# Overview

`jrnl` is a simple journal application for the command line.

You can use it to easily create, search, and view journal entries. Journals are stored as human-readable plain text, and can also be encrypted using AES encryption.

`jrnl` has most of the features you need, and few of the ones you don't.

## Plain Text

`jrnl` stores each journal in plain text. You can store `jrnl` files anywhere, including in shared folders to keep them synchronized between devices. Journal files are compact (thousands of entries take up less than 1 MiB) and can be read by almost any electronic device, now and for the foreseeable future.

## Tags

To make it easier to find entries later, `jrnl` includes support for inline tags (the default tag symbol is `@`). You can find and filter entries by using tags along with other search criteria.

## Support for Multiple Journals

`jrnl` includes support for the creation of multiple journals, each of which can be stored as a single file or as a set of files. Entries are automatically timestamped in a human-readable format that makes it easy to view multiple entries at a time. `jrnl` can easily find the entries you want so that you can read them or edit them.

## Support for External Editors

`jrnl` plays nicely with your favorite text editor. You may prefer to write journal entries in an editor. Or you may want to make changes that require a more comprehensive application. `jrnl` can filter specific entries and pass them to the external editor of your choice.

## Encryption

`jrnl` includes support for AES encryption. See the encryption page for more information.

## Import and Export

`jrnl` makes it easy to import entries from other sources. Existing entries can be exported in a variety of formats.

## Multi-Platform Support

`jrnl` is compatible with most operating systems. You can download it using one of a variety of package managers, or you can build from source.

## Open-Source

`jrnl` is written in Python and maintained by a friendly community of open-source software enthusiasts.

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