JournivJourniv
User Guide

Getting Started

Learn the basics of using Journiv for journaling.

Welcome to Journiv! This guide will help you get started with your journaling journey. Whether you're new to journaling or migrating from another platform, this guide covers everything you need to know.

First Steps

1. Access Your Instance

After installing Journiv, visit your instance URL (e.g., http://192.168.1.1:8000 or https://journiv.example.com).

2. Create Your Account

If signups are enabled, click "Sign Up" and create your account:

  • Choose a strong password (minimum 8 characters)
  • Use a memorable email address
  • Complete the registration form

Note: If using OIDC/SSO, click "Sign in with OIDC" instead.

3. Complete Initial Setup

After logging in, you'll see the welcome screen. Take a moment to:

  • Explore the interface
  • Review the features available
  • Set your preferences

Creating Your First Journal

Step 1: Create a Journal

  1. Click "New Journal" or the "+" button in the journals list
  2. Enter a name for your journal (e.g., "Personal", "Work", "Travel")
  3. Choose a color and icon (optional, but helps with organization)
  4. Add a description (optional)
  5. Click "Create"

Step 2: Organize Your Journals

Create multiple journals for different aspects of your life:

  • Personal Journal - Daily thoughts and reflections
  • Work Journal - Professional insights and ideas
  • Travel Journal - Trip memories and experiences
  • Therapy Journal - Mental health tracking
  • Gratitude Journal - Daily gratitude entries

Writing Your First Entry

Step 1: Open Your Journal

Click on any journal from your journals list to open it.

Step 2: Create an Entry

  1. Click "New Entry" or the "+" button
  2. Start writing! You can:
    • Add rich text content
    • Upload images, videos, or audio files
    • Add tags for organization
    • Log your mood
    • Set a custom date/time

Step 3: Save Your Entry

Click "Save" when you're done. Your entry is automatically saved and synced.

Exploring Features

Mood Tracking

Track your emotional journey:

  1. Click the mood icon when creating or editing an entry
  2. Select your current mood
  3. Add optional notes about why you feel this way
  4. View mood analytics in the Insights section

Writing Prompts

Never face a blank page:

  1. Click "Prompts" in the navigation
  2. Browse prompts by category or difficulty
  3. Click a prompt to create an entry from it
  4. Use prompts daily to build consistent journaling habits

Tags

Organize entries with tags:

  1. Add tags when creating or editing entries
  2. Use consistent tag names for better organization
  3. Filter entries by tags in search
  4. View tag statistics in analytics

Search

Find entries quickly:

  1. Use the search bar at the top
  2. Filter by date range, mood, journal, tags
  3. Search across all entries or within a specific journal
  4. Save frequent searches for quick access

Media Attachments

Enrich entries with media:

  1. Click the attachment icon when editing an entry
  2. Upload images (JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP)
  3. Upload videos (MP4, MOV, WebM)
  4. Upload audio files (MP3, WAV, M4A)
  5. Media files are stored locally and generate thumbnails

Tips for Effective Journaling

Write Regularly

  • Set a daily reminder to journal
  • Start with just 5 minutes per day
  • Build consistency over time
  • Use prompts when you don't know what to write

Be Honest

  • Your journal is private—be yourself
  • Write without judgment
  • Express your true thoughts and feelings
  • Don't worry about grammar or structure

Use Tags

  • Tag entries consistently
  • Use descriptive tag names
  • Create tag hierarchies (e.g., work/project-name)
  • Review and clean up tags periodically

Track Your Mood

  • Log your mood daily
  • Add notes about what influenced your mood
  • Review mood patterns over time
  • Use insights to understand yourself better

Use Prompts

  • Browse prompts when stuck
  • Try different prompt categories
  • Use prompts to explore new topics
  • Track which prompts inspire you most

Organize with Journals

  • Create separate journals for different purposes
  • Use journal colors and icons for quick identification
  • Keep related entries together
  • Review journal analytics regularly

Mobile Apps

Connect Mobile App

  1. Download the Journiv app for iOS or Android (coming soon!)
  2. Open the app and tap "Add Server"
  3. Enter your server URL (e.g., https://journiv.example.com)
  4. Log in with your credentials
  5. Start journaling on the go!

Offline Support

The mobile apps work offline:

  • Create entries without internet
  • View cached entries and journals
  • Upload media when offline
  • Automatic sync when connectivity is restored

Next Steps

Now that you're familiar with the basics:

  • Explore Analytics - View your writing patterns and insights
  • Set Up Export - Configure regular backups
  • Customize Settings - Adjust preferences and appearance
  • Join the Community - Connect with other users on Discord or Reddit

Getting Help

Need assistance?

Happy journaling! 📔

Architecture

Learn about Journiv's architecture, components, and API documentation.

Mobile App Guide

Connect and use the Journiv mobile apps for iOS and Android.

On this page

First Steps1. Access Your Instance2. Create Your Account3. Complete Initial SetupCreating Your First JournalStep 1: Create a JournalStep 2: Organize Your JournalsWriting Your First EntryStep 1: Open Your JournalStep 2: Create an EntryStep 3: Save Your EntryExploring FeaturesMood TrackingWriting PromptsTagsSearchMedia AttachmentsTips for Effective JournalingWrite RegularlyBe HonestUse TagsTrack Your MoodUse PromptsOrganize with JournalsMobile AppsConnect Mobile AppOffline SupportNext StepsGetting Help