GoKawiilEmacs user abandons Bear note app, returns notes to Emacs via Denote
A personal computing writer describes switching away from Emacs to the macOS/iOS note app Bear, citing fatigue with Emacs and Org mode, before reversing course and moving all notes back into Emacs using the Denote package, which supports Markdown files natively. The migration involved exporting Bear's Markdown notes and using a Claude Code-assisted script to convert file names, links, and attachments.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The account illustrates a recurring tension among power users between the flexibility of plain-text, file-based tools like Emacs and the polish of dedicated apps like Bear, suggesting that lock-in anxiety can outweigh convenience for some users. The author's mention of possibly building a sync bridge between Denote and Bear hints at ongoing experimentation rather than a settled workflow.
- The author migrated personal notes from Emacs to Bear, then back to Emacs again.
- Denote's native Markdown support made re-migrating from Bear's Markdown exports feasible.
- The conversion relied on a custom, AI-assisted script to handle file names, links, and attachments.
Apple Magic Keyboard — If you're spending your days bouncing between Emacs buffers and note-taking apps on macOS, a solid typing experience makes a real difference. The Magic Keyboard pairs seamlessly with Mac and iOS devices, which fits right into the Apple-centric workflow described in the article. It's a simple, reliable upgrade for anyone living at the keyboard all day, whether in Emacs or Bear.
See Apple Magic Keyboard on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: baty.net — Jack Baty, 2026-10-07
Published there as: “I tried to move my notes out of Emacs. I failed. Again”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.