# Org Roam UI Lite **URL:** \ **Category:** UX & UI\ **Created:** [August 19, 2025, 6:14am UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852 "2025-08-19T06:14:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tani](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/tani/32/1666_2.png) [@tani](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/tani)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 6:14am UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/1 "2025-08-19T06:14:39Z")
I’m excited to introduce **org-roam-ui-lite** , a lightweight and maintainable reimplementation of org-roam-ui’s core visualization features. Built with deep respect for the original project’s vision, this implementation focuses on **simplicity** , **static export capabilities** , and **long-term maintainability**. ## Motivation While org-roam-ui offers an impressive feature set, its complexity can present maintenance challenges. org-roam-ui-lite addresses these challenges by: - **Focusing on core functionality** - Graph visualization and note browsing - **Minimizing dependencies** - Reducing the maintenance burden - **Enabling static site generation** - Built-in support for publishing to GitHub Pages, Netlify, etc. - **Providing a sustainable codebase** - Clean architecture with comprehensive testing ## Key Features ### 1. **Minimal Yet Powerful** - Zero-configuration setup - TypeScript throughout for type safety - Comprehensive test coverage with Vitest - Clean, maintainable codebase ### 2. **Native Static Export** ```bash npm run export -- -d /path/to/org-roam.db -o /path/to/output python3 -m http.server -d /path/to/output ``` Perfect for sharing knowledge bases without running a server! ### 3. **Dual Backend Architecture** - **Node.js Backend** : Fast Hono server with modern tooling - **Emacs Backend** : Single-file implementation using only `simple-httpd` ### 4. **Modern Tech Stack** ```auto org-roam-ui-lite/ ├── packages/ │ ├── backend/ # Hono + DrizzleORM + sql.js │ ├── frontend/ # React + Vite + Cytoscape/Force-Graph │ └── emacs/ # Pure Elisp server (one file!) ``` ## Complementary, Not Competitive org-roam-ui-lite is designed to **complement** org-roam-ui, not replace it: | Use Case | org-roam-ui | org-roam-ui-lite | | --- | --- | --- | | Rich editing features | ✅ Best choice | ❌ Not supported | | Static site publishing | ⚠ Requires setup | ✅ Built-in | | Maintenance complexity | ⚠ Complex | ✅ Simple | | Feature richness | ✅ Comprehensive | ⚠ Essential only | ## Technical Highlights ### Compatibility - Uses the same org-roam database format - Supports familiar themes (Nord, Gruvbox, Dracula) - Multiple renderer options (Cytoscape, Force Graph, 3D Force Graph) ## Quick Start ### Pre-built Release ```bash curl -fsSLO https://github.com/tani/org-roam-ui-lite/releases/latest/download/org-roam-ui-lite.zip unzip ./org-roam-ui-lite.zip cd org-roam-ui-lite node ./backend/dist/serve.js -d /path/to/org-roam.db ``` ### Emacs Integration ```elisp (add-to-list 'load-path "/path/to/org-roam-ui-lite/emacs") (require 'org-roam-ui-lite) (org-roam-ui-lite-mode) ``` ## Vision for Integration By joining the org-roam-ui family as **org-roam-ui-lite** , we can: 1. **Expand user choice** - Different tools for different needs 2. **Share maintenance burden** - Each project focuses on its strengths 3. **Strengthen the ecosystem** - Complementary solutions increase overall value 4. **Improve sustainability** - Simpler codebases are easier to maintain long-term ## Resources - **GitHub Repository** : [GitHub - tani/org-roam-ui-lite](https://github.com/tani/org-roam-ui-lite) ## Conclusion org-roam-ui-lite represents a sustainable approach to org-roam visualization, prioritizing maintainability and static publishing while respecting the original project’s pioneering vision. By working together, we can offer users a complete spectrum of tools for their knowledge management needs. I would be honored to contribute org-roam-ui-lite to the org-roam-ui organization and work alongside this amazing community. ---
**Author:** ![akashp](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/akashp/32/1383_2.png) [@akashp](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/akashp)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2025, 3:11am UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/2 "2025-08-20T03:11:04Z")
Much thanks and appreciation for this ---
**Author:** ![nobiot](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/nobiot/32/159_2.png) [@nobiot](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/nobiot)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 7:14am UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/3 "2025-08-23T07:14:19Z")
> [@tani](#): > > I would be honored to contribute org-roam-ui-lite to the org-roam-ui organization and work alongside this amazing community. This looks like a great addition to the Org-roam project. @dustinfarris what do you think? @tani , It may be better if you proposed this in the project issue on GitHub of Org-roam, the main project, not Org-roam-UI – the ORUI project maintainer seems to be too busy with their other parts of life and may not respond in a timely manner. There are a couple of maintainers on the main Org-roam project. ---
**Author:** ![tani](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/tani/32/1666_2.png) [@tani](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/tani)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 9:59am UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/4 "2025-08-23T09:59:08Z")
Hi @nobiot, Thank you for the kind words and the excellent suggestion! That’s a great point. It makes perfect sense to post the proposal on the main Org-roam project’s GitHub issues to ensure it reaches the active maintainers. I will go ahead and create an issue there and link back to this conversation for context. Thanks again for the guidance! ---
**Author:** ![ChuckSneed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/chucksneed/32/1379_2.png) [@ChuckSneed](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/ChuckSneed)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 10:17am UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/5 "2025-08-24T10:17:15Z")
@tani : can the Org Roam UI Lite be used on android Chromium/Vanadium Browser? Take a look at the workflow I outline [here](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-for-viewing-org-roam-notes-on-mobile/3853). ---
**Author:** ![akashp](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/akashp/32/1383_2.png) [@akashp](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/akashp)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/6 "2025-08-24T11:52:16Z")
Why bother doing so much effort? The server will run on port 5173 or 5174. On your another computer/mobile in the same network - unless you block something just visit the local ip in the port and profit. No need to install termux run Emacs in android. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckSneed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/chucksneed/32/1379_2.png) [@ChuckSneed](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/ChuckSneed)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/7 "2025-08-24T12:09:10Z")
> [@akashp](#): > > Why bother so much? So that I can read my org-roam notes and its graph when my laptop is shutdown. ---
**Author:** ![dustinfarris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/dustinfarris/32/1055_2.png) [@dustinfarris](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/dustinfarris)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/8 "2025-08-24T14:55:21Z")
I’ll have to take a closer look but this seems great. ---
**Author:** ![tani](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/tani/32/1666_2.png) [@tani](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/tani)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/9 "2025-08-24T15:22:09Z")
Yes. you can use org-roam-ui-lite android’s emacs as you mentioned. However, please consider using a static-site generator with [https://github.com/tani/org-roam-ui-lite?tab=readme-ov-file#building-a-static-site-pre-built](https://github.com/tani/org-roam-ui-lite?tab=readme-ov-file#building-a-static-site-pre-built). The plain HTML files can be read anywhere, even on an Android browser moreover offline environment too. You can run the generator using Node.js, which is available at [https://nodejs-mobile.github.io/](https://nodejs-mobile.github.io/). ---
**Author:** ![tani](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/org-roam.discourse.group/tani/32/1666_2.png) [@tani](https://org-roam.discourse.group/u/tani)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://org-roam.discourse.group/t/org-roam-ui-lite/3852/10 "2025-08-24T15:24:35Z")
Thank you. I appreciate any feedback you can provide.