Introduction & Overview
Learn what LaterBox is, the local-first philosophy, and how it differs from traditional bookmarks.
What is LaterBox?#
LaterBox is an open-source, local-first personal knowledge vault and universal save-for-later companion. It replaces cluttered browser tabs, forgotten reading lists, and siloed bookmark bars with a blazing-fast, unified system that works seamlessly across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and all major web browsers.
Traditional bookmark managers store links on remote servers or obscure browser menus where saved items are quickly forgotten. LaterBox treats every captured link as an enriched, offline-available knowledge artifact with automatic metadata extraction, distraction-free reading mode, and native ad-free media playback.
The Local-First Philosophy#
LaterBox is architected from the ground up around Local-First Software principles:
- Sub-10ms Responsiveness: All reads and writes hit an embedded local SQLite database (powered by Drift ORM) immediately. No waiting on network roundtrips or spinning loaders.
- 100% Offline Resilience: You can search, browse, tag, read cached articles, and capture new links on an airplane or subway without an internet connection.
- Seamless Cloud Replication: When connectivity is available, changes automatically synchronize bidirectionally to Supabase PostgreSQL with real-time updates and Row-Level Security.
- Data Ownership & Sovereignty: Your data stays on your device. You can export your entire vault to JSON or Markdown at any time with a single click.
Core Capabilities#
- ⚡ Universal Quick Capture: System-wide global hotkeys (
⌥ Spaceon Mac,Ctrl+Alt+Spaceon Windows,Alt+Spaceon Linux), mobile share sheets, and 1-click browser extension popups. - 🎬 Distraction-Free Media: Watch YouTube videos and listen to audio without ads, algorithms, or tracking directly inside your vault.
- 📖 Clean Reader Mode: Read long-form articles with customizable typography, dark/light themes, and private markdown annotations.
- 🏷️ Deep Search & Collections: Instant full-text search across titles, URLs, summaries, and personal notes with custom visual collections.
- 🛡️ Zero Telemetry & Privacy: No tracking pixels, no third-party ad SDKs, and transparent PolyForm Noncommercial licensing.
Supported Ecosystem Matrix#
| Platform | Target Artifacts | Capabilities | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| macOS | Universal .dmg, .pkg | Spotlight Quick Capture (⌥ Space), System Tray, Native File Picker | Production Ready |
| Windows | Inno Setup .exe, Portable Zip | Hotkey (Ctrl+Alt+Space), Tray Minimization, Toast Alerts | Production Ready |
| Linux | AppImage, Tarball | Hotkey (Alt+Space), SQLite FTS5 Local Storage | Production Ready |
| iOS | TestFlight Beta / IPA | Native iOS Share Sheet Extension, Biometrics | Beta |
| Android | Google Play Beta / APK | Android Share Intent Target, Offline Cache | Beta |
| Web | Next.js 16 (Turbopack) | Instant Guest Sandbox, Cloud Sync, Reader Mode | Production Ready |
| Browser Extension | Chrome, Firefox, Safari (MV3) | 1-Click Tab Saver, Token Handshake, Sidepanel | Production Ready |
Next Steps#
- Review the Prerequisites & Tooling before setting up your local environment.
- Configure your Environment Variables for Next.js, Supabase, and Flutter.
- Follow the Quick Start Guide to run LaterBox locally in under 5 minutes.