Sync Configuration

NoteCove syncs your notes through shared folders on your cloud storage provider.

How Sync Works

NoteCove uses a file-based synchronization model:

1. Local Storage: All notes are stored locally in SQLite
2. CRDT Updates: Changes are written as CRDT update files to a sync folder
3. Cloud Sync: Your cloud storage provider syncs these files across devices
4. Merge: Other devices read the updates and merge them conflict-free

Supported Cloud Storage

Dropbox

Setup:

1. Install Dropbox desktop app
2. Ensure Dropbox is syncing
3. In NoteCove: Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) → Storage Directories
4. Click “Add Storage Directory” and choose a folder inside your Dropbox folder

Recommended folder: ~/Dropbox/Apps/NoteCove/

Google Drive

Setup:

1. Install Google Drive desktop app (Drive File Stream or Backup and Sync)
2. Ensure Google Drive is syncing
3. In NoteCove: Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) → Storage Directories
4. Click “Add Storage Directory” and choose a folder inside your Google Drive folder

Recommended folder: ~/Google Drive/NoteCove/

iCloud Drive (macOS)

Setup:

1. Enable iCloud Drive in System Preferences
2. In NoteCove: Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) → Storage Directories
3. Click “Add Storage Directory” and choose a folder inside ~/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/

Recommended folder: ~/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/NoteCove/

Sync Folder Structure

Inside your sync folder, NoteCove creates:

sync-folder/
├── sync-data/           # Sync data directory
│   ├── SD-xxxxx/        # Individual sync data instances
│   │   ├── metadata.json
│   │   └── updates/     # CRDT update files
│   └── registry.json    # Registry of all sync data instances
└── .notecove/          # Configuration and metadata

Multi-Device Setup

Adding a Second Device

1. Install NoteCove on the second device
2. Install the same cloud storage app (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
3. Wait for the sync folder to sync from your first device
4. In NoteCove: Open Settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,) → Storage Directories
5. Click “Add Storage Directory” and choose the same sync folder as your first device

NoteCove will automatically detect existing sync data and download all notes.

Troubleshooting

Sync Not Working

Check:

1. Cloud storage app is running and syncing
2. Sync folder has read/write permissions
3. Internet connection is active
4. Check Tools → Advanced → Sync Status for diagnostics

Slow Sync

Optimize:

• Ensure cloud storage app isn’t rate-limited
• Check network bandwidth
• Check your cloud storage isn’t paused or quota-limited
• On iCloud drive, check that the sync folder has Keep Downloaded set byt right clicking or long pressing the folder and it will show if Keep Downloaded is on or off. On ensures quicker syncing

Reload Note from CRDT Logs

If a note isn’t syncing correctly, you can reload it from the CRDT logs:

1. Select the problematic note
2. Go to Tools → Advanced → Reload Note From CRDT Logs
3. NoteCove will rebuild the note state from the sync data

Advanced Configuration

Privacy & Security

Data Encryption

• NoteCove stores data locally unencrypted for performance
• Cloud sync relies on your cloud storage provider’s encryption
• Consider using full-disk encryption (FileVault, BitLocker)

Who Can Access Your Notes?

• You: Full access to all notes
• Cloud Provider: Can access files (use their encryption features)
• NoteCove: No access (no servers, no tracking, no telemetry)

Next Steps

• Learn keyboard shortcuts