Getting Started with Simple Notes: Complete Guide 2025

You're here because you want a simpler way to take notes. Good news: Simple Notes is designed to be up and running in under two minutes — no configuration, no learning curve, no decisions to make before you start writing.

This guide covers everything from creating your account to using the more powerful features when you're ready for them.

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Step 1: Create your account

Go to simplenotes.krokanti.com and click Get started free.

You can sign up with:

• Email and password — enter your name, email, and a password
• Google — one click, no password needed

That's it. You're in. No credit card, no onboarding wizard, no configuration required.

---

Step 2: The interface

When you first open Simple Notes, you'll see a three-panel layout:

┌─────────────┬───────────────────┬─────────────────────────┐
│  Navigation │    Notes list     │        Editor           │
│  (folders,  │  (search, sort,   │  (write here)           │
│   tags)     │   note previews)  │                         │
└─────────────┴───────────────────┴─────────────────────────┘

Left panel — your folders and tags. Start with "All Notes" — you can organize later.

Middle panel — your list of notes with title previews and timestamps. Click a note to open it.

Right panel — the editor. Click to start typing.

---

Step 3: Create your first note

Three ways to create a note:

1. Keyboard shortcut: Press Cmd+N (Mac) or Ctrl+N (Windows/Linux) from anywhere in the app
2. Click the + button in the notes list panel
3. Click the compose icon in the nav sidebar

Type your note. It saves automatically — no save button, no Cmd+S needed. Every change is saved in real time.

---

Step 4: Write in Markdown (optional)

Simple Notes supports Markdown — a simple way to format text using punctuation. You don't have to use it, but once you learn the basics, you'll never go back to clicking formatting buttons.

The basics you'll actually use

Headings — put # before a line:

# Big heading
## Section heading
### Sub-section

Bold and italic:

**bold text**
*italic text*

Lists:

- Item one
- Item two
  - Nested item

1. First step
2. Second step
3. Third step

Checklists (interactive — click to check/uncheck):

- [ ] Buy groceries
- [x] Call dentist
- [ ] Finish report

Code:

Use `inline code` for commands.

```javascript
const hello = "world";

That's 90% of what you'll ever need. Simple Notes renders Markdown as you type — no preview pane required.

<Callout type="info">
Want to go deeper? Read our [complete Markdown guide](/blog/markdown-note-taking-guide) with templates for meetings, research, and daily notes.
</Callout>

---

## Step 5: Organize with folders and tags

**Folders** are for context. Create a folder per area of your life:
- Work
- Personal
- Projects
- Reference

**Tags** are for topics that cut across folders. A note in Work can have a `#meeting` tag. A note in Personal can also have `#meeting`. Search by tag to find all meeting notes regardless of folder.

### Creating a folder

Click the **+ New Folder** button in the left sidebar. Name it and press Enter.

Drag notes from the note list into a folder, or select a folder when creating a new note.

### Adding tags

In the note editor, open the note options (⋯ menu in the toolbar) and add tags. Or type `#tagname` anywhere in a note — Simple Notes will recognize it.

<Callout type="tip">
Don't over-organize. Start with 3–4 folders maximum and 5–10 tags. Add more only when you notice a recurring need. Over-organization is the enemy of consistent use.
</Callout>

---

## Step 6: Search your notes

Press `Cmd+F` (or `Ctrl+F`) or click the search bar in the notes list panel.

Simple Notes searches your full note content — not just titles. Search for `npm install` and you'll find every note where you mentioned it.

**Search tips:**
- Use specific terms — `postgres setup` finds more precisely than `database`
- Your best headers become search anchors — `## Action items` in every meeting note means searching "action items" finds them all

---

## Step 7: Keyboard shortcuts

Once you know these, you'll be faster than any toolbar-clicking approach:

| Action | Mac | Windows/Linux |
|--------|-----|---------------|
| New note | `Cmd+N` | `Ctrl+N` |
| Search | `Cmd+F` | `Ctrl+F` |
| Bold | `Cmd+B` | `Ctrl+B` |
| Italic | `Cmd+I` | `Ctrl+I` |
| Focus mode | `Cmd+Shift+F` | `Ctrl+Shift+F` |

Focus mode hides the sidebar and note list so you see only the editor — great for long writing sessions.

---

## Step 8: Version history

Every change you make is automatically saved as a version. Simple Notes keeps the last **10 versions** on the free tier (50 on Pro).

To access version history:
1. Open a note
2. Click the **clock icon** (⏱) in the toolbar
3. Click any version to preview it
4. Click **Restore** to bring that version back

This is your safety net. Edit freely, restructure notes, delete sections — you can always go back.

<Callout type="info">
Learn more about what version history can do for your notes in our [version history guide](/blog/version-history-notes).
</Callout>

---

## Step 9: Share a note publicly

Every note can be made public with a single toggle. When public, it gets a clean URL:

simplenotes.krokanti.com/public/your-note-title

Anyone with the link can read it. No login required. Toggle it back to private and the URL stops working immediately.

**Use public notes for:**
- Documentation to share with your team
- A resource page to link from elsewhere
- A reference you want to be findable by Google

<SignupCTA
  headline="Share your first public note"
  subtext="Toggle any note to public. Get a shareable link instantly. Free."
/>

---

## Step 10: Access from any device

Simple Notes is a web app — it works in any browser on any device. Go to simplenotes.krokanti.com on your phone, tablet, or work computer and your notes are there.

No app to download. No sync setup. Just sign in and your notes are waiting.

---

## The trash and recovery

Deleted notes go to the **Trash** folder — not deleted permanently. To recover a note:
1. Click **Trash** in the left sidebar
2. Find the note
3. Click **Restore**

To permanently delete, select a note in Trash and click **Delete permanently**. This cannot be undone, so the trash is a good place for "maybe I'll want this later" notes.

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## FAQ

**Is Simple Notes really free?**
Yes — the free tier includes unlimited notes, all devices, 10 version snapshots per note, and 1 public note. No credit card required.

**Can I use it offline?**
Simple Notes currently requires an internet connection. Offline mode is on our roadmap.

**What happens to my data if I stop using it?**
Your notes are yours. You can export them at any time from account settings. We don't lock you in.

**Is there a mobile app?**
Not yet — it's a web app that works in mobile browsers. Native iOS and Android apps are planned.

**How do I cancel or delete my account?**
Go to Settings → Account → Delete account. Your data is removed within 30 days.

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Now you know everything you need to use Simple Notes effectively. The best way to learn is to start — create a note right now and see how it feels.

See also: [Markdown note-taking guide](/blog/markdown-note-taking-guide) · [Build a second brain with Simple Notes](/blog/second-brain-simple-notes) · [Features overview](/features)