Data & diagrams
Minder
A keyboard-driven mind mapping application with automatic layout
★ 1.2k
July 2026
GPL-3.0
Data & diagrams
What we checked ourselves
Not copied from the project's own blurb. These are things we opened and verified, with the date.
- 23 Aug 2026We checked that the link to the project still resolves.
- 14 Aug 2026We read the licence text itself (LICENSE). No unusual restrictions were stated.
- 3 Sept 2026We read the project's own documentation and found no sign that development has stopped.
Where this sits among the 36 tools we list in Data & diagrams
- Works without using a terminal25 of 36
- No API key required21 of 36
- Keeps your data on your own machine6 of 36
- Commercial use confirmed as allowed20 of 36
Only 5 of the 36 meet all of the conditions above.
Counted from our own checks: every tool we list is examined against the same criteria.
What it does
Builds branching diagrams quickly from the keyboard, with the layout arranged automatically so you never drag boxes around, and supports notes, tasks, images and Markdown formatting on individual nodes. Linux only - there are no official Windows or Mac builds. It is a drawing tool rather than something that generates the map for you, and there is no collaborative editing.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals
Before you start
- Setup difficultySome setup needed
- Command lineNot required
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineNo
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
Minder FAQ
- Is Minder free?
- Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use Minder?
- You install it like a normal desktop app. No command line involved.
- Does Minder work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Can I use Minder commercially?
- The licence is GPL-3.0. Using it commercially is fine, but if you distribute something built on it you may be required to release that under the same licence. Keep it internal, or check before distributing.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minder (this page) | Not needed | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| mermaid | Not needed | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| next-ai-draw-io | Not needed | Required | Yes | No | Yes |
| ml-visuals | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.