The Future of Personal Computing
Your Data Lives Here
Welcome to the Local First movement. Where your apps work offline, your data stays private, and you're never locked out of what's yours.
What is Local First?
A simple idea that changes everything about how software works for you.
Data on Your Device
Your notes, documents, and files live on your phone or computer first. Not on someone else's server. You have the original copy.
Works Offline
No wifi? No problem. Local First apps work without internet. Edit your documents on a plane, in the subway, anywhere. Sync when you're ready.
Private by Design
When your data doesn't leave your device, there's nothing to hack on a server. Privacy isn't a feature—it's the foundation.
The Web 2.0 Problem
Today, most apps work backwards. Your data lives on company servers first. When the company shuts down, raises prices, or gets hacked—your data is at risk.
Service Shutdowns
Google killed 290+ products. Your data went with them.
Data Breaches
Billions of records exposed. Names, emails, passwords.
Account Lockouts
Automated systems lock you out. No human to appeal to.
Vendor Lock-in
Switching costs keep you trapped. Your data is hostage.
The Missing Piece
Self-Sovereign Identity
Your data is local. But who are you online? SSI completes the picture.
What is SSI?
Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) means you control your digital identity—not Facebook, not Google, not your government. You hold cryptographic keys that prove who you are.
→ DIDs (Decentralized Identifiers): Unique IDs you create and control
→ Verifiable Credentials: Digital proofs (like a diploma) that can't be faked
→ Selective Disclosure: Prove you're over 21 without revealing your birthdate
Why It Matters for Local First
Local First gives you control of your data. SSI gives you control of your identity. Together, they're the foundation of a truly sovereign digital life.
The Vision:
Imagine signing into any app with your own identity—no passwords, no tracking, no company owning your login. Your local data syncs between your devices, encrypted with keys only you hold.
Beyond Web 2.0
The Sovereign Web
A new architecture for the internet—private by design, owned by users, resilient against corporate failure.
Data Layer
Local First storage with CRDTs for conflict-free sync. Your data, multiple devices, no server required.
Identity Layer
DIDs and Verifiable Credentials. Prove things about yourself without revealing everything.
Trust Layer
Peer-to-peer connections, end-to-end encryption, and reputation without central authorities.
Dive Deeper
Explore the ecosystem building the sovereign web.
Organizations
Key Players & Pioneers
Meet the foundations, companies, and communities building Local First and SSI. From Ink & Switch to the DIF—the people making it happen.
Explore organizations →
Technology
Tools & Projects
A comprehensive catalog of Local First databases, SSI frameworks, sync engines, and developer tools. Everything you need to build.
Browse technology →
Use Cases
Post-Web2 Ecosystems
Five transformative ecosystems that become possible when data is local and identity is sovereign. From health records to decentralized social.
See use cases →
Ready to build?
Start with our technology guide or explore real-world implementations.
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Part of the Local First Web movement