Most apps try to do everything at once, but we believe the best results come from using the right tool for the right task. We’d like to show you how Bear, our note-taking app, and MindNode, a mind-mapping app, can work together to help you think more clearly and get more done.
The Bear team’s mind-mapping choice: MindNode
MindNode is an intuitive mind-mapping tool that makes it easy to brainstorm and organize ideas visually. Many of us on the Bear team use it daily, whether it’s for sparking new ideas or shaping outlines before diving into the details. What we love most is how powerful it is without ever feeling complicated. It lets us capture what’s on our minds without slowing us down.
Why Use Bear and MindNode Together?
As an indie team ourselves, we naturally admire other indie apps, but that’s not the only reason we pair Bear with MindNode. They complement each other in ways that make our work faster, clearer, and more enjoyable.
- Seamless workflow: Both apps are native apps and support tags, links, and Markdown, so moving notes and ideas back and forth feels seamless. Formatting stays intact, and your work remains tidy without extra cleanup.
- Big pictures and details: MindNode helps you map out the forest; Bear lets you focus on the trees. Together, they let you think at both the macro and micro level so nothing gets lost.
- Work anywhere: Because both apps run on iOS and macOS with reliable syncing, your projects follow you across devices, ready whenever inspiration strikes.
How to Use Bear and MindNode Together
Whether you’re new to Bear, new to MindNode, or just getting started with both, here are three simple ways to get more out of them when you use them together.
1️⃣ Brainstorm in MindNode, refine in Bear
Start by sketching your ideas or outlining a project in MindNode. Once you’re ready, export the mind map as Markdown and bring it into Bear to expand on the details.
The structure carries over seamlessly: nodes become headings, while todos, links, tags, and quick notes all appear neatly in your Bear note. From there, you can dive in and flesh out each section until your project is complete.
Use Case: If you’re a student writing a thesis, you might use MindNode to brainstorm ideas and map out the main sections. Then switch to Bear to turn each point into a polished chapter or argument.
And to make things even smoother, we built a Mac Shortcut that imports MindNode file straight into Bear and opens it for you. Give it a try!
2️⃣ Link Bear notes in MindNode for reference
Sometimes MindNode is where most of your planning happens, but you still want to pull in details you’ve already saved in Bear. With Bear’s x-callback-url support, it’s easy: just use the/open note action to link directly to your Bear notes from within MindNode. That way, all your references and key info are only a click away.
Use case: For travelers, you can map out your itinerary in MindNode, then link to Bear notes that hold your packing list, booking details, or sightseeing research.
3️⃣ Import a Bear note into MindNode for a visual overview
Bear’s Table of Contents makes it easy to jump between sections, but sometimes you need to step back and see your writing as a whole. By exporting a note as Markdown and importing it into MindNode, you can instantly turn your text into a structured, visual map.
Use case: Say you’ve drafted a marketing campaign in Bear and now need to turn it into a presentation to show your team. Importing the note into MindNode gives you a bird’s-eye view of your draft, making it easier to reorganize points, highlight key messages, and shape a presentation that flows naturally.
Better together
When you combine Bear and MindNode, you get to see the big picture and then bring it to life in writing. MindNode helps you map your thoughts, while Bear gives you a focused space to turn them into polished notes, drafts, or plans.
Give it a spin and let us know how Bear and MindNode fit into your workflow, reach out to us on our Community Forum, Reddit, X(Twitter), Bluesky, or directly at bear@shinyfrog.net to tell us what you think!
Happy writing!
🐻❤️🌿