Linkano
Linkano helps you build durable links between everything you work on on macOS.
Capture files, web pages, mail, notes, PDF pages, and more from the menu bar — then connect, search, open, and copy stable linkano:// links that survive renames and moves.
Download free trial · Buy a license
macOS 14+ · 14-day trial · Local-first · Optional iCloud metadata sync
Why Linkano
- Menu bar, always nearby: Open the panel with ⌃⌘L, the context graph with ⌃⌘G, and preferences with ⌘, — keyboard-first workflows without leaving your apps.
- One-keystroke capture: Save what you are looking at in Finder, Safari (and Chromium browsers), Mail, Notes, Preview (including PDF pages), iWork, Microsoft Office, Calendar, Contacts, Obsidian, DEVONthink, CodeRunner, and more.
- Links that last: File links use bookmarks, size hints, and optional content fingerprints — not fragile paths alone. When matching is uncertain, you choose the correct file.
- Personal context graph: Bidirectional relations between saved items; explore with scopes (All, Context, Orphans, Weak, Suggested), filters, and dashed suggested edges you can accept.
- Stable Linkano URLs: Every item has
linkano://open/<uuid>— paste into notes, task managers, or terminals; Linkano resolves through your library. - Copy your way: Plain URL, Markdown, Linkano link, or Linkano Markdown — ⌘C uses your default from Settings → General (PDF titles include page numbers when set).
- Backlinks & relations: ⌘K to link two items; ⌘B for backlinks; remove relations without deleting items.
- File repair: Settings → Advanced → File Repair scans only folders you approve — never the whole disk silently.
- Backup & portability: Export/import your library as JSON (merge or replace). Optional iCloud sync for metadata across Macs — file contents are never uploaded.
- Privacy by design: No account, no ads, no in-app analytics. Your library stays in SQLite on your Mac unless you enable sync.
- Licensed fairly: 14-day trial on first launch; activate with a license key from your purchase in Settings → License.
Get started
- Download the trial and open the ZIP (signed app outside the Mac App Store).
- Grant macOS permissions when prompted (Automation for most integrations; Calendar, Contacts, or Accessibility where needed).
- Click the chain icon in the menu bar → Open Linkano (⌃⌘L).
- Work in a supported app, open Linkano, select the capture row, press Return.
- Link items with ⌘K, copy links with ⌘C, explore the graph with ⌃⌘G.
Hide Dock icon (default on) keeps Linkano menubar-only; enable Launch at login in Settings → General if you want it always available.
New in 1.5.0
- Keyboard-first panel with trackpad support: scroll to move selection, double-click to open, context menus, and full shortcut coverage.
- Context graph with floating toolbar, scope modes, type/app/tag filters, suggested relations, and relation navigation keys.
- Preview PDF pages in capture and open flows (Apple Events + Accessibility fallback).
- Microsoft Office capture for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
- Library export/import with merge/replace preview in Settings → Advanced.
- Optional iCloud sync for link metadata (off by default).
- 14-day trial and license activation in Settings → License (one-time online check; stays licensed until removed on this Mac).
- Sparkle updates when a release is published to the appcast.
The Linkano panel
Open with ⌃⌘L (customizable in Settings → Keyboard).
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Type | Search titles, URLs, notes, tags |
| ↑ / ↓ or scroll | Move selection |
| Return | Open / capture / finish linking |
| ⌘N | Add item manually |
| ⌘K | Link from selection |
| ⌘B | Backlinks |
| ⌘C | Copy (default format) |
| ⌘↩ | Action menu |
| ⌘⌫ | Delete link (with confirmation) |
| Esc | Close / cancel |
When the active app matches something in your library, the menu bar icon can show a green highlight.
Context graph
Open with ⌃⌘G.
| Scope | Shows |
|---|---|
| All | Full library (with filters) |
| Context | Neighborhood around active context |
| Orphans | Items with no relations |
| Weak | Only one relation |
| Suggested | Items with dashed suggestion edges |
Filter by link type, source app, or tag. Select a node to Open, Link, Remove relation, or Delete. Reload syncs iCloud (if enabled) and refreshes layout.
Opening & copying
- Web → default browser
- Files → Finder or default app (with move/rename reconciliation)
- PDF → Preview with page jump when
#page=Nis in the locator - Mail →
message://when possible - Notes, iWork, Office, Calendar, Obsidian, DEVONthink, CodeRunner → app-specific handlers
Copy formats (Settings → General): URL, Markdown, Linkano link, Linkano Markdown.
Example stable link:
linkano://open/<uuid>
Example PDF locator:
file:///Users/you/Documents/report.pdf#page=12
Settings overview
| Area | What you configure |
|---|---|
| General | Launch at login, Dock icon, default copy format, link-found sound |
| Keyboard | Global shortcuts for panel and graph |
| Sync | Optional iCloud metadata sync |
| Files | Approved search folders for repair |
| License | Trial status, license key, purchase links |
| Advanced | Export/import library, file repair, erase all data |
| About | Version, Start Here, privacy notice, terms, Contact Support |
Supported apps
Active context capture and reopen behaviour for Finder, Preview (PDF), Safari and Chromium browsers, Mail, Notes, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Calendar / Fantastical, Contacts, Obsidian, DEVONthink, and CodeRunner.
Full bundle IDs and capture details: SUPPORTED_APPS.md in this repository.
Manual
The User Manual covers every feature in depth: core concepts, capture, linking, graph keyboard shortcuts, sync, backup, file repair, license, and limitations.
License & trial
- Trial: 14 days from first launch — capture, add, and link work during the trial.
- After trial: Search and open keep working; capture, add, and link need a license key.
- Activation: Enter your key in Settings → License (one online check, then licensed on this Mac until you remove it).
- Purchase: Buy a license · Find your license key (same email as purchase).
Security & privacy
- Library stored locally under
~/Library/Application Support/Linkano/. - No Linkano account, advertising, or in-app analytics.
- Optional iCloud sync uses your private CloudKit database — metadata only, not file contents.
- License activation sends your key once to the developer’s validation service.
- macOS may request Automation, Calendar, Contacts, or Accessibility only when a feature needs them.
In the app: Settings → About → Privacy Notice… and Terms of Use…
Backup before risky changes
Always export from Settings → Advanced → Export Library… before:
- Replacing the local library via import
- Erasing all Linkano data
- Large sync or file-repair experiments
Imports support Merge (upsert by ID) or Replace Local Library (destructive).
Disclaimer
Linkano is provided as is by an independent developer. It is not a secure vault, legal archive, backup product, or guaranteed storage system. You are responsible for your data, backups, and compliance with third-party app terms and applicable law. See Settings → About → Terms of Use… in the app.