iThoughts Redux - A compatible, modern replacement for iThoughts, iThoughtsX and iThoughts2Go

iThoughts Redux - A compatible, modern replacement for iThoughts, iThoughtsX and iThoughts2Go
This site documents progress on building a compatible replacement for iThoughts / iThoughtsX and iThoughts2Go that can 'run anywhere'
Click the globe icon to read my original Blog Post explaining what this is. (and why I'm doing it)
Or click the globe on this node if you are interested in a Dev Blog documenting what I’m doing day to day
The entire contents of this page is still being edited in 'the original' iThoughtsX on my Mac. This demo software reads the original format which is sitting in a shared folder. No importing or exporting needed. Soon I'm hoping to start editing this in the app itself, but I have a few more features still to add, such as copy and paste and some sort of per node controls to allow setting colours and shape etc.
New Features and differences to iThoughtsX (Click the plus to open the children of this node)
This website's server software has been updated for a while now, so far so good, but still: Please let me know if you see any issues
The Beta is here, please try and give me feedback
https://ithoughtsx.com/beta/
Just updated with new pinch to zoom and canvas panning.
A big thanks to all those who are submitting feedback. Thanks thanks thanks!!!! I’m adding lots of things to the todo!
Platform support
Available (clck Beta globe above then Install as a PWA app)
MacOS Desktop PWA - Works well
IOS PWA - Saves but only to Downloads folder - same as android version
Android PWA - Saves to Downloads folder which is a pain
Still in Development / Not published yet
Android Native App - available on request
MacOS Native App - deferred for now
Here are some test nodes to play with (try moving them around with keyboard commands (if you are a seasoned iThoughtsX user), try using number keys to open N levels. Or try dragging a node to the LHS (to move to sibling) or RHS (to move to child) of an existing node.
The Goals for this project:
To keep the same file format (itmz) format for read and write (this means you dont lose anything since you don't need to export to a different format)
To reach feature parity with iThoughtsX for the features we use on a daily basis
To provide a framework on top of which I can add all sorts of goodies that I wished iThoughtsX had included (but initially I’m trying to keep it as close as possible)
To be able to run as a Web App on my phone or as a Native App on my desktop - Craig Scott originally intended to do an Android App, but it never happened... well now it can!
Actually: Since Web Apps cant 'autosave' I'm also doing a Native web app for android.
To be able to run on 'old' devices. (I have a couple of perfectly good iPad2s one of which I'd like to be able to use as a recipe book in the kitchen)
About Me:
Simon Ryan on LinkedIn
My Very Terse text-only Homepage
Contact me by email: simon dot ryan at gmail.com
Or drop some feedback on my main blog
Thanks for those that have contacted me directly, its good to know that there are so many others wanting a solution to our current dilemma!
How I'm using AI to help me write this:
For the LLMs I'm using only local models. These models change on a weekly basis. Currently I'm using mostly Qwen-3.8-27B and occasionally using GLM-5.2/5.3
Update: As of June 2026 - Open source models have come a long way and are more than capable. I’ve been spending time writing my own agent harness as a first step and it is now completed and working well for this project
My June 2026 comment
Most of the code is written by AI (ok wishful thinking, the reality is, AI writes the code (sometimes badly), and then I fix it or direct it towards specific fixes using test driven development.
My September 2026 opinion
AI’s write code VERY well under supervision. So long as I remain the architect in the middle.
There is no way I could write all this code as a side project and still do work for my clients without AI
I'm finding that the AI is helping when it knows what I don't know, however as the project is getting larger, it is having issues with reusing existing code as I cant fit it all in the context. - I now have a working solution to this using a Knowledge Graph that has full repo understanding of the code.
I’m also using adapted versions of Matt Pocock’s skills - These harden up the software development lifecycle hygiene for models that are just trained with code snippets
Roadmap
Short Term Roadmap:
Do another update to the Beta with more features
Publish the Android Tauri app once I figure out how I can get it to auto-update when needed
Consider other platform versions of the App
Unfortunately iOS is looking like the hardest target platform at the moment. The Apple ecosystem doesnt support the idea of 'free' for the developer. At this point I’m thinking I’ll get the other platforms working before I fork out money for the Apple development program.
Medium Term Roadmap:
Roadmap items Completed:
Manual tests I do before updating on this public demo site