Local-First Web: The Future of Application Development

At BaunTown, we believe the future of the web lies in local-first applications. These are applications that primarily run locally on users’ devices, store their data locally, and yet enable collaboration and synchronization between different devices and users.

Why Local-First?

Today’s web applications are largely based on a client-server architecture, where data is primarily stored on servers. This brings several disadvantages:

• Dependence on internet connection: No or limited functionality without internet
• Latency: Delays in user interactions due to network requests
• Data ownership: Users’ data is stored on company servers
• Privacy: Increased risk of data leaks and misuse
• Longevity: Applications can be shut down when companies change their strategy

Local-first applications solve these problems by:

1. Prioritizing offline functionality
2. Giving data sovereignty back to users
3. Providing immediate responsiveness
4. Ensuring longevity of data
5. Enabling real-time collaboration without central servers

The Technical Foundation

Our vision for local-first applications is based on several key technologies:

CRDTs (Conflict-free Replicated Data Types)

CRDTs are special data structures that allow data to be replicated and edited on multiple devices without requiring complex conflict resolution strategies. They form the foundation for real-time collaboration in local-first applications.

// Simplified example of a CRDT-based text editor
const doc = new YDoc();
const text = doc.getText('shared-text');

// Local changes
text.insert(0, 'Hello ');
text.insert(6, 'World');

// These changes can be synchronized with other devices
// without causing conflicts, even if the devices were offline

Web Storage APIs

Modern browsers offer powerful storage APIs like IndexedDB and FileSystem API, which allow large amounts of data to be stored locally and managed efficiently.

P2P Synchronization

For synchronization between devices, we rely on peer-to-peer technologies that allow data to be transferred directly between devices without requiring a central server.

Our Initiatives

At BaunTown, we’re working on several projects to realize this vision:

1. LocalStore

A database-agnostic framework for local data storage in web applications that provides a unified API for different storage backends and can be seamlessly integrated with CRDTs.

2. SyncProtocol

An open protocol for synchronizing data between different devices, supporting both P2P communication and server-based synchronization.

3. LocalKit

A UI component kit specifically designed for local-first applications, providing offline indicators, synchronization controls, and other important user interface elements.

Use Cases

Local-first applications are particularly well-suited for:

• Creative tools: Word processing, graphic design, audio editing
• Knowledge management systems: Note-taking apps, PKM tools, wikis
• Collaboration: Project management, document creation, chat
• Personal tools: Finance trackers, health apps, journals

Roadmap

Our roadmap for realizing this vision includes:

Phase 1: Foundations (2025-2026)

• Development of core libraries (LocalStore, SyncProtocol)
• Release of open-source reference implementations
• Creation of documentation and tutorials

Phase 2: Ecosystem (2026-2028)

• Building a community around local-first technologies
• Integration with popular frameworks (React, Vue, Svelte)
• Development of tools for easy creation of local-first applications

Phase 3: Mainstream Adoption (2028-2030)

• Collaboration with larger platforms and companies
• Standardization of protocols and APIs
• Extension to mobile platforms and desktop applications

Challenges and Solution Approaches

We are aware of the challenges associated with this vision:

Data Security

Local-first doesn’t mean that data is unprotected. We’re working on end-to-end encryption solutions that secure both local storage and synchronization.

Scalability

P2P networks face challenges with scaling. Our hybrid approach combines P2P communication with optional server components for larger use cases.

UX Complexity

The user interface for offline functionality and synchronization can be complex. Our LocalKit project aims to establish and standardize proven UX patterns.

Get Involved

We invite developers, designers, and visionaries to join this journey:

• Contribute to our open-source projects
• Experiment with local-first technologies in your own projects
• Share experiences and best practices with the community
• Provide feedback on our initiatives and roadmap

Together, we can build a web that puts users at the center, respects data ownership, and enables true collaboration without depending on centralized services.

Do you have ideas or feedback about this vision? We’d love to hear from you!