Question 1

How does sync work if there is no central cloud server?

Accepted Answer

Aethel stores your database directly on your machine. If you need multi-device access, simply set your workspace path to your preferred local folder sync (such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, or a home NAS). You retain complete authority over where your data travels.

Question 2

How is Aethel different from Obsidian?

Accepted Answer

Obsidian is a graph-centric markdown reader that relies on community plugins for task management, kanban views, and calendars. Those plugins frequently conflict, lack unified UI, and break during major updates. Aethel integrates notes, tasks, visual tables, and project schedules into a single cohesive interface out of the box—with native desktop performance and no plugin maintenance.

Question 3

How is Aethel different from Notion?

Accepted Answer

Notion is a collaborative, cloud-hosted workspace that runs inside a web wrapper. It requires constant network access, averages 5–7 seconds to load complex databases, lacks zero-knowledge encryption, and encourages endless template tinkering. Aethel is an offline, native desktop app built for individual execution—instant launch times, zero interface lag, and total privacy.

Question 4

Will I be locked into a proprietary format?

Accepted Answer

No. Your primary workspace is housed inside an encrypted local SQLite database for speed, but Aethel includes an opt-in Markdown Mirroring feature that continuously outputs human-readable .md files alongside your work, as well as a full one-click JSON/Markdown data export.

Question 5

How does local AI run without an internet connection?

Accepted Answer

Aethel can interface with small, optimized open-weight language models (like Google Gemma) running directly on your CPU/GPU. Processing occurs entirely on your hardware; no prompts, embeddings, or files ever touch an external network.

Question 6

Can I run Aethel on an older or low-spec laptop?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because Aethel is built with Rust and Svelte rather than Chromium/Electron, it operates with minimal CPU overhead and around 190MB of idle memory, preserving battery life and device thermals.

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