Offline-First Architecture
Anchor stores everything locally for instant access:Local Storage
All notes, tags, and settings are stored on your device
Instant Access
Open and edit notes without waiting for network requests
Full Features
Every feature works offline - create, edit, organize, and search
Automatic Sync
Changes sync across devices when you reconnect
Working Offline
All Anchor features function without connectivity:What Works Offline
Offline changes are stored locally and queued for synchronization. When you reconnect, all changes automatically sync to the server and other devices.
What Requires Connection
A few operations need internet connectivity:- Sharing notes - Requires connection to notify recipients
- Initial access - New shared notes appear after syncing
- Account changes - Profile updates and password changes
- Registration - Creating new accounts requires server connection
Automatic Synchronization
Anchor syncs your data across all devices automatically:How Sync Works
Sync Triggers
Synchronization happens automatically:- App launch - Syncs when you open Anchor
- Periodic intervals - Regular background sync while the app is open
- After edits - Syncs shortly after you make changes
- Reconnection - Syncs when network connectivity returns
- Manual refresh - Pull to refresh or click sync button
Background Sync
Sync continues automatically while you work
No User Action
No need to manually save or sync - it’s automatic
Conflict Resolution
When the same note is edited on multiple devices while offline, Anchor resolves conflicts automatically:How Conflicts Are Resolved
Minimizing Conflicts
Reduce the chance of conflicts:- Sync frequently - Connect to the internet regularly to sync changes
- Work on one device - For active editing, use one device at a time
- Coordinate with collaborators - Communicate about who’s editing shared notes
- Check sync status - Ensure changes sync before switching devices
Sync Indicators
Monitor sync status in the app:Status Messages
- Synced - All changes are up to date across devices
- Syncing - Currently exchanging data with the server
- Offline - No internet connection, changes stored locally
- Pending - Changes waiting to sync when connection returns
Understanding Sync States
Green/Synced
Your device is connected and all changes are synchronized
Yellow/Pending
You have local changes that haven’t synced yet
Gray/Offline
No connection - changes are queued for sync
Blue/Syncing
Actively exchanging data with the server
What Gets Synced
Anchor synchronizes all your data:| Data Type | Synced Across Devices |
|---|---|
| Notes | Title, content, formatting, properties |
| Tags | Name, color, associations |
| Note state | Pinned, archived, trashed status |
| Shares | Shared notes, permissions, access |
| Organization | Tag assignments, backgrounds |
| Deletions | Trash, permanent deletes, tag removals |
Account settings and profile information also sync, ensuring consistent configuration across all devices.
Sync Performance
Anchor optimizes sync for efficiency:Incremental Sync
- Only changed data syncs, not entire database
- Timestamp-based: only items modified since last sync
- Efficient for large note collections
- Fast sync even with hundreds of notes
Smart Batching
- Multiple changes combined into single sync operation
- Reduces server requests and battery usage
- Minimizes bandwidth consumption
- Smooth experience even on slow connections
Data Retention
Understand how long data is kept:Tombstones
Deleted items are kept temporarily for sync:- Deleted notes - Marked as deleted for 30 days
- Deleted tags - Marked as deleted for 30 days
- Revoked shares - Marked as deleted for 30 days
- Automatic purge - Permanently removed after retention period
Tombstones ensure that deletions sync properly across all devices. Even if a device is offline for weeks, it will receive deletion notices when it syncs.
Permanent Deletion
- Notes deleted permanently are marked for removal
- Retained for 30 days to sync deletion across devices
- After 30 days, permanently purged from servers
- Cannot be recovered after purge
Multi-Device Best Practices
Optimize your multi-device workflow:Sync Regularly
- Open Anchor on all your devices periodically
- Ensure changes sync before switching devices
- Check sync status before closing the app
Network Awareness
- Sync happens automatically on WiFi
- Mobile data is used efficiently
- Manual sync available when needed
- Offline mode saves bandwidth
Device Management
- Use the same account on all devices
- All devices see the same notes and tags
- Changes made anywhere appear everywhere
- No need to choose a “primary” device
Troubleshooting Sync Issues
Resolve common sync problems:Sync Not Starting
Changes Not Appearing
- Wait for sync to complete on both devices
- Check sync status indicator
- Manually trigger sync with pull-to-refresh
- Verify you’re logged into the same account
Sync Taking Long
- Large changes may take time on slow connections
- First sync after installation includes all data
- Wait for completion - interrupting can cause issues
If sync issues persist, try logging out and back in. This forces a fresh sync of all data.
Technical Details
For those interested in how sync works:Sync Protocol
- Timestamp-based - Uses updatedAt timestamps for conflict resolution
- Bidirectional - Sends local changes and receives remote changes
- Incremental - Only syncs items modified since last sync
- Efficient - Minimal data transfer and battery usage
Local Storage
- Web - IndexedDB for browser-based storage
- Mobile - SQLite database on Android/iOS
- Encrypted - Local data protected by device security
- Persistent - Survives app restarts and updates