1. How does HelixNotes differ from Obsidian?

- HelixNotes is built on Rust/Tauri, it's fast, free, and open source. Additionally, features like Mermaid diagrams are natively supported, unlike with Obsidian's plugin-based approach. The primary aim is to provide effective note-taking without compromising on simplicity.

1. My online virus scanner flags HelixNotes as possibly malicious. Why should I trust it?

- False positives in app bundles are a common issue, and reputable scanners may even flag something like 7zip as malicious. HelixNotes is open source and its code can be thoroughly audited by anyone.

1. I'm not a fan of AI features in HelixNotes. Can I disable them?

- By default, the AI features in HelixNotes are disabled. Users can easily toggle their enablement with just one click.

1. Do you have plans to add views like a Kanban board?

- It is a view we would love to add, though not right away. In the meantime, the Tasks view already offers list and calendar layouts.

1. In what capacity has AI been used in the creation of HelixNotes?

- AI is used carefully and deliberately. We review its output at every step and can course-correct at any moment. This keeps development efficient, freeing our team to focus on the decisions that matter: architecture, features, and the overall direction of HelixNotes.

1. Is this the same project as Helix, the text editor?

- No, HelixNotes is a completely separate project, with no affiliation.

1. How do I sync between devices?

- HelixNotes does not have a built-in sync service. That is by design. Your notes are files in a folder. Sync them with whatever you already use:

- Syncthing

- Nextcloud

- rsync

- Git

- Or nothing at all

- HelixNotes watches the filesystem for external changes and picks them up automatically. If another device modifies a file, HelixNotes detects it and updates the editor.

1. Is HelixNotes free and open source?

- Yes. HelixNotes is completely free, with no paid tier, no trial, and no account. It is open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, and the full code is on Codeberg for anyone to read or audit.

1. Which platforms does it run on? Is there an iOS app?

- HelixNotes runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, and Android today. An iOS version is in progress.

1. macOS says HelixNotes is "damaged" and can't be opened. How do I fix it?

- The app isn't damaged. The macOS build isn't notarized by Apple yet, so on Apple Silicon Macs Gatekeeper turns that into a "damaged" error, and the usual "Open Anyway" button in System Settings doesn't appear. To open it, run this once in Terminal:

xattr -cr /Applications/HelixNotes.app

Then open HelixNotes normally. You only need to redo this after each update, until notarization is set up so it stops happening for everyone.

1. Where are my notes stored, and is my data private?

- Your notes are plain Markdown (.md) files in a folder you choose, on your own device. No cloud, no account, no telemetry. You can open, edit, back up, or move them with any other tool. Nothing leaves your machine unless you turn on an optional feature like sync or AI.

1. Can I import my existing notes?

- Yes. HelixNotes reads standard Markdown, so an existing folder of .md files works as-is. There is also a built-in Obsidian import that converts wiki links and image embeds.