes/best-practices): Keep community themes native-feeling, readable, performant, and respectful of user overrides.
- [Cortex CLI](https://cortex-md.tech/docs/developers/cli): Use the CLI for local plugin and theme development against a real Cortex vault.