Lucid

Lucid is an accessibility and productivity tool that converts dictated text into structured headings, lists, tables, and diagrams.

Lucid is a local-first productivity and accessibility application designed for hands-free or one-handed note-taking and learning system design. Users dictate speech through external tools that paste text into Lucid, which automatically organizes content under headings or inside tables and lists. It runs local language models via LM Studio using qwen/qwen3.8-27b to ensure privacy and low costs. Lucid features specialized modes for diagram creation, natural language page editing commands, and a built-in MCP server for external AI agents like Claude Code. Output can be exported as customizable typeset PDFs, raw Markdown, or complete notes with version histories.

Lucid at a glance

Best for: Software engineer, Designer
Runs on: macOS, Windows, Linux, open source
Pricing: Free and open source (MIT licence).
Released: October 2026
Category: AI productivity tool
Website: github.com/triggeredcode/lucid

Key features

Turn dictated text into structured headings, lists, and tables
Build diagrams through a guided three-phase voice workflow
Edit content directly via natural language in Command mode
Integrate with external AI agents via a built-in MCP server
Typeset notes into customized PDF documents locally
Export full notes with complete version histories or as Markdown
Run fully locally using LM Studio and the qwen/qwen3.8-27b model
Start quickly using three preconfigured note formats or blank pages

Use it for

Taking structured notes completely hands-free or one-handed
Drafting and editing system design diagrams out loud
Generating typeset PDF documents from spoken thoughts
Allowing AI coding agents like Claude Code to read and write notes

Alternatives to Lucid

Docling — Provides advanced PDF understanding and local execution for sensitive data.
IWE — Works natively across Mac apps, text editors, terminal CLI, and MCP servers.
SoloMD — An open-source, local-first editor with no accounts or subscriptions required.
Basic Memory — Stores data in local Markdown files that remain accessible and readable by any AI.
Use the AI you already pay for — Use existing AI subscriptions to process documents into audio.
MarkItDown — Converts documents into LLM-friendly Markdown for better token efficiency.
LLM Wiki Compiler — Compiles raw sources into a citation-traced, interlinked markdown wiki.
Ida — Controls your Mac and apps using voice or text commands with one key.
bento — Local-first office documents that work offline forever with zero cloud dependency.
MarkItDown AI — Convert local documents directly in your browser without installing Python.
Talkhawk — Speech recognition runs locally on your PC so your audio never leaves your computer.
Notely AI — It syncs notes and tasks directly to Google Calendar and connected apps.

All Lucid alternatives