Getting Started
Getting Started Download

Getting Started with Draglass

This guide will help you install, configure, and start using Draglass for your knowledge management needs.

Installation Options

Option 1: Try the Web Version (Fastest)

The quickest way to experience Draglass is through the web version with the built-in Demo Vault:

  1. Clone the repository: 
    git clone https://github.com/erezak/Draglass.git
cd Draglass
  2. Install dependencies: 
    pnpm install
  3. Run the development server: 
    pnpm dev

  4. Open your browser to the URL displayed (typically http://localhost:5173)

  5. Demo Vault loads automatically with interactive examples of every feature

The web version uses an in-memory vault with localStorage persistence—perfect for trying Draglass without any commitment.

Option 2: Desktop Application (Full Experience)

For native file system access and the complete Draglass experience, build the desktop application.

Prerequisites

Before building the desktop app, ensure you have:

  • Node.js (recommended: latest LTS version)
  • pnpm package manager
  • Rust toolchain for Tauri

Install pnpm (if not already installed):

npm install -g pnpm

Install Rust (if not already installed):

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

Build Steps

  1. Clone the repository: 
    git clone https://github.com/erezak/Draglass.git
cd Draglass
  2. Install dependencies: 
    pnpm install

  3. Run in development mode:

    Open two terminal windows:

    Terminal 1 (Vite dev server):

    pnpm dev

    Terminal 2 (Tauri):

    pnpm tauri dev
  4. Build for production: 
    pnpm build
pnpm tauri build

    The built application will be in src-tauri/target/release/bundle/

First Launch

Using the Demo Vault

When you first launch Draglass (web or desktop), the Demo Vault opens automatically. This is an interactive guide that demonstrates every feature:

  • Browse notes in the left sidebar
  • Follow [[Wikilinks]] between notes
  • Check the Tasks panel on the right
  • Check the Tags tab on the right and filter by project
  • Open the Graph View to see connections
  • Try the Quick Switcher with Cmd/Ctrl + P

The Demo Vault is a safe playground—edit anything, experiment freely, and learn by doing.

Opening Your Own Vault

When you’re ready to work with your own notes:

  1. Click the folder icon in the top bar
  2. Select any folder on your computer
  3. Draglass reads all .md files in that folder and subfolders

Your vault is just a folder of Markdown files—nothing special, no proprietary format.

Desktop app: Remembers your last vault and reopens it on next launch (configurable in Settings).

Web version: Uses an in-memory vault. Desktop app required for persistent file system access.

Creating Your First Note

Method 1: New Note Button

  1. Click the + button in the left sidebar toolbar
  2. Enter a note name
  3. Press Enter

The note is created in the currently selected folder (or vault root if nothing is selected).

Method 2: Command Palette

  1. Press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P to open the Command Palette
  2. Type “New Note”
  3. Press Enter

The most natural way to create notes:

  1. Type [[My New Idea]] in any note
  2. Click the wikilink
  3. Draglass creates the note and opens it

This workflow encourages connected thinking—the act of linking is the act of creating.

Method 4: New Note from Template

  1. Press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P to open the Command Palette
  2. Run New note from template…
  3. Pick a template from your templates folder (default _templates)

You can also run Insert template… to apply a template inside the current note. Template files are excluded from Global Search results by default.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Cmd/Ctrl + P Quick Switcher (fuzzy note search)
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P Command Palette
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + F Global Search (full-text)
Cmd/Ctrl + S Force save immediately
Cmd/Ctrl + B Toggle left sidebar
Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + B Toggle right sidebar
Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + B Toggle both sidebars

Understanding the Interface

Top Bar

  • Left: Sidebar view tabs (Files / Search) and toggle button
  • Center: App name and vault selector
  • Right: Right sidebar toggle button
  • Files tab: Tree view of all notes and folders
    • Toolbar: New note, new folder buttons
    • Bottom: Vault name/path and Settings button
  • Search tab: Global search interface
    • Full-text search across vault
    • Case-sensitive toggle
    • Results with snippets and line numbers

Main Editor

  • Title bar: Note name (click to rename), Live Preview/Source toggle, save indicator
  • Editor: CodeMirror 6 editor with Live Preview or Source mode
  • Autosave: Green dot = saved, pulsing = saving, red = error

Tabs and panels:

  1. Links tab:
    • Outgoing Links: Wikilinks in the current note
    • Backlinks: Notes that link to the current note
  2. Tasks tab: All open checkboxes across the vault (click to jump)
  3. Tags tab: Filter tags and open notes by selected tag

Toolbox (Left Side)

Vertical toolbar with three buttons:

  • Quick Switcher (magnifying glass)
  • Graph View (network icon)
  • Command Palette (command icon)

Basic Workflows

Daily Capture

  1. Create a daily note: [[2026-02-08]]
  2. Add tasks for today: ```markdown
    • Review notes on [[Project Alpha]]
    • Write summary of [[Meeting Notes]] ```
  3. Link to relevant topic notes as you write
  4. Check the Tasks panel to see your to-dos

Building a Knowledge Base

  1. Start with broad topic notes: [[Philosophy]], [[Science]], etc.
  2. Write specific notes and link back:
    • [[Socratic Method]] links to [[Philosophy]]
    • [[Philosophy]] links to [[Critical Thinking]]
  3. Use the Graph View to see clusters form
  4. Follow backlinks to discover unexpected connections

Project Management

  1. Create a project note: [[Project Alpha]]
  2. Add tasks within it: ```markdown

    To Do

    • Design database schema
    • Write API documentation
    • Set up CI pipeline ```
  3. Create linked notes for details: [[Database Design]], [[API Spec]]
  4. Use the Tasks panel to track open items across all project notes

For Privacy

  • Show hidden/ignored paths: Off (default)
  • Remember last vault on startup: Your choice
  • Set a vault password if using locked sections

For Performance

  • Autosave debounce: 750ms (default) or higher for slower systems
  • Backlinks debounce: 250ms (default)
  • Render diagrams/images: On for rich experience, off for speed

For Focus

  • Use Cmd/Ctrl + Alt + B to hide both sidebars
  • Enable Soft wrap for comfortable reading
  • Choose your preferred theme (Dark or Light)

Tips for New Users

  1. Start small: Begin with 5-10 notes. Grow your vault organically.
  2. Link generously: Create wikilinks as you write. You can always refine later.
  3. Use the Demo Vault: It’s the best tutorial. Edit it, break it, learn from it.
  4. Check backlinks often: They reveal connections you didn’t plan.
  5. Trust autosave: The green dot means you’re saved. No need to spam Cmd/Ctrl + S.
  6. Explore the Graph: Especially after you have 20+ notes. Patterns emerge.
  7. Tasks anywhere: Don’t create a separate to-do app. Tasks in context are more useful.
  8. Folders are optional: Links create structure too. Use folders only when they help.

Organizing Your Vault

Draglass supports multiple organization strategies:

Flat Vault

Keep all notes at the root. Rely entirely on wikilinks for structure. Works well for smaller vaults and promotes heavy interlinking.

Topic Folders

Group notes by subject: Science/, Philosophy/, Projects/. Good for established knowledge domains.

PARA Method

  • Projects: Active work with deadlines
  • Areas: Ongoing responsibilities
  • Resources: Reference material
  • Archives: Completed or inactive items

Zettelkasten

One idea per note, with explicit wikilinks between them. Let structure emerge from connections rather than folders. Perfect for the Graph View.

Experiment and find what works for you. You can always reorganize later.

Troubleshooting

Notes Not Appearing

  • Ensure the folder contains .md files
  • Check Show hidden/ignored paths in Settings
  • Verify the vault path is correct (shown at bottom of left sidebar)

Graph View Not Loading

  • Refresh the graph with the refresh button
  • Check browser console for errors (web version)
  • Try with a smaller vault to isolate performance issues

Autosave Not Working

  • Look for the red dot indicator (file system error)
  • Check file permissions in your vault folder
  • Verify disk space is available
  • Backlinks scan is debounced. Wait 250ms after typing.
  • Check that backlinks are enabled in Settings
  • Restart the app to force a full rescan

Locked Sections Not Hiding

  • Ensure the heading has {locked} marker
  • Verify vault is locked (lock with Hide Private Sections command)
  • Check that vault password is set

Next Steps

Now that you’re set up:

  1. Explore all features in detail
  2. View screenshots of Draglass in action
  3. Return to home for more resources
  4. Visit the GitHub repo to report issues or contribute
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