Noughtpad

User guide

Common problems

"Noughtpad can't be opened" on a Mac

During the beta, macOS asks you to confirm Noughtpad once, the first time you open it. Here’s how. It takes a few seconds and this step goes away after the beta.

"Windows protected your PC"

Click More info, then Run anyway. You’ll only see this during the beta.

The first start after an update is slow (Mac)

After installing an update, Noughtpad may show “Opening your notes…” for several seconds (about 6 seconds has been seen). The next start is quick again, under half a second.

Why: macOS protects the Documents, Desktop and Downloads folders, and iCloud Drive. Until Noughtpad is notarised, macOS treats each updated version as a new app and checks it again the first time it reads from one of those folders.

What you can do:

  • Nothing. It only happens once per update.
  • Or keep your notes outside those folders, for example in a folder called Noughtpad in your home folder. Quit Noughtpad, move the folder, then choose it in Settings → Notes folder → Switch….

This goes away after the beta.

Sync says "Signed out"

During the beta, Google ends each sign-in after 7 days. Open Settings → Sync and click Sign in with Google… again. Nothing is lost while you’re signed out; sync catches up once you’re back.

If Google says you don’t have access, sync is open by invitation during the beta. Ask for an invitation through the contact form.

A note appeared twice after syncing

When the same lines of a note were changed on two computers before they synced, Noughtpad keeps both versions: one in the note and one as a separate copy next to it. Settings → Sync tells you when this happens. Open both, keep what you want, and delete the copy.

Related notes, search by meaning or Ideas over time show nothing

  • Check they’re turned on: Settings → Finding connections.
  • Ideas over time needs at least eight notes, and a thread needs three or more notes written on at least two different days.
  • Related notes only shows notes it’s fairly sure about. Short notes on unrelated topics are left out on purpose.

The chat model won't load

Models on your computer need free graphics memory. Other apps that run models, such as Ollama or LM Studio, often keep one loaded. Quit them, or unload their model, and try again. On a computer with 8 GB of memory or less, try the smaller Qwen3 1.7B on the Models page.

Open Settings and click Rebuild next to Rebuild the search index. Your notes aren’t touched.

Quick capture (⌘⇧Space) doesn't work

Noughtpad needs to be running. On a Mac, closing the window keeps it running, but quitting (⌘Q) stops it. Turn on Settings → Start-up → Open at login to have it ready whenever you log in. Another app may also be using the same shortcut.

Still stuck?

Write to us through the contact form. It helps to say which computer you use, your Noughtpad version (in Settings → Updates) and what you were doing when it happened.