zen
Selfhosted notes app. Single golang binary, notes stored as markdown within SQLite, full-text search, very low resource usage
No outside reports on file
Zen is relatively low-risk if you run it on a private network and keep it updated, but you should treat it like any self-hosted application—verify it's secure before connecting it to an AI system that reads your notes.
Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 22, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee.
What it can access
- Local filesReads local filesNOTED
- Command executionNo shell command runner notedLOW
- Network reachConnects to outside service APINOTED
- CredentialsNo API token requiredLOW
- Package sourceGitHub (sheshbabu/zen)PUBLIC
Inferred from this listing’s public package details and description. Check the project’s source before installing.
Install
No npm or PyPI package is listed. Install from source: github.com/sheshbabu/zen ↗
Everything known
We found nothing about this project in the sources we read (last checked 2026-10-30). That does not mean it has no problems.
0 incidents · 0 advisories · 0 news articles · 0 community threads · checked 2026-10-30
Popularity grade: C (from public signals such as stars and downloads, not a code review). Graded 2026-10-22.
Sources we read: OSV, GitHub Advisory Database, CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities, 44 security news feeds and our incident library. Last checked 2026-10-30.
About Zen
Zen is a self-hosted notes application that runs as a single Go program. It stores notes as Markdown files in a SQLite database and includes full-text search capability, all while using minimal computer resources.
Who it’s for
People who want to keep personal notes on their own server rather than using a cloud service. Best for users comfortable running and maintaining their own software.
Alternatives
- Joplin: Open-source note app with end-to-end encryption and sync options
- Obsidian: Local knowledge base tool with extensive plugin ecosystem
- Notesnook: Privacy-focused notes with encrypted storage and self-hosting available
Setup
Check these steps against the project’s own instructions before running anything.
Follow the project's README at https://github.com/sheshbabu/zen (opens external site) for installation instructions, as setup depends on your operating system and hosting preference.
Why this grade
Signal-based grade (3/7 points): well starred on GitHub, public source code. This reflects adoption and transparency, not a code review.
Popularity and upkeep
- GitHub stars
- 1.2k
- Listing last refreshed
- 2026-10-30
These are public popularity signals, not a maintenance check. Look at the repository’s commit history and open issues.
Risks to watch for
- Direct file access: The connector could read or modify any notes stored in the SQLite database if given access to those files
- Search injection: Markdown formatting or specially crafted text in notes might confuse the search function or be misinterpreted
- Unverified code: As a self-hosted tool, you're responsible for keeping it updated; older versions may have security problems
- Resource exhaustion: Large notes or search queries without limits could consume significant server memory
- Data exposure in transit: If not properly configured with HTTPS, notes could be readable during transmission
How to lower the risk
Least-privilege permissions
- Run Zen with a dedicated user account that cannot access unrelated files
- Restrict database file permissions to only the Zen application
Network isolation
- Keep Zen on your private network, not exposed to the public internet
- Use a firewall to limit which devices can connect to it
Monitoring
- Check Zen's logs regularly for unusual access patterns
- Monitor which notes the AI connector is reading and searching
Red flags to watch for
- Updates that don't mention security fixes when new vulnerabilities emerge
- Unexpected high memory or disk usage from the application
- The connector requesting access to system files outside the notes directory
Questions
How do I install Zen?
Zen does not publish a standalone npm or PyPI package. Clone or follow the setup instructions in its source repository at github.com/sheshbabu/zen.
Are there security reports about Zen?
No reports found for this package in our research (last checked 2026-10-30). Zen currently holds Grade C (Moderate risk signals) based on public adoption and transparency signals. Key risk areas to watch include direct file access, search injection, unverified code.
Is Zen actively maintained?
Zen has 1.2k GitHub stars. Our directory data was last refreshed on 2026-10-30. Check recent commit activity, release tags, and open issues at github.com/sheshbabu/zen before pinning it in production.
What are alternatives to Zen?
Notable alternatives to Zen include Joplin (Open-source note app with end-to-end encryption and sync options), Obsidian (Local knowledge base tool with extensive plugin ecosystem), Notesnook (Privacy-focused notes with encrypted storage and self-hosting available). You can also compare Zen side by side with other MCP servers in the Related tools section on this page.
README badge and team notes
Maintain or use Zen? Show its live grade in your GitHub README, docs site, or run a check from the terminal before you install.
GitHub README Markdown:
[](https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/sheshbabu-zen)HTML embed:
<a href="https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/sheshbabu-zen"><img src="https://agentarmorhq.com/api/badge/sheshbabu-zen" alt="AgentArmorHQ Risk Grade for Zen" height="20" /></a>Terminal check:
curl -fsSL https://agentarmorhq.com/api/cli | node --input-type=module - check "sheshbabu-zen"Share with your security lead
Need sign-off to use zen? Copy this note for Slack, a ticket or a pull request.
### AgentArmorHQ Security Review Memo: zen
- **Listing URL:** https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/sheshbabu-zen
- **Type:** App connector
- **Risk Grade:** Grade C (Moderate risk signals)
- **Outside Security Advisories on File:** 0
- **Public Adoption:** 1.2k GitHub stars
#### Permission & Blast-Radius Signals
- **Local files:** Reads local files
- **Command execution:** No shell command runner noted
- **Network reach:** Connects to outside service API
- **Credentials:** No API token required
- **Package source:** GitHub (sheshbabu/zen)
#### Recommended Hardened Setup
- **Source Repo:** https://github.com/sheshbabu/zen
- **Controls:** Pin an exact version in `.mcp.json`, scope access to a single workspace folder, and use a least-privilege read-only token where supported.
_Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 22, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee._Key facts
- Type
- App connector
- Publisher
- sheshbabu
- Source code
- github.com/sheshbabu/zen
- Est. context load
- ~700 tokens / turn (~4 tool schemas, 0.35% of 200k context)
- Popularity
- 1.2k GitHub stars
- Last updated
- 2026-10-30
- Last graded
- 2026-10-22
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