Getting Started with TreeNotes

1. Create Your First Note

Click the "+ Note" button in the sidebar, or press Ctrl+Alt+N. Give your note a name and start typing!

Tip: Your changes are automatically saved as you type. No need to worry about losing your work!

2. Create Your First Folder

Click the "Folder" button in the sidebar, or press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+N. Folders help you organize related notes together.

Try it: Create a folder, then create a note inside it. Notice how the tree structure grows!

3. Organize with Drag & Drop

Click and drag any note or folder in the sidebar to reorganize your structure. Drop it into a folder to nest it, or move it to a different position.

Pro tip: Don't worry about perfect organization at first. You can always reorganize later!

4. Basic Editing Tips

The formatting toolbar at the top of the editor gives you quick access to:

• Text formatting: Bold, italic, underline, strikethrough
• Headings: Use H1, H2, H3 for document structure
• Lists: Bullet lists, numbered lists, and checklists
• More: Links, images, tables, code blocks, and quotes

Try it yourself: Select some text and use the formatting toolbar to see all the options.

📁 Hierarchical Organization

Build a structure that matches how you think. Create folders within folders, nest notes anywhere, and reorganize with simple drag-and-drop. Your workspace grows organically as your ideas develop.

✏️ Rich Text Editing

Format your notes exactly how you want with a powerful rich text editor:

• Bold, italic, and underlined text
• Headings (H1, H2, H3) for structure
• Bullet lists, numbered lists, and checklists
• Tables for organized data
• Links, images, code blocks, and quotes

💾 Auto-Save

Your changes are automatically saved as you type. No need to remember to save — TreeNotes takes care of it for you. You can see the "Auto-save enabled" indicator in the top bar.

📎 File Attachments

Upload documents, images, or any supporting files directly to your notes. Keep everything in one place — your notes and related files together.

👥 Sharing & Collaboration

Share folders or individual notes with other TreeNotes users. Create anonymous links with optional passwords and expiration dates for secure sharing.

Try it: Click the "Share" button in the toolbar to see sharing options.

🔒 End-to-End Encryption

Your data is encrypted before it leaves your device. Only you can read your notes. Privacy isn't optional here — it's built in. We can't access or read your encrypted content.

🔄 Real-time Sync

Your notes automatically sync across all your devices. Start on your computer, continue on your phone — everything stays in sync seamlessly.

Folder Structure Best Practices

• Group by project or topic: Create folders for major projects, areas of interest, or time periods
• Keep it shallow: Avoid nesting folders too deeply (2-3 levels is usually enough)
• Use descriptive names: Make folder names clear and specific
• Review regularly: Periodically reorganize to keep your structure clean

Naming Conventions

Consistent naming makes it easier to find things:

• Use clear, descriptive names for notes and folders
• Consider adding dates to time-sensitive notes (e.g., "Meeting Notes - 2024-01-15")
• Use consistent formats for similar types of notes
• Don't be afraid to rename things as your understanding evolves

Search Tips

Don't worry about perfect organization — search is your friend:

• Press Ctrl+K to open the command palette and search
• Search works across all your notes, not just titles
• Use Ctrl+F to search within the current note
• Search is fast and powerful — use it liberally!

How to Structure Your Workspace

There's no one "right" way to organize, but here are some common approaches:

• By project: Create a folder for each major project
• By area: Organize by life areas (Work, Personal, Learning, etc.)
• By time: Use folders for years, months, or quarters
• Hybrid: Combine approaches — use what works for you!

When to Use Folders vs. Notes

• Use folders to group related notes together (projects, topics, categories)
• Use notes for actual content — documents, ideas, meeting notes, etc.
• Long notes can be broken into multiple notes if they get unwieldy
• Short notes can stay as-is — don't overthink it!

Using Templates

Templates help you maintain consistency and save time:

• Check out the Templates folder in your welcome tree
• Copy a template note when you need a similar structure
• Create your own templates for recurring note types
• Use templates for meeting notes, project plans, journals, and more

Collaboration Tips

• Share folders (not just individual notes) for better organization
• Use clear naming so collaborators can find things easily
• Create shared folders for team projects or family planning
• Use anonymous links for sharing with people who don't have TreeNotes accounts