Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
At its core, contributing to the Agora only requires two things: the ability to produce text in a supported format, and a way to make that text publicly available. Plain text files in a public git repository are enough. That said, purpose-built editors for digital gardens make wikilinks, daily notes, and graph views much easier to work with, and several are well-suited for Agora use.
In essence, all you really need to use the Agora is the capability to produce text in some format and make it publicly available somewhere. Plain text would suffice.
Whatever editor you choose, your workflow will follow the same pattern:
Write notes in Markdown (or another supported format) using [[wikilinks]] to connect ideas.
Commit and push your notes to a public git repository.
The Agora pulls from that repository and renders your notes as nodes in the graph.
Foam is an open-source VSCode extension that turns your editor into a personal knowledge management system. It is the most flexible option because VSCode itself is highly extensible.Pros:
Fully open source
Runs locally — your notes never leave your machine unless you push them
Integrates directly with git via VSCode’s built-in source control panel
Supports daily notes (Alt+D), wikilink navigation, and graph visualisation
Open VSCode and select Clone Repository. Sign in with GitHub and select your forked Foam template. VSCode will offer to install recommended extensions — accept the prompt.
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Configure git identity
Open the integrated terminal (Ctrl+`) and set your name and email if you haven’t already:
Press Alt+D to open today’s daily note. Use [[wikilinks]] to link between notes. When ready to publish, use the source control panel (the branch icon in the left sidebar) to commit and push.
Logseq is an open-source outliner and knowledge base that works in the browser and as a desktop app. It is easier to set up than Foam and can create a git repository for you automatically.Pros:
Open source
Browser-based with no local installation required (desktop app also available)
Can initialise and manage its own git repository
Supports both Markdown and Org-mode
Cons:
The full browser-based experience works best in Chrome or Chromium-based browsers
Can become slow with very large note collections (around 5 000+ notes)
Logseq can create a new repository on GitHub for you. Follow the in-app prompts to authenticate with GitHub and initialise a new graph.
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Choose Markdown as your format
In the settings, set the preferred file format to Markdown so your notes are compatible with the default Agora format.
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Write and sync
Use Logseq’s daily journal and page features to write notes. Logseq handles git commits and pushes in the background.
Obsidian is a closed-source but privacy-respecting local Markdown editor with a large community plugin ecosystem. It is widely considered the most polished of the three recommended options.Pros:
Fast and polished with an excellent community plugin marketplace
Works entirely with local files — no account required for core features
The Obsidian Git community plugin handles git commits and pushes
Active community and frequent updates
Cons:
Closed source (though plugins are open source)
Cloud sync requires a paid Obsidian subscription or a third-party solution
In the Obsidian Git plugin settings, enable automatic commits on a schedule so your notes are pushed to GitHub regularly without manual intervention.
Several other tools work well with the Agora.DendronA VSCode extension similar to Foam, designed for hierarchical note-taking. It is a drop-in replacement for Foam within VSCode and follows the same setup process.Roam ResearchA web-based outliner. Use the roam2agora tool to export your Roam graph into a format the Agora can ingest. Reach out to signup@anagora.org for current setup guidance.Org-modeEmacs Org-mode files are supported by the Agora. If your notes live in .org files in a public git repository, the Agora can pull and render them. Contact the maintainers for details.Plain textAny plain text files in a public git repository will work. The Agora is designed to be maximally inclusive — the simpler the format, the fewer dependencies you have.
Open source, VSCode-based, locally hosted. Best for developers comfortable with git.
Logseq
Open source, browser or desktop, easiest git setup. Best for users who want a managed workflow.
Obsidian
Closed source, fast, polished, large plugin ecosystem. Best for users who prioritise UX and community extensions.
If you are unsure which to choose, start with Logseq — it requires the least configuration and can manage git for you. You can always migrate your Markdown files to a different editor later since all three use the same file format.