OpenNote

One note, unlimited vibes.

Setup

npm install

Run

npm run note

Quick templates

Copy/paste one:

1. Dark grime lead

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=lead --fx=grime --decay=long --theme="dark industrial pulse" --length=16 --bpm=130 --seed-source=manual --seed=60 --export-midi=./exports/template-01-dark-grime.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

2. Techno bass drive

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=bass --fx=punch --decay=tight --theme="minimal techno groove" --length=16 --bpm=132 --seed-source=manual --seed=48 --export-midi=./exports/template-02-techno-bass.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

3. Lush ambient pad

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=pad --fx=lush --decay=long --theme="ambient cinematic" --length=24 --bpm=96 --seed-source=manual --seed=52 --export-midi=./exports/template-03-lush-ambient.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

4. Retro synthwave keys

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=keys --fx=dark --decay=balanced --theme="synthwave retro neon" --length=16 --bpm=118 --seed-source=manual --seed=64 --export-midi=./exports/template-04-synthwave-keys.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

5. Trap lead sparse

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=lead --fx=punch --decay=tight --theme="trap melodic lead" --length=12 --bpm=145 --seed-source=manual --seed=57 --export-midi=./exports/template-05-trap-lead.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

6. House keys groove

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=keys --fx=clean --decay=balanced --theme="melodic house uplifting" --length=16 --bpm=124 --seed-source=manual --seed=62 --export-midi=./exports/template-06-house-keys.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

7. Neo-soul keys smooth

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=keys --fx=clean --decay=long --theme="jazz neo-soul phrasing" --length=16 --bpm=92 --seed-source=manual --seed=65 --export-midi=./exports/template-07-neo-soul.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

8. Industrial drums

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=drums --fx=grime --decay=tight --theme="dark industrial pulse" --length=16 --bpm=136 --seed-source=manual --seed=60 --export-midi=./exports/template-08-industrial-drums.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

9. Lo-fi chill line

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=keys --fx=dark --decay=balanced --theme="lofi chillhop" --length=16 --bpm=88 --seed-source=manual --seed=58 --export-midi=./exports/template-09-lofi.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

10. Export-ready MP4 run

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --instrument=lead --fx=grime --decay=long --theme="industrial" --length=16 --bpm=130 --seed-source=manual --seed=60 --export-midi=./exports/take-01.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

11. AI backing (techno drums + bass)

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --mode=backing --instrument=lead --fx=punch --decay=balanced --theme="minimal techno groove" --length=16 --bpm=132 --seed-source=manual --seed=60 --transpose=0 --pitch-range=mid --snap-scale=true --mod-rate=med --mod-depth=25 --mod-target=velocity --growth=build --duration-stretch=1.5 --timing-feel=offbeat --timing-amount=35 --backing-drums=true --backing-bass=true --backing-clap=true --backing-open-hat=true --backing-perc=true --metronome=count-in --swing=18 --gate=balanced --mutate=12 --deviate=10 --export-midi=./exports/template-11-ai-backing.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

12. Ambient growth (long phrases + human timing)

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --mode=single --instrument=pad --fx=lush --decay=long --theme="ambient cinematic" --length=24 --bpm=94 --seed-source=manual --seed=52 --growth=build --duration-stretch=2 --timing-feel=human --timing-amount=22 --export-midi=./exports/template-12-ambient-growth.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

13. Trap pocket (offbeat hats + clap)

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --mode=backing --instrument=lead --fx=grime --decay=tight --theme="trap melodic lead" --length=16 --bpm=145 --seed-source=manual --seed=57 --growth=build --duration-stretch=1 --timing-feel=offbeat --timing-amount=45 --backing-drums=true --backing-bass=true --backing-clap=true --backing-open-hat=true --backing-perc=false --metronome=count-in --swing=10 --gate=tight --mutate=14 --deviate=12 --export-midi=./exports/template-13-trap-pocket.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

14. Loose industrial groove (perc heavy)

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --mode=backing --instrument=keys --fx=dark --decay=balanced --theme="dark industrial pulse" --length=16 --bpm=132 --seed-source=manual --seed=60 --growth=build --duration-stretch=1.25 --timing-feel=loose --timing-amount=38 --backing-drums=true --backing-bass=false --backing-clap=false --backing-open-hat=true --backing-perc=true --metronome=count-in --swing=14 --gate=balanced --mutate=16 --deviate=15 --export-midi=./exports/template-14-industrial-loose.mid --export-audio=mp4 --open-after-export=finder

Interactive flow

The CLI uses arrow keys + Enter and runs this setup:

1. Provider

• Demo mode (mock) or live provider (openai, gemini, claude, groq, grok)
• If provider key is missing, CLI prompts for it

2. Setup path

• basic: quick run with smart defaults (single, lead, clean, balanced, mp4 + Finder) plus style/structure/seed
• surprise me: instantly auto-picks full config and goes straight to generation
• advanced: full controls for pitch, modulation, and groove

Advanced-only steps:

3. Mode

• single (default): melody-only flow
• backing: reveals drums/bass/metronome and groove controls

4. Instrument

• lead, bass, pad, keys, drums

5. FX

• Preset: clean, dark, grime, lush, punch
• Decay: tight, balanced, long

6. Pitch

• transpose via arrow flow: direction (Down/Neutral/Up) + amount (1..12)
• range (low|mid|high)
• snap to scale (on|off)

7. Modulate

• rate (off|slow|med|fast)
• depth (0..100)
• target (velocity|duration|pitch)

8. Movement

• growth (flat|build) for song energy over time
• duration stretch (1.0x..3.0x) for longer phrase feel
• timing feel (tight|human|offbeat|loose)
• timing amount (0..100)

9. Backing controls (only when mode is backing)

• Drums on/off
• Bass on/off
• Clap on/off
• Open hat on/off
• Perc on/off
• Metronome (off|count-in|always)
• Swing (0..100)
• Gate (tight|balanced|long)
• Mutate (0..100)
• Deviate (0..100)

All paths include:

10. Style

• Preset music categories or custom theme

11. Structure

• Length (notes)
• BPM

12. Input

• basic and surprise me: manual seed
• advanced: keyboard or manual mode

13. Export open action

• none
• finder
• garageband

14. Export media profile

• mp4 (default highlighted in prompt)
• mp3
• none (MIDI only)

15. Summary + confirm (advanced only)

• Start generation
• Back to setup

After playback, action menu order is:

1. Export MIDI + <open action> + finish
2. Export MIDI + <open action> + retry
3. Retry (new take)
4. Finish

Notes:

• Export path auto-generates timestamped filename under ./exports/ unless --export-midi=... is provided.
• MP4 cover image is fixed to ./src/assets/cover.png (replace that file in the repo to change cover art).
• MP3/MP4 exports also write MIDI stems by default (-melody.mid, -bass.mid, -drums.mid when present).

Cover art workflow

• Replace ./src/assets/cover.png with your own image.
• Drag your image into Figma or Affinity, design album art, export as PNG.
• Save it back to ./src/assets/cover.png.
• Run OpenNote and export MP4.
• Start making music.

Non-interactive usage

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --theme="ambient" --length=16 --bpm=120 --seed-source=manual --seed=60

With export + Finder reveal:

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --theme="ambient" --length=16 --bpm=120 --seed-source=manual --seed=60 --export-midi=./exports/take-01.mid --open-after-export=finder --export-audio=mp4

With AI backing + groove controls:

npm run note -- --no-interactive --provider=mock --mode=backing --theme="trap melodic lead" --length=16 --bpm=140 --seed-source=manual --seed=57 --transpose=0 --pitch-range=mid --snap-scale=false --mod-rate=slow --mod-depth=20 --mod-target=velocity --growth=build --duration-stretch=1.25 --timing-feel=offbeat --timing-amount=35 --backing-drums=true --backing-bass=false --backing-clap=true --backing-open-hat=true --backing-perc=false --metronome=count-in --swing=12 --gate=tight --mutate=10 --deviate=8 --export-midi=./exports/take-backing.mid --open-after-export=finder --export-audio=mp4

CLI flags

• --provider=mock|openai|gemini|claude|groq|grok
• --instrument=lead|bass|pad|keys|drums
• --fx=clean|dark|grime|lush|punch
• --decay=tight|balanced|long
• --mode=single|backing
• --transpose=-12..12
• --pitch-range=low|mid|high
• --snap-scale=true|false
• --mod-rate=off|slow|med|fast
• --mod-depth=0..100
• --mod-target=velocity|duration|pitch
• --growth=flat|build
• --duration-stretch=1..4
• --timing-feel=tight|human|offbeat|loose
• --timing-amount=0..100
• --backing-drums=true|false
• --backing-bass=true|false
• --backing-clap=true|false
• --backing-open-hat=true|false
• --backing-perc=true|false
• --metronome=off|count-in|always
• --swing=0..100
• --gate=tight|balanced|long
• --mutate=0..100
• --deviate=0..100
• --theme="..."
• --length=<notes>
• --bpm=<tempo>
• --seed=<0-127>
• --seed-source=keyboard|manual
• --beep=true|false
• --export-midi=<path.mid>
• --open-after-export=none|finder|garageband
• --export-audio=none|mp3|mp4
• --export-stems=true|false
• --no-interactive
• --help

Provider keys

• OpenAI: OPENAI_API_KEY (optional OPENAI_MODEL)
• Gemini: GEMINI_API_KEY (optional GEMINI_MODEL)
• Claude: ANTHROPIC_API_KEY (optional CLAUDE_MODEL)
• Groq: GROQ_API_KEY (optional GROQ_MODEL)
• Grok (xAI): XAI_API_KEY (optional GROK_MODEL)

npm publish checklist

1. Keep "private": true during development to prevent accidental publish.
2. Run pack preview:

npm run pack:check

3. When ready to publish, set "private": false in package.json.
4. Publish:

npm publish

Versioning

• Versioning uses SemVer: major.minor.patch.
• Changelog lives in CHANGELOG.md.
• Bump version before release:

npm run version:patch   # fixes only
npm run version:minor   # new backward-compatible features
npm run version:major   # breaking changes

Export behavior

• MIDI: always supported (.mid)
• MP3/MP4: uses ffmpeg-static bundled via npm dependency
• If bundled ffmpeg is unavailable on platform, install system ffmpeg and rerun