A visual reference manager with a supported Linux desktop build.
Organize image and video references with a searchable library, canvas, and relationship views on Linux. Check the download page for available packages and platform limits.
refern provides a local image and video library and an editable canvas on Linux. Use tags and search to choose references, then arrange them on a board. The current Linux interface does not offer the window transparency and click-through controls available on Windows and macOS.
Good fit when
You collect visual references on a Linux workstation.
You need a searchable library and spatial canvas together.
Consider another tool when
You require window transparency, click-through, or a package not offered on the download page.
You need cloud collaboration or native previews for broad 3D formats.
Verified product facts
Desktop platforms
Desktop builds are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Product scope
refern is a desktop app for your art references. Find files in a library, place them on a canvas, and see how they connect in a graph.
Format boundary
Images, including AVIF, and videos receive native handling. PDFs can be enabled for a first-page preview and native viewer; most other optional formats are generic, name-searchable entries.
Browser capture
The browser extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Before you download.
Everything you might want to know, answered.
Yes. $35 once, updates included, and no subscription. Try the whole app free for 30 days before you pay.
Your files and data stay in their folders on your disk. You can still get to them. After 30 days, you need to buy a license to keep using refern.
When you add a folder, refern reads the files where they are. It does not move them or make extra copies. Imports can add files. For example, Eagle import copies each file once. If it belongs in more than one folder, refern uses links to that copy.
Yes. Copy files or drag them into another app or a folder. You get the original files. You can also open a file in your usual app or choose a different app.
Yes. Open Settings, then Import. Eagle imports keep your folders, tags, ratings, and source links. Files can still appear in more than one folder. Only file types allowed in your workspace are brought in. PureRef 2.x boards become canvases you can edit. Allusion imports keep your tags. Your old libraries stay as they are.
Yes. Open Settings > Import and paste full public board links. Each board goes into a separate folder. You can queue several boards, follow progress, and review or resume previous imports. Private boards and links to individual pins, profiles, or sections are not supported. Some pins may not transfer; check the import report.
No. You can download Auto Tagger models to suggest tags and read text in images. They run on your device and can use your graphics chip. You can also set up Search by meaning to find images without adding general tags. To add your own tags, hover over an image and press T for Quick Tags.
No. Images and videos are on by default. You can turn on PDFs, design files, 3D files, fonts, archives, code, or all file types. You can preview PDF pages and open them in refern. AVIF previews keep clear backgrounds. Files that cannot be previewed show an icon for their file type.
You do not need an account to use the desktop app. You can browse, search, make boards, view files, and practice offline. Your library stays on your device. You need the internet to activate a license, check for updates or trial time, download optional models, send feedback, or save images from the web.
Three, on any mix of Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Try the whole app free for 30 days, with no card needed. Since you can try it first, purchases are final. A refund may still be possible in limited cases if you email within 5 days of buying. See the refund terms you agree to before using the app.