Getting Started
This guide helps you take your first steps with OwnSpace.
Creating Your First Note
- Open the app — you will see the Inbox view by default
- Click the + button in the top bar, or press
Ctrl+Alt+N/Cmd+Alt+N - Enter a file name (without
.md) and press Enter - Start typing your note — use Markdown for formatting
Tip: Press
Ctrl+E/Cmd+Eto switch to the WYSIWYG editor for rich text editing.
Understanding the Layout
The interface has three main areas:
| Area | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Left sidebar | Navigate between PARA sections and workspace items |
| Center | Browse files and view/edit notes |
| Right panel | Context information: file metadata, tags, backlinks |
PARA Structure Explained
OwnSpace uses the PARA methodology to organize your knowledge:
- Projects — active tasks with a deadline
- Areas — ongoing responsibilities without an end date
- Resources — reference material and topics of interest
- Archive — completed projects and inactive items
New notes land in Inbox by default. Move them to the appropriate section later.
Search and Navigation
- Press
Ctrl+K/Cmd+Kto open quick search - Type keywords to find notes by title, content, or tags
- Click a result to open the note in the viewer
Favorites
Click the star icon on any note to add it to Favorites for quick access. Access favorites from the sidebar.
Next Steps
- Explore the PARA methodology to organize your notes effectively
- Set up cloud sync to back up your data
- Learn Markdown syntax for richer notes