Game design document
Every system, class and mechanic is a node. Typed connections such as "Combat depends_on Morale" show what affects what. A GDD template ships with the app.
Nodio
Your ideas as nodes. Connected with meaning. 100% local.
One canvas where notes, plans, boards, journal and an AI assistant live on the same nodes. Plan game systems, story and levels as a connected graph, stored in one file on your machine.
- Windows 10/11
- One local .db file
- No account
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Nodio in action
Made for game development
Narrative design
Characters, plot lines and turning points as nodes. The graph lens filters by character or location and reveals plot holes.
Level & world planning
Put maps on the canvas, pin locations and link each pin straight to its notes. Nest sub-canvases for regions and dungeons.
See the map up close
AI disclosure: Sample map and photo are AI-generated. App and canvas: real screenshots.
More use cases on nodio.dev (opens in new tab)Your graph in Cursor & Claude
Nodio runs a local MCP server. Your coding agent reads and writes your knowledge graph directly: here Cursor builds a complete project with groups, notes, connections and a Kanban board.
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What's inside
- Canvas
- Typed connections, nested groups and sub-canvases, graph lens, and a time-lapse of how your canvas grew, exportable as MP4.
- Editor
- WYSIWYG on Markdown storage, @-mentions with connection types, transclusion, block references, PDF notes with annotations.
- Kanban & timeline
- The same cards power your board: WIP limits, card aging, and a timeline with finish-to-start dependencies.
- Journal hub
- Daily to quarterly notes, mood tracking, word sprints and a year heatmap.
- Views
- Saved canvas snapshots as an auto-play slideshow. Present straight from the tool, export to PDF or PNG.
- AI & MCP
- AI assistant with local models via Ollama or cloud providers, offline Whisper dictation, and a local MCP server with 145 tools.
- Export & import
- PDF, PNG, compact TOON export for AI, a live Markdown mirror, ZIP bundles, and Obsidian vault import.
- Recycle bin & undo
- Deleted notes rest in the bin for 30 days. Even whole AI actions are undone with one Ctrl+Z.
A closer look
World Canvas 
Graph lens 
Editor split view 
Kanban board 
Journal heatmap 
Views slideshow
One file. Your machine. No cloud.
Your project is a single .db file on your disk. Nothing is uploaded by default, there is no account and no telemetry.
- Works fully offline. Back up or move a project by copying one file.
- No telemetry, no usage data, no training on your notes.
- The MCP server listens only on your own machine (127.0.0.1).
- Cloud AI, cloud voices and bug reports are optional and off until you turn them on.
- The update check contacts GitHub and sends your app version and IP address.
Full details: Nodio privacy policy on nodio.dev (opens in new tab)
Requirements & FAQ
Requirements
- Windows 10/11, 64-bit
- About 4 GB RAM
- GPU with Vulkan support
- macOS 12+ (Apple Silicon & Intel) and Linux: in progress
- MCP server · Cursor & Claude
- Code-signed
Is Nodio really free?
Yes. The core app is free during the beta. A Pro tier may later add optional extras like sync and collaboration, but the core you use today stays free.
Do I need an account?
No. Download, install, start.
Which platforms are supported?
Windows 10/11 today. A Linux build (AppImage) arrives with 0.7.0, macOS is on the way.
Can I import my Obsidian vault?
Yes, Markdown vaults can be imported directly.
Plan your next game in Nodio.
Free during the beta. Windows 10/11, no account needed.