Trace v0.1.0-alpha.2

Second alpha: a rewritten graph and a completely new interface. This is an alpha, so expect bugs, and the data format may still change.

What's new

Graph

• New layout engine. A ForceAtlas2-style force-directed layout with Barnes–Hut optimization. Connected entities cluster around hubs, loose components stay near the main network, and nodes never overlap. Tested on graphs of about 1,000 nodes. Tree, radial and grid layouts are still available.
• Stable layouts. New entities appear next to their neighbours, and existing nodes don't move.
• Readable at any scale. Small muted nodes coloured by entity type, thin low-contrast edges, and labels that appear by importance as you zoom in. Selecting a node dims the rest of the graph.
• Verification is visible on the graph. Confirmed and supported links are solid; unverified, candidate and rejected links are dashed or dotted and fainter.
• Tools. Multi-select, shortest path between two nodes, collapse leaf entities into collections, size nodes by connections, filter by type and status, find in graph.
• Entity palette. Drag an entity type onto the canvas to create it in place.
• Shortcuts. / find, F fit view, L re-run layout, N new entity, C connect mode.

Interface

• Full redesign. Dark neutral palette with a single teal accent, compact controls and one shared component system.
• New window structure:
  • title bar with the investigation switcher, tabs and command palette (⌘K)
  • narrow icon rail on the left
  • Explorer with Entities / Links / Sources / Notes / Tools tabs and a filter, entities grouped by type
  • Inspector with Properties / Relationships / Evidence / Notes / Transforms sections
  • status bar at the bottom
• Case brief. The project.md working document alongside case statistics and the most connected entities.
• Closing tabs. You can now close the last tab; a quick-start menu appears instead.
• Settings dialog rewritten: even row grid, wider.
• Esc closes every dialog.

Builds and platform

• Platforms: macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel separately), Windows x64, Linux x64.
• Build hash is generated automatically on every Electron build. The web version has none.
• Window: the spacer for window controls exists only in Electron, and the macOS traffic lights are aligned with the title bar.

Fixed

• The entity palette button and the resize line no longer show through open menus.
• Removed the "Ready" indicator, since no other state existed.
• Not all graph toolbar buttons fit: it now compacts progressively with window width.
• The graph search field and "Go to anything" are wider.
• Replaced the sparkle icon with another one, and the star with a bookmark.

Downloads

Platform	File
macOS (Apple Silicon)	Trace-0.1.0-alpha.2-mac-arm64.dmg / .zip
macOS (Intel)	Trace-0.1.0-alpha.2-mac-x64.dmg / .zip
Windows x64	Trace-0.1.0-alpha.2-win-x64.exe / .zip
Linux x64	Trace-0.1.0-alpha.2-linux-x86_64.AppImage / Trace-0.1.0-alpha.2-linux-x64.tar.gz

Known limitations

• Builds are not code-signed (macOS uses an ad-hoc signature only), so your OS will warn on first launch. On macOS: right-click → Open.
• Builds haven't been tested on real machines, in particular Windows and Linux.
• The "Interactive Repulsion Physics" and "Glow on hover" settings are saved but the graph doesn't use them yet.
• Saved node positions in older cases are kept until you click "Re-run layout".

Trace v0.1.0-alpha.1

Trace v0.1.0-alpha.1

Trace is a local-first OSINT investigation and knowledge management tool for organizing entities, documenting findings, and exploring relationships through an interactive graph.

What's included

• Organize investigations into separate projects.
• Create and manage entities and their relationships.
• Keep investigation notes and supporting information in one place.
• Explore connections through a visual graph.
• Work with your investigation data locally.

Early access

This is the first public alpha release of Trace. The application is still under active development, so bugs, incomplete features, and breaking changes are expected.

Feedback and bug reports are welcome through [GitHub Issues].