Local-first meeting notetaker

A closer look at Local-first meeting notetaker

How Nod handles meeting data on your device

Nod keeps audio in memory only while the speech model needs it and does not write raw audio to disk, caches, temporary files, or crash reports. If the app is killed mid-meeting, the transcript written so far is saved and any unheard audio is gone. Transcripts and notes are stored locally as one encrypted file per meeting; the file key stays in the operating system keychain. The vault key is represented as a 24-word recovery phrase and is present on paper and in the keychains of your devices.

Encryption and integrity details you can verify

Each meeting file is encrypted with AES-256-GCM. Files begin with a version byte and a 96-bit nonce, followed by ciphertext and a 128-bit authentication tag; the meeting identity is included as associated data so files copied between meetings or vaults fail to open. File keys are random 256-bit keys wrapped by the OS keychain (macOS Keychain, Windows DPAPI, Linux keyring, phone Keychain/Keystore). The vault key is a separate 256-bit root from which purpose-specific keys are derived with HKDF-SHA256.

How sync and updates work without a readable server

Devices share meetings through a place you choose: a folder handled by a file-sync service you trust, or a relay server that can be self-hosted. Those endpoints only see encrypted files with names, sizes, and times; they never receive the vault key. Devices derive the vault key from the 24-word recovery phrase; a phone pairs by scanning a QR code that carries a one-time pairing secret. Each meeting is stored as an Automerge document, so edits from multiple devices merge without a central authority. Releases include SHA-256 file hashes listed in a signed release list that Nod checks before installing updates. On macOS the app is signed and notarized; Windows installer is not signed yet and will show a Windows warning the first time you run it.

Questions people ask about Local-first meeting notetaker

Can the relay or folder I use read my meetings?

No - they only see encrypted files, filenames, sizes, and timestamps; the vault key is never sent to those endpoints.

What happens if two people edit the same meeting at once?

Meetings use Automerge, which merges edits from multiple devices so both sets of changes are incorporated rather than lost.

How do I add a phone to my devices?

You pair a phone by scanning a QR code that contains a one-time pairing secret so the phone receives the vault key without it being sent to a server.

Local-first meeting notetaker was shared on NexURLs by NexURLs on November 6, 2026, in Business & Startups.