Local-First Software

Definitions

1. A software design philosophy where data lives primarily on the user's device, with optional sync to the cloud and other devices. Combines the speed and offline capability of local apps with the collaboration features of cloud apps. Uses CRDTs or similar merge strategies. Advocated by Ink & Switch's influential 2019 paper.

   In plain English: Software that stores your data on your own device first, syncing to the cloud as a bonus rather than a requirement.

   Example: "The note-taking app is local-first — it works instantly offline and syncs changes peer-to-peer when devices reconnect."

Related Terms

• Webhook vs. Polling
• Event-Driven Architecture
• blast radius
• ADR
• Client
• Decentralization
• Distributed Systems
• Domain