jrnl
« Back to VersTracker
Description:
Command-line note taker
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 4.2.1@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 13, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Productivity
Tags: journaling cli productivity notes encryption
Install: brew install jrnl
About:
jrnl is a command-line journaling application that stores notes in plain text files. It allows users to quickly capture thoughts and events using a natural date syntax, while offering powerful filtering and encryption capabilities. The tool prioritizes speed and simplicity, making it ideal for maintaining a local, searchable personal log.
Key Features:
  • Natural language date parsing (e.g., 'yesterday', 'last Tuesday')
  • Advanced filtering by tags, date ranges, and keywords
  • Optional AES-256 encryption for secure journals
  • Export to various formats (JSON, XML, PDF)
  • Plain text storage for portability and longevity
Use Cases:
  • Daily logging and journaling
  • Work log tracking and time management
  • Meeting notes and project documentation
  • Quick thought capture (digital brain dump)
Alternatives:
  • Day One – GUI-based, Apple ecosystem focused, richer media support
  • Obsidian – Markdown-based, knowledge graph, extensive plugin ecosystem
  • Standard Notes – Cloud-synced, end-to-end encrypted, cross-platform GUI
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Dec 13, 2025 3:07pm 0 VERSION_BUMP b15b579b
Sep 12, 2025 10:03am 0 VERSION_BUMP 343d604e
Dec 21, 2024 8:41pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 0cf0483e
Dec 15, 2024 11:20am 0 VERSION_BUMP c8ab3874
Nov 18, 2024 12:08pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 4a789250
Oct 12, 2024 11:00am 0 VERSION_BUMP 689c4372
Sep 14, 2024 10:13am 0 VERSION_BUMP d6c65195
Oct 28, 2023 9:59pm 5 VERSION_BUMP e03f5605
Oct 27, 2023 9:59pm 5 VERSION_BUMP 6344425b
Aug 9, 2023 10:31pm 4 VERSION_BUMP 21b536e3
Aug 6, 2023 9:31pm 3 VERSION_BUMP a22aba44
Jun 3, 2023 2:41pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 75aee326
Jun 3, 2023 12:40pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 88e6af1f
May 20, 2023 11:01pm 0 VERSION_BUMP d79881fb
May 20, 2023 5:49pm 0 VERSION_BUMP bf175411