At a Glance:
Docs by La Suite is an open-source collaborative text editor that supports real-time editing, knowledge organization, and self-hosting, offering import/export to .docx and .md as a transparent alternative to tools like Notion or Google Docs.
Overview:
Docs is an open-source collaborative text editor designed for teams that need to write, organize, and share knowledge in real time. The project emphasizes live multi-user editing with visible cursors, a block-based document structure, and granular sharing controls. It supports rich-text and Markdown editing with optional AI writing helpers for tasks like rewriting or translation. Content can be organized through subpages and searched across documents. Docs is built for public organizations, companies, and open communities, and can be self-hosted using Kubernetes or Docker Compose. The project is a joint initiative led by the French and German governments.
Key Decision Points:
Self-hosted collaboration platform: Docs can be deployed on your own infrastructure using Kubernetes or Docker Compose, giving operators control over data and access.
Real-time editing focus: The editor supports live cursors, presence, and commenting, making it suitable for teams that need synchronous document collaboration.
MIT-licensed core with optional GPL features: Some features such as PDF export depend on GPL-licensed packages; a build flag exists to produce a fully MIT-compatible image without them.
Government-driven but community-oriented: The project is maintained through a joint French and German government initiative and is actively open to public partners and contributors.
Core Features:
Rich-text and Markdown editing: Documents can be composed using a rich-text interface, Markdown input, slash commands, and a block system.
Real-time collaboration: Multiple users can edit the same document simultaneously with live cursor visibility and commenting.
Granular access control: Sharing and permissions can be configured to control who can view or edit documents.
Subpages and search: Documents support a hierarchy of subpages, and all content is searchable.
Import and export: Documents can be imported from
.docxand.mdfiles, and exported to.docx,.odt, and.pdfformats.Optional AI writing helpers: Built-in assistants can rewrite, summarize, translate, and fix typos in text.
Use Cases:
Public sector teams that require a self-hosted collaborative writing environment with data control.
Open communities looking for a real-time document editor that can be deployed on their own infrastructure.
Companies evaluating open-source alternatives to Notion or Google Docs for internal knowledge bases.
Open-Source Alternative Value:
Docs provides a self-hosted collaborative editing experience that organizations can run on their own infrastructure, addressing data ownership requirements without depending on closed SaaS platforms. Its import and export capabilities for formats like .docx, .odt, and .md reduce the risk of content lock-in. The codebase is available under the MIT License, with a clear option to exclude GPL-licensed components during the build process. The project’s backing by European government entities further signals a commitment to public-sector transparency and long-term community stewardship.
