Minutes review
A free, open-source desktop app for keeping searchable meeting memory in local Markdown files.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Minutes is a free, open-source desktop and command-line app for recording meetings, voice memos, and dictation. It is aimed at individuals and developers who want local meeting memory in inspectable files rather than a hosted meeting-notes workspace. The published description includes Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as an API, and the app stores transcripts and notes as searchable Markdown with YAML frontmatter.
Its defining approach is local capture and structured retrieval. Minutes transcribes audio on-device, supports real-time transcription, separates speakers with labels, and extracts decisions and action items. Search spans transcripts and notes. Optional AI summarization can use a connected agent, local model, or provider. That makes the product a fit for people who want their meeting archive represented as files and queried through tools, rather than relying on a conventional meeting workspace.
MCP tools connect authorized meeting context to clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, Cursor, OpenCode, and Pi; the listed ecosystem also includes Ollama, OpenAI-compatible gateways, and Obsidian. The product is free and open source, and its site describes it as MIT licensed. The focus is specialized: someone looking for developer-oriented local memory, dictation, and searchable notes may find that fit compelling. Teams seeking a hosted workspace, broader non-developer integrations, or support beyond documentation should consider alternatives with those priorities.
Minutes pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Records and transcribes audio locally, with speaker labels and real-time transcription
- Extracts action items and decisions into searchable Markdown notes
- MCP tools connect meeting recall to developer clients such as Claude and Codex
- Where it doesn't
- Designed for self-hosted desktop workflows rather than a hosted meeting-notes workspace
- Its listed integrations focus on developer tools and related clients
- Documentation is the listed support channel
Minutes fact sheet, pricing and score →
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