dumbnote-page

Getting Started with DumbNote

This guide will help you install DumbNote and create your first note in minutes.

Installation

Download DumbNote

  1. Visit the DumbNote releases page
  2. Download the appropriate version for your system:
    • macOS: .pkg installer (universal - works on Intel and Apple Silicon)
    • Windows: .exe installer
    • Linux: .AppImage or .deb file

Install on macOS

  1. Double-click the downloaded .pkg file
  2. Follow the installation wizard steps
  3. Enter your password when prompted (for system installation)
  4. DumbNote will be installed in your Applications folder
  5. Launch from Applications or Spotlight search

Install on Windows

  1. Run the downloaded .exe installer
  2. Follow the installation wizard
  3. DumbNote will create a desktop shortcut
  4. Launch from the Start menu or desktop

Install on Linux

AppImage (recommended):

chmod +x DumbNote-*.AppImage
./DumbNote-*.AppImage

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo dpkg -i dumbnote_*.deb

First Launch

When you first open DumbNote, you’ll see:

  1. Welcome Note - A sample note with basic tips
  2. Sidebar - Your notes list (left side)
  3. Editor - The main writing area (center)
  4. Preview Toggle - Switch between edit and preview modes

Creating Your First Note

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Press Cmd/Ctrl+N to create a new note instantly.

Method 2: Menu

Go to File → New Note

Method 3: Sidebar

Right-click in the sidebar and select “New Note”

Your new note will:

Basic Editing

Writing Markdown

Start typing! DumbNote supports full CommonMark syntax:

# This is a heading

This is a paragraph with **bold** and _italic_ text.

- This is a list item
- Another item
  - Nested item

1. Numbered list
2. Second item

Preview Your Note

Toggle preview mode with Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+V to see how your markdown renders.

Save Your Note

Notes auto-save every 5 seconds, but you can manually save with Cmd/Ctrl+S.

Rename Your Note

DumbNote automatically suggests filenames based on:

  1. Title in YAML frontmatter (highest priority)
  2. The first H1 heading (# Title)
  3. The first line of text
  4. Falls back to “Untitled” if empty

Example with frontmatter title:

---
title: My Custom Title
---
# This heading won't be used as the title

To manually rename:

Understanding the Interface

Editor (Center)

Toolbar (Top)

Essential Features to Try

1. Smart Lists

Type - and press Enter to continue lists automatically:

- First item [Enter]
- Second item (auto-added dash)
  - Tab to indent [Enter]
  - Another nested item

2. Checkboxes

Create interactive task lists:

- [ ] Unfinished task
- [x] Completed task

Click checkboxes in preview mode to toggle!

3. Quick Date

Type @today and it expands to current date/time:

4. Emoji Picker

Type :: to open the emoji picker:

  1. Type ::
  2. Start typing emoji name
  3. Use arrows to select
  4. Press Enter to insert

Customizing Your Experience

Change Theme

  1. Go to theme selector (top-right)
  2. Choose from built-in themes:
    • Dark themes: Default, Monokai, Nord, etc.
    • Light themes: Clean, Paper, Solarized, etc.

Adjust Font Size

Toggle Sidebar

Hide the sidebar for distraction-free writing:

Try Typewriter Mode

Keep your cursor centered on screen:

Your Notes Folder

To quickly access your notes folder, use File → Go to Notes Folder. This opens your notes directory in your system’s file manager.

DumbNote organizes your files as:

Next Steps

Now that you’ve created your first note, explore these features:

  1. Learn Markdown - Master markdown syntax
  2. Keyboard Shortcuts - Work faster
  3. Tags, Favorites & Hub View - Organize your notes
  4. GitHub Sync - Backup your notes

Tips for New Users

💡 Pro Tips

  1. Auto-save is always on - No need to worry about losing work
  2. Markdown preview - Use Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+V frequently
  3. Multiple windows - Open notes in separate windows
  4. Quick search - Cmd/Ctrl+F works everywhere

⚡ Performance Tips

  1. Fast startup - Pin DumbNote to your dock/taskbar
  2. Quick notes - Use Cmd/Ctrl+N for instant new notes
  3. Efficient search - Search indexes automatically

🎯 Best Practices

  1. Use headings - Organize with # headers
  2. Link notes - Type [[ to link between notes
  3. Tag everything - Add tags in frontmatter
  4. Regular backups - Use export or GitHub sync

Getting Help

In-App Help

Online Resources

Keyboard Help

Not sure about a shortcut? Check our complete Keyboard Shortcuts guide.

Ready to explore more? Continue to Editor Features →