ticTalk - Information & Guide

Installing the PWA

ticTalk is a Progressive Web App (PWA). This means it runs entirely on your device, offering a fast, native app experience without needing an app store.

How to Install

iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open the app in Safari. Tap the Share icon at the bottom, scroll down, and tap "Add to Home Screen".
Android & Desktop: You will be presented with a rich installation preview showcasing the app's features. Tap "Install" when prompted, or look for the install icon in your URL bar.

Why Install to Home Screen?

Running ticTalk from a standard web browser puts your data at risk. Mobile browsers routinely clear their cache and temporary website storage to free up space. If you run the app from a browser tab, your saved talks may randomly disappear.

Benefits of Home Screen Installation:

Persistent Storage: Prevents automatic deletion of your database.
Offline Use: The app functions completely without an internet connection.
App Shortcuts: On supported devices, long-press the app icon to instantly start a "New Talk".

Managing Talks & Formatting

Managing Your Talks & Folders

Unified Add Hub: Use the "+" button to open the creation hub where you can start a new blank talk, create a new Folder, or import via a Shared Code.
Folder Organization: Group related talks into custom folders. Use the dynamic folder bar below the search input to filter your view instantly.
Editing & Deleting: Tap any talk to view it. Long-press on a talk in your list to Pin or Delete it. Deleted talks are safely moved to the Trash Bin located in the top application header.

Markdown Formatting

ticTalk uses custom Markdown to quickly format your outlines and insert interactive elements. Use the following syntax in Edit Mode:

Headers: Use # for large headers, ## for medium, and ### for small headers.
Bold & Italic: Use **bold text** and *italic text*.
Color Formatting: Highlight text using ==color: Your Text==. Supported colors include red, green, blue, and purple.
Interactive Buttons & References: For a Popup Button, use: {Button Title}(Hidden text). For an Inline Reference, use: [Inline Title](Hidden text)

Privacy, Security, and Backups

100% Device-Local Privacy

Your talks are entirely private. ticTalk stores your database securely in your device's local browser storage. We do not have a cloud server.

Crucial: Manual Backups are Required!

Because there is no cloud synchronization, if you delete the app from your Home Screen, your device will instantly and permanently erase all of your talks.

Version History (Auto-Save Recovery)

ticTalk quietly tracks milestone drafts under the hood. If you ever accidentally delete a massive chunk of text, access Version History from your talk options menu to easily restore previous drafts.

How to Backup Your Data

Export Entire Library: Go to the Settings panel and use "Download All Talks" to download a zipped backup.
Targeted Folder Backups: Export a specific convention or series directly from the folder options menu to share grouped talks.
Smart Restoration: When you use "Restore from Backup" with a ZIP file, ticTalk automatically recreates your custom folder hierarchy!

Terms of Use & Disclaimers

1. Gemini AI Privacy & Data Flow

ticTalk utilizes a "Bring Your Own Key" (BYOK) architecture for its optional AI features.

Direct Connection: Your text and custom prompts are sent directly from your device to Google's servers.
No Interception: ticTalk does not intercept, read, collect, or store any of your AI prompts or responses.

2. Limitation of Liability & "As Is" Software

ticTalk is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis.

Data Loss: We are not liable for any loss of data resulting from app deletion, browser cache clearing, or device failure. Regular manual backups are solely your responsibility.