Two 100% free native apps for macOS and iOS engineered with surgical minimalism and artisanal craftsmanship. No ads, no subscriptions, no documents to create or save: 36 always-ready notes, rich text, interactive checklists, and conflict-safe iCloud sync.
GekoNotes does not aim to be another bloated workspace or complex wiki. It is an instantaneous capture scratchpad — always open, always visible, ready to jot down a thought without friction.
Three independent workspaces (Banks A, B, C) with 12 slots each. No file naming, no folder trees: open the app and start writing immediately.
Press ⌃⌥G on Mac from any application (via native Carbon API, requiring no accessibility privileges). On iOS, capture via Share Sheet or Siri in one tap.
No backend databases, no account registrations, and zero analytics. Your notes travel strictly between your devices through your personal, encrypted Apple iCloud.
Bold, Italic, Underline, Bullet (•), Numbered (1.), Lettered (a.) lists, and interactive checkboxes (☐/☑) with automatic strikethrough on tap.
3 appearance themes (Dark Obsidian, Light Porcelain, System), 5 neon accent colors (Orange, Pea Green, Cobalt Blue, Crimson Red, Emerald), and 181 SF Symbols.
Your data belongs solely to you. Export or import your entire 36-note database in an open, portable .json file at any time with a single click.
A lightweight, lightning-fast Menu Bar app living quietly in your macOS status bar. Click the menu bar icon or press ⌃⌥G to drop down the scratchpad window instantly anchored beneath the icon — zero Dock clutter, zero friction.
NSWindowLevel.floating to detach and keep your notes visible above full-screen apps and video calls.NSVisualEffectView that beautifully blurs your desktop wallpaper.Built exclusively for iPhone with SwiftUI and UIKit: uncompromising speed, tactile feedback, and deep iOS system integration.
GekoNotes keeps your notes perfectly in sync across all your devices using your personal Apple iCloud, ensuring complete privacy with no intermediate servers.
Write on Mac, pick up instantly on iPhone. Changes sync quietly in the background without duplicate notes or conflicts.
Your notes belong only to you. No accounts to create, no third-party tracking, and zero proprietary servers.
Complete reference document covering internal data schema, iCloud sync lifecycle, and keyboard shortcuts.
Everything you need to know about sync, offline usage, privacy, and customization in GekoNotes.
GekoNotes utilizes Apple's native iCloud Key-Value Store (NSUbiquitousKeyValueStore). All 36 notes are synchronized automatically in near real-time across your devices. Sync occurs automatically when connected to the internet, on app switching, and via a 2-second background heartbeat when the app is active. No separate account or configuration is required beyond having iCloud enabled on your Apple device.
GekoNotes provides 36 notes in total: 3 independent banks (A, B, C) × 12 note slots per bank. Each note can contain arbitrary lengths of rich text and is always instantly ready without creating or opening files.
No. GekoNotes leverages macOS's native Carbon API (RegisterEventHotKey), which operates globally without requiring intrusive Accessibility or screen-recording permissions in macOS System Settings.
Yes, absolutely. iCloud sync is optional and can be toggled off at any time in Settings > iCloud Sync & Security. In offline mode, all notes remain securely stored in local storage, and the local JSON export/import remains available.
You have three immediate options:
1. Share Sheet: Highlight any text in any app, tap Share, and choose GekoNotes to select your bank.
2. Siri: Say "Save to GekoNotes" after copying text to your clipboard.
3. Shortcuts: Integrate the native "Save to GekoNotes" action into your iOS automation workflows.
In Settings, you will find Export JSON and Import JSON buttons. Exporting generates a portable .json file containing all 36 notes, titles, texts, and custom SF Symbol icon assignments. You can store this backup on iCloud Drive, an external drive, or transfer it via AirDrop.