Interactive initialization
Initial setup walks through choosing an AI provider and wiki location, then enables optional git automation.
garden-md
garden-md is an open-source Node.js CLI that turns meeting transcripts into a local company wiki, linking entities and preserving the original text.
Overview
garden-md is an open-source command-line tool that turns meeting transcripts into a local company wiki. It connects to transcript sources, stages new content, extracts entities from the documents, and generates linked markdown pages that can be browsed as a Wikipedia-style site.
The workflow is designed to keep transcripts intact while making them easier to search and navigate. According to the project README, it stores everything locally as markdown files, can optionally commit changes to git, and works with supported AI providers through a bring-your-own-key setup.
Core capabilities
Transcript source connections
The `connect` flow supports Grain, Granola, Fireflies.ai, and other API-based services, with a generated connector path for unsupported tools.
Sync and entity linking pipeline
`sync` pulls new transcripts into a raw staging area, and `tend` processes them into linked wiki pages.
Entity extraction with original text preserved
The system extracts people, companies, and products/tools, then inserts standard markdown links without rewriting the source text.
Browsable wiki output
`open` renders the wiki as HTML with sidebar navigation, search, and backlinks for browsing.
Automated refresh loop
`watch` can repeat sync and tend automatically on a schedule so the wiki stays current.
Typical uses
Build a company wiki from transcripts
Teams can consolidate meeting notes and transcripts into a linked internal knowledge base that is easier to browse than a folder of raw files.
Organize transcripts without editing them
Users who want to keep source text unchanged can index transcripts and add navigation without rewriting the original meeting record.
Keep the wiki updated over time
People responsible for ongoing documentation can run the watcher mode so new meetings are synced and processed automatically.
Connect a non-listed transcript source
Teams with custom recording or transcript systems can use the “Other” connector path to build a connector from API documentation.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Works locally with markdown files instead of a cloud database.
- Connects to multiple transcript sources, including Grain, Granola, and Fireflies.ai.
- Preserves original transcript text while adding entity links.
- Can auto-sync and reprocess new transcripts on a schedule.
- Provides a browsable HTML wiki with search and backlinks.
Cons
- It depends on a supported AI provider API key.
- Unsupported connectors require generating a script for review before use.
- The project does not rewrite or summarize transcripts, so it is oriented around linking and organization rather than synthesis.
FAQ
How does garden-md work?
It is a local command-line tool that initializes a wiki, connects a transcript source, syncs raw transcripts, runs entity linking, and opens the generated wiki in a browser.
Which transcript sources does it support?
The README says it can connect to Grain, Granola, Fireflies.ai, or another API-based service if you provide the service name and API docs URL.
Does it store meeting data in the cloud?
No. The project says it stores data as local markdown files and does not store data in the cloud.
What do I need to use it?
The project states that it requires Node.js 18+ and an API key from a supported AI provider, and it offers BYOK rather than a subscription.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tool
- Primary use
- Turn meeting transcripts into a company wiki
- Platform
- Node.js CLI
- License model
- Open source
- Storage
- Local markdown files
- Source site
- github.com
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