Noughtpad

User guide

Install and write your first note

This page takes you from nothing to your first saved note. It takes about five minutes.

1. Download

Go to the download page and get the file for your computer:

  • Mac (Apple Silicon, M1 or later): the file ending in .dmg.
  • Windows: the file ending in setup.exe.
  • Linux: the .AppImage, .deb or .rpm.

2. Install

Mac. Open the .dmg and drag Noughtpad into your Applications folder, then open it from there.

Opening it on a Mac the first time

While Noughtpad is in beta, Apple hasn’t notarised it yet, so macOS asks you to confirm it once. This step goes away after the beta.

  1. Click Done on the message that appears.
  2. Open System Settings, then Privacy & Security.
  3. Scroll down to Security and click Open Anyway next to the line about Noughtpad.
  4. Enter your password if asked, and click Open Anyway again.

You only do this once. Updates from inside the app open straight away.

Windows. Run the installer. During the beta, Windows may show a blue “Windows protected your PC” box. Click More info, then Run anyway.

Linux. Make the AppImage executable and open it, or install the .deb or .rpm package.

3. Choose where your notes live

The first time Noughtpad opens, it asks where to keep your notes. You have two choices:

  • Start in Documents/Noughtpad. A new folder called Noughtpad in your Documents folder.
  • Choose another folder. Any folder you like. It can be empty, or it can already hold Markdown files, such as an Obsidian vault.

Tip for Mac users. If you keep your notes outside Documents, Desktop, Downloads and iCloud Drive (for example in a folder called Noughtpad in your home folder), Noughtpad starts faster after each update. Why

You can switch folders later in Settings → Notes folder.

4. Write

You’ll see an empty page with a blinking cursor. Start typing. That’s it: there’s no Save button, because every change is saved as you go.

A few things to try:

  • Type # at the start of a line to make a heading.
  • Type - [ ] to make a checkbox.
  • Press ⌘N (Ctrl+N on Windows and Linux) to start another note.
  • Move the pointer to the left edge of the window to see the sidebar, with All notes, Journal, Ideas over time and Chat.

5. Capture from anywhere

Press ⌘⇧Space (Ctrl+Shift+Space on Windows and Linux) while you’re in any other app. Noughtpad comes to the front on a new, empty note.

On a Mac, closing the window doesn’t quit Noughtpad; it keeps running in the background so this shortcut is instant. Use ⌘Q to quit. If you’d like it ready every time you start your computer, turn on Settings → Start-up → Open at login.

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