# Overview `jrnl` is a simple journal application for the command line. You can use it to easily create, search, and view journal entries. Journals are stored as human-readable plain text, and can also be encrypted using [AES encryption](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard). `jrnl` has most of the features you need, and few of the ones you don't. ## Plain Text `jrnl` stores each journal in plain text. You can store `jrnl` files anywhere, including in shared folders to keep them synchronized between devices. Journal files are compact (thousands of entries take up less than 1 MiB) and can be read by almost any electronic device, now and for the foreseeable future. ## Tags To make it easier to find entries later, `jrnl` includes support for inline tags (the default tag symbol is `@`). You can find and filter entries by using tags along with other search criteria. ## Support for Multiple Journals `jrnl` includes support for the creation of multiple journals, each of which can be stored as a single file or as a set of files. Entries are automatically timestamped in a human-readable format that makes it easy to view multiple entries at a time. `jrnl` can easily find the entries you want so that you can read them or edit them. ## Support for External Editors `jrnl` plays nicely with your favorite text editor. You may prefer to write journal entries in an editor. Or you may want to make changes that require a more comprehensive application. `jrnl` can filter specific entries and pass them to the external editor of your choice. ## Encryption `jrnl` includes support for [AES encryption](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Encryption_Standard). See the [encryption page](./encryption.md) for more information. ## Import and Export `jrnl` makes it easy to import entries from other sources. Existing entries can be exported in a variety of [formats](./formats.md). ## Multi-Platform Support `jrnl` is compatible with most operating systems. You can [download](./installation.md) it using one of a variety of package managers, or you can build from source. ## Open-Source `jrnl` is written in [Python](https://www.python.org) and maintained by a [friendly community](https://github.com/jrnl-org/jrnl) of open-source software enthusiasts.