Hashcards: A Plain-Text Spaced Repetition System
17 hours ago
- hashcards is a local-first spaced repetition app using Markdown files instead of a database.
- Cards are content-addressed by hash, stored as directories of .md files with Q/A and cloze formats.
- Benefits include editing with any editor, version control with Git, sharing on GitHub, and scripting with Unix tools.
- The app uses FSRS scheduling algorithm for optimal review intervals.
- Frictionless card creation is prioritized, with minimal markup for cloze deletions (square brackets) and Q/A cards.
- Compared to Anki, hashcards avoids its poor interface and WYSIWYG editing; compared to Mochi, it addresses verbose cloze syntax and algorithmic issues.
- User frustrations with Anki (ugly interface, lack of direct study mode) and Mochi (poor long-term scheduling) drove design decisions.