iOS / Core Concepts /

Navigating the App

Move between Library, Inbox, Search, and the rest of your workspace

Octarine uses a compact bottom navigation bar. By default, Library, Inbox, and Search are the three visible tabs. More opens the other workspace tools, while the separate scribble button starts a Quick Capture.

Bottom Navigation

The first three visible items in your navigation order become tabs. The active tab has a filled icon. The bar hides while you edit a note, create a workspace, or use another full-screen flow.

The customizable destination set is:

ItemWhat it opens
LibraryNotes, folders, and anything you have pinned
InboxCaptures waiting to be triaged
SearchFull-text workspace search
TagsTags and the notes that use them
PropertiesFrontmatter keys and matching notes
TemplatesReusable note templates
AttachmentsImages and videos in .attachments/
SettingsWorkspace, writing, sync, and account settings

The menu header shows the current workspace. Tap it to switch workspaces, or use Manage Workspaces to open the full workspace chooser.

Quick Capture

The scribble button to the right of the navigation bar is for Quick Capture. It opens a small editor for sending a thought, image, dictated passage, priority, and capture tag to Inbox. It does not create a regular note. See Inbox & Quick Capture.

To create a regular note, use the + button in the Library header or the Command Bar.

Customize the Navigation

Open More, then tap the sliders button. From there you can:

  • Drag items into the order you want.
  • Hide destinations you do not need.
  • Restore a hidden item later.

The first three visible items become the bottom tabs. At least three items must remain visible, and changes are saved when you close the customization sheet.

Daily Desk

Daily Desk is no longer a separate navigation tab. Tap the calendar button in a page header to open the calendar from Library, Inbox, Search, Tags, Properties, Templates, Attachments, or Settings. From there you can open a daily or weekly note. See Daily Desk.

Gestures

  • Swipe from the left edge to return from the editor, a folder, or a detail page.
  • Pull down from the top of a page to open the Command Bar. It will not interrupt a list that is already scrolled or an active editor selection.

Octarine for iPhone is designed for portrait orientation.

Quick Answers

What are the default iOS navigation tabs?

Library, Inbox, and Search are the default tabs. You can reorder or hide destinations from More → Customize.

What does the scribble button do?

It opens Quick Capture and saves the result to Inbox. Use the + button in Library when you want a regular note.

Where is Daily Desk on iOS?

Tap the calendar button in a page header. Daily Desk now opens as a calendar sheet instead of a separate tab.