Setting Up Cloud Sync in OmniCanvas: Access Your Notes Everywhere

Why Cloud Sync?

OmniCanvas works great offline — your notes are saved locally and available without an internet connection. But cloud sync adds an important layer: access your notes from any device and keep them backed up on the server.

With sync enabled, notes you create on your Mac desktop app are available on the web app from any browser. Changes you make on one device appear on the other after syncing.

Setting Up Your Account

Creating an Account

1. Open OmniCanvas (desktop app or web app).
2. On the auth screen, enter your email and password.
3. Click "Sign Up" to create your account.
4. You are now logged in and sync is available.

If you have been using OmniCanvas without an account, your existing local notes are preserved. After signing up, use the Sync button to push them to the cloud.

Skipping Account Creation

You can skip account creation and use OmniCanvas entirely offline. Click "Skip" on the auth screen to go straight to the app. You can always create an account later from the Settings panel.

How Syncing Works

Push and Pull

OmniCanvas sync uses a push/pull model:

• Push sends your local notes to the server. Any notes you created or modified locally are uploaded.
• Pull downloads notes from the server. Any notes that were modified on another device are downloaded to your current device.

When you sync, both push and pull happen together.

Automatic Sync on Login

When you log in, OmniCanvas automatically syncs — pulling down any notes from the server that you do not have locally, and pushing up any local notes that the server does not have.

Manual Sync

After the initial sync, use the "Sync Now" button in Settings to trigger a manual sync at any time. This is useful after making changes that you want to appear on another device immediately.

Conflict Resolution

If the same note was modified on two different devices, the version with the most recent modification date wins. The other version is overwritten. For this reason, avoid editing the same note on two devices simultaneously without syncing in between.

Accessing Notes on Different Devices

Desktop App (Mac)

The desktop app is the primary OmniCanvas experience. It runs as a native macOS app with full offline support. Notes are saved to local storage and synced to the cloud when you have an internet connection.

Web App

Open the web app in any browser to access your synced notes. This works on any device — Windows, Linux, tablets, or even your phone. The web app has the same features as the desktop app.

Workflow: Desktop + Web

A common workflow:

1. Use the desktop app on your Mac for daily notetaking — it is fast and works offline.
2. When you are away from your Mac, open the web app on your phone or another computer to reference or quickly edit notes.
3. Sync before switching devices to make sure everything is up to date.

Settings and Account Management

The Settings panel (accessible from the sidebar) shows your sync status:

• Your email — Confirms which account you are logged into.
• Sync status — Shows when the last sync occurred.
• Sync Now button — Triggers a manual sync.
• Sign Out — Logs you out of your account. Your local notes remain on the device.

Tips for Reliable Sync

Sync Before Switching Devices

Before closing OmniCanvas on one device and opening it on another, hit "Sync Now" to make sure your latest changes are uploaded. Then sync again on the new device to pull them down.

Sync After Important Changes

After creating important notes or making significant edits, sync immediately. This ensures your work is backed up on the server even if something happens to your local device.

Don't Edit the Same Note on Two Devices

If you edit a note on your Mac and then edit the same note on the web before syncing, one version will overwrite the other. Sync between edits to avoid losing changes.

Check Your Connection

Sync requires an internet connection. If you are working offline, your changes are saved locally and will sync the next time you are online and trigger a sync.

Cloud sync turns OmniCanvas from a single-device app into a cross-device knowledge system. Set it up once, sync regularly, and your notes are always available wherever you need them.