Show HN: RefForge – A WIP modern, lightweight reading list/reference manager https://ift.tt/IOfBG0A

Show HN: RefForge – A WIP modern, lightweight reading list/reference manager Hi HN! I built RefForge, a lightweight, desktop-first reading list and reference manager (WIP). It's a local-first app built with Next.js + Tauri and stores data in a small SQLite DB. I’m sharing it to get feedback on the UX, feature priorities, and architecture before I invest in more advanced features. This is an experimental project where I am trying to build something from scratch using AI and see how far I can build it without writing a single line of code manually. What does it offer? Manage your reading list and references in a simple, project-based UI Local SQLite storage (no cloud; your data stays on your machine) Add / edit / delete references, tag them, rate priority, group by project Built as a Tauri desktop app with a Next.js/React frontend Why did I build it? Existing reference managers can be heavy or opinionated. I wanted a small, fast, local-first tool focused on reading lists and quick citation exports that I can extend with features I need (PDF attachments, DOI lookup, BibTeX export, lightweight sync). Current features Add / edit / delete references Tagging and project organization Priority and status fields Small, searchable local DB (WIP: full-text search planned) Ready-to-extend codebase (TypeScript + React + Tauri + SQLite) https://ift.tt/YspnOqK August 25, 2025 at 10:09PM