Caret VS DevNotes

• Lightweight
  Caret is a lightweight text editor that focuses on performance and speed, avoiding unnecessary bloat and allowing for a quick startup time.
• Markdown Support
  Caret offers excellent support for Markdown, making it ideal for users who frequently write in Markdown syntax.
• Simplicity
  Its simple and clean user interface focuses on writing without distractions, which is great for users who need a minimalist environment.
• Cross-Platform
  Caret is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring maximum accessibility for users on different operating systems.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited Features
  While Caret is excellent for Markdown, it lacks some advanced features found in other text editors, which might be necessary for more complex editing tasks.
• No Plugin System
  Caret does not support plugins or extensions, limiting its customizability and ability to expand functionality.
• Markdown Focus
  Caret's strong focus on Markdown might not be suitable for users who need a more versatile text editor for different types of coding or writing tasks.
• Paid Software
  Caret is not free; it requires a one-time purchase, which might be a consideration for users who prefer free alternatives.

• Simple CLI Tool
  DevNotes is a straightforward command-line tool for managing developer notes, making it easy to quickly jot down and retrieve notes without leaving the terminal.
• Homebrew Installation
  The project is distributed as a Homebrew tap, making installation on macOS (and Linux with Homebrew) simple with just a couple of brew commands.
• Lightweight
  As a minimal CLI note-taking tool, it has very few dependencies and doesn't require heavy resources or complex setup, keeping it fast and unobtrusive.
• Developer-Focused Workflow
  Designed specifically for developers, it fits naturally into a terminal-based workflow, allowing quick capture of thoughts, TODOs, or code-related notes without context switching.
• Open Source
  The project is open source on GitHub, allowing users to inspect the code, contribute improvements, and customize it to their own needs.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited Documentation
  The repository has minimal documentation, which can make it difficult for new users to understand all available features, commands, and configuration options.
• Small Community
  The project appears to have a very small user base and limited community support, meaning fewer resources for troubleshooting and slower development progress.
• Limited Features
  Compared to more established note-taking tools, DevNotes offers a basic feature set and lacks advanced capabilities like search, tagging, syncing, or rich formatting.
• macOS/Homebrew Dependency
  Distribution primarily through Homebrew limits accessibility for users on systems where Homebrew is not available or commonly used, such as Windows.
• Early Stage / Low Maturity
  The project appears to be in an early stage of development with limited commit history and contributions, which may raise concerns about long-term maintenance and stability.

Caret's Oxford Review (First Impressions)

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• End-of-life and the June 2022 update

  The developer provided the GitHub link: http://thomaswilburn.net/caret/. Source: over 4 years ago

• backup cheap chromebook for light web development?

  In lieu of Sublime Text, you might take look at the Caret editor. It has a lot of the same features. Developers page with info: http://thomaswilburn.net/caret/. Source: almost 5 years ago

Tracking DevNotes since Mar 2026.