FAQ

What platforms does Firefly support?

Right now, Firefly is available for Windows, Linux, and Android.

Is there a mobile app?

Yes. An Android APK is available for download!

Will Firefly be available for iOS and macOS?

Yes... eventually. We'd love to support both. However, Apple makes everything more difficult than it needs to be for developers, so it's on hold for now.

Will there be a web version?

Probably, yeah. It's not the priority right now, but we know it matters. Once the desktop builds are solid, we'll look into it.

Where is my data stored?

Locally. Everything stays on your device. No cloud, no servers, no third-party storage. It's yours.

Does it work offline?

Yep. Firefly works entirely offline. No internet required, except for updates of course.

Can I sync notes across devices?

Since all your notes are just files, you can store them in a cloud service like Dropbox or OneDrive to sync across devices. We do have plans for a dedicated sync service, but it'll take time to get it right.

Can I encrypt my notes?

Yes. You can encrypt your folders or files with a password. Just be careful, because if you forget the password, the content can't be recovered.

What are workspaces?

Workspaces are the main containers that Firefly uses to help you manage your notes. At the end of the day, they are just folders on your device.

You can use them to separate things like work projects, personal journals, study notes, meme vaults, or even random idea dumps. They're a simple way to keep different parts of your life from mixing together.

What are notestreams?

A notestream is a chat-like note format we specifically designed for capturing thoughts or ideas quickly and smoothly. It works like a chat with yourself, where every message is a note in a running stream. It’s fast, simple, and perfect for journaling, brainstorming, or just dumping whatever’s on your mind.

Under the hood, notestreams are stored on your device as human-readable JSON files. JSON is a plain-text file format that can be opened with most text editors.

Does Firefly support images or video?

Sure does. Firefly supports most standard image and video formats (PNGs, JPGs, WEBMs, GIFs, MP4s, MOVs).

Does Firefly have a search function?

Yes. Firefly has a basic keyword search that lets you quickly find notes by text. It's simple, but it gets the job done.

Can I tag my notes?

Yes. You can add tags to your notes to help organize and find them later. Tags work across your whole workspace.

Can I link between my notes (internal-linking)?

Not yet, but it's on the way. We know it's important, and it's on our roadmap.

Can I customize the theme?

Yes, but it's still experimental. You can tweak colors and appearance, but expect some rough edges. More polish is coming.

How can I import or export notes?

Firefly stores everything as plain files on your device, so importing and exporting is as simple as copy-pasting folders. You can move your notes wherever you want. No proprietary formats or lock-in.

Will there be a graph view?

Probably not. We think graph views look cool but don't add much value for most people. We'd rather focus on features that help you think and write better. We're open to the idea though!

How is this different from Notion?

Notion is great for collaborative teams who need something cloud-based. Firefly is different because it focuses on being fast, intuitive, and private. Your notes are just plain-text files on your device, so you're not locked into using Firefly and you don't need an account or an internet connection.

How is this different from Obsidian?

We seriously love Obsidian. It's an amazing tool and a huge inspiration. Firefly takes a different approach to note-taking by being more focused on capturing thoughts than curating a digital brain. If you're looking for something more streamlined, Firefly might feel like a better fit.

Is there a community forum?

We hang out on Discord. It's the best place to ask questions, share ideas, report bugs, or just lurk and see what others are up to. discord.gg/vGem6A2deH

Are there community plugins?

No, we're keeping things simple for now, but we're open to it down the line if it makes sense.

Where can we find developer updates?

If you want to stay in the loop, our Discord server is the best place to be. We post updates, share progress, and talk openly about what we're working on.

How is it free?

Firefly is a passion project, not a VC-funded startup. We will build new products and services later to support development, but the Firefly app will always be free without limits.

How will you monetize?

We have plans for a dedicated sync service called Firefly Sync. Our hope is that you'll love Firefly enough to support it by using this optional service. That said, we won't stop you from syncing your notes with other tools if that's what works better for you.

What is Firefly Sync?

Firefly Sync is our upcoming optional sync service that'll help us keep the lights on. It'll be simple, fast, and end-to-end encrypted for maximum privacy.

Will I need an account for Firefly Sync?

Yes, you'll need an account to use Firefly Sync. It'll be the only part of Firefly that requires one, and it's just for managing your sync setup.

Will Firefly Sync be a paid service?

Yes. Firefly Sync will be a paid service and it is how we plan on supporting ongoing development. It will be a fully optional convenience service.

Will Firefly Sync be end-to-end encrypted?

Definitely. Firefly Sync will use end-to-end encryption, so only you can access your notes. We won't be able to read your data even if we wanted to.

What is your privacy policy?

Firefly runs locally and none of your personal data is sent to us. You can find our full legalese privacy policy here: privacy.

Who is Red Flask?

Red Flask is a small, independently owned anti-startup building tools we actually want to use. We're obsessed with simplicity, speed, and giving people control over their own data. No investors, no corporate nonsense. Just a couple of builders trying to make something good.

How do I contact Red Flask?

For serious inquiries, you can contact us at redflask.dev@gmail.com.

If you just want to say hi or hang out, feel free to join us on Discord at discord.gg/vGem6A2deH!