SoloPDF
A PDF reader where highlights become notes
SoloPDF — A PDF reader where highlights become notes. It is a product built with the doaipm method, using Claude Code.
A free, ad-free, local-first cross-platform PDF reader. Every highlight you draw in a PDF automatically becomes a plain Markdown note file right beside it — edit, full-text search, and git-version it in SoloMD, and click to jump back to the exact spot in the source. When the PDF updates, highlights relocate by text fingerprint, so your notes are never lost. Opens 157MB / thousand-page files in about a second, with form filling, encrypted PDF support, and smart dark-mode inversion. Apple-notarized, zero telemetry, four languages.
Key capabilities
- Highlights become notes: each auto-generates a matching .annotations.md, seamless with SoloMD
- Jump back to source + text-fingerprint relocation — notes survive PDF updates
- Huge files open instantly: 157MB / 1048 pages cold-start in ~1s, constant memory
- Form filling: AcroForm text / checkbox / dropdown, export a filled copy without touching the original
- Encrypted PDFs, smart dark-mode inversion, reliable CJK search (NFKC normalization)
- Apple-notarized · zero telemetry · no ads · four languages
At a glance
| Name | SoloPDF |
|---|---|
| What it is | A PDF reader where highlights become notes |
| Specs | Free · 3 platforms · local-first · zero telemetry |
| Website | solopdf.doaipm.com |
| Source | github.com/zhitongblog/solopdf |
| Built with | the doaipm method + Claude Code |
Built using the doaipm method with Claude Code. See the methodology →