FAQ & troubleshooting

My notes disappeared after a reload

Most likely: a browser extension or the browser itself cleared localStorage. Open DevTools → Application → Local Storage and check for the noteser-notes key. If it's gone but your vault was synced to GitHub, click Settings → GitHub sync → Reset to remote to repopulate.

"Vault is locked" — what now?

You enabled encryption (Settings → GitHub sync). The passphrase isn't persisted, so every page refresh re-locks the vault. Click the Unlock prompt or open Settings → GitHub sync → Vault encryption → Unlock… and type your passphrase.

I forgot my encryption passphrase

There is no recovery. The passphrase derives the key — without it, the encrypted blobs on GitHub are unreadable. Options:

  1. Disable encryption (Settings → GitHub sync → Disable encryption), then re-enable with a new passphrase. Existing encrypted notes on remote become permanently unreadable.
  2. Restore from a local backup (if you've been doing Push vault to folder).

How do I migrate from Obsidian?

Drop your .md files into a folder, connect that folder via Settings → Local folder, click Sync from folder…, confirm the import. Wikilinks ([[Note]]) carry across. Frontmatter tags: gets flattened to inline #tag lines.

Why can't I connect a local folder in Firefox / Safari?

Those browsers don't yet support the File System Access API. Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, and Opera all work. Or wait for the native desktop wrap (Tauri) — coming later.

My GitHub push fails with "Vault is locked"

Encryption is enabled but the vault is locked. Unlock first (Settings → GitHub sync → Vault encryption → Unlock…), then retry.

My GitHub push fails with "Token is missing the gist scope"

You're trying to publish a gist for the first time. The token was issued before noteser added gist support. Disconnect and reconnect GitHub — the new authorisation includes the gist scope.

Where are my notes stored?

  • Always: in your browser's localStorage under noteser-notes + noteser-folders.
  • If GitHub sync is connected: also as .md files in your GitHub repo, on every successful Commit & Sync.
  • If Local folder is connected: also as .md files in the picked folder, on every Push to folder.

How do I report a bug?

Settings → About → Report a bug. Fills a pre-formatted GitHub issue with your noteser version + browser + recent activity.

FAQ & troubleshooting — Noteser help