Getting Started with DaVinci Notes

DaVinci Notes is a fast, private note app. Your notes are stored as normal text files on your own computer, meaning you own your data forever.

What is DaVinci Notes?

Unlike apps that lock your notes inside their cloud servers, DaVinci Notes works right on your computer. You choose a regular folder, and all your notes are saved as plain text markdown files (.md). If you ever stop using the app, all your notes remain readable in any text editor.

flowchart LR
    Folder["📁 Your Normal Folder on Your Computer"] --> App["✨ DaVinci Notes App"]
    App --> Write["✍️ Write Notes with [[Links]]"]
    App --> Canvas["🎨 Whiteboard on Visual Canvas"]
    App --> Mobile["📱 Direct Sync to Phone"]

How DaVinci Notes works with your notes

3-Step Quick Start

Choose a folder on your computer

When you open the app, click Open Folder. Select where you'd like your notes to live (for example, your Documents/Notes folder).

Create a note

Press Cmd+N (or Ctrl+N on Windows) to create a new note. Start typing your thoughts immediately.

Link your notes together

Whenever you mention another topic or person, type two brackets like [[Ideas]]. DaVinci connects the notes automatically!

How Your Notes are Stored

Everything is kept simple. Inside your folder, your notes look like standard files:

Your Notes Folder

My Notes/
├── Daily Ideas.md          # A standard text note
├── Project Roadmap.md      # Another note linked to Daily Ideas
├── brainstorm.canvas       # A visual whiteboard board
└── attachments/            # Photos and files you paste in

Always Works Offline Because all notes are on your device, the app works 100% offline. You never need an internet connection to write, search, or read your thoughts.

Essential Shortcuts

Shortcut	What it does
`Cmd + N` / `Ctrl + N`	Create a new note
`Cmd + K` / `Ctrl + K`	Quick search — jump to any note instantly
`[[`	Link to another note
`/`	Insert menu (headings, lists, tables, images)