Foam for note taking

As a dev I have VS Code open all day, so when recently I found out about Foam, I ended up moving my note taking there.

Foam is not an app like Notion. It’s a VS Code extension that turns a plain folder of markdown files into a connected notebook (including the thing people like to call a “knowledge graph” that shows all the files connected to each other).

Here’s why I am sticking with Foam after a few weeks of usage:

• The notes are just files: Standard markdown, in a folder on my computer. No proprietary format, no account, no cloud, which is nice.
• No app switching: I already use VS Code all day.
• Git: Since it’s just files, I version them with git and push to a private repo.
• Notes linking: You write [[some-note]] and Foam connects the two. Then it shows you the backlinks (which other file is pointing to this one) and a graph chart to view your links.
• Free and open source
• AI ready: Since it’s just markdown, it’s obviously great as a knowledge engine to work with LLMs, I use it to write down docs, analysis, and so on, and when I need help with some Foam feature, I ask the LLM.
• Lots of features (see the docs!)

Bottom line: Foam lives inside VS Code, so if you don’t already use it doesn’t make much sense. And there is no real mobile app, so If you want something that works across devices, this won’t work for you.

Interesting links

• Homepage https://foam.md/
• Git https://github.com/foambubble/foam
• Official docs https://docs.foam.md/
• Discord https://discord.com/invite/rtdZKgj