Show HN: Continuum – an open, local-first memory layer for your Mac
Continuum is an open-source, local-first memory tool for macOS that helps users organize, search, and recall personal data by building a persistent knowledge layer from app usage, clipboard history, and browsing activity without relying on cloud services.
Background
- Continuum is an open-source macOS app that acts as a "memory layer" for your computer — it records and indexes your activity (apps, files, websites, conversations) locally so you can search or retrieve past context later, like a private, always-on timeline.
- "Local-first" means all data stays on your machine, not uploaded to the cloud; this appeals to privacy-conscious users who want AI-assisted recall without giving their data to a third party.
- The project is a "Show HN" submission — a post on Hacker News (HN) where makers share their work for feedback. That community is heavily tech-oriented, privacy-aware, and skeptical of centralized AI tools.
- It sits in the same space as tools like Rewind.ai or Microsoft's Recall, but those have faced privacy backlash or require cloud sync. Continuum positions itself as the open, transparent alternative.
- This matters because it reflects a growing desire for personal AI tools that are user-controlled, transparent, and run entirely offline — a reaction against Big Tech's data-hungry AI assistants.