Getting started

You can use Glob for Web in a browser at www.glob.design. Start with a small project so you can see how capturing a note differs from placing a node on the canvas. The Linux app uses these same workspace controls.

Sign in#

Enter your Email and Password, then choose Sign in. You can also choose Continue with Apple or Continue with Google. Use the account that holds the material you want to open.

Create an account opens account registration. Forgot password? opens account password recovery. Account access and verification are covered in the account guide.

If you see “That email or password is incorrect.”, check those details and try again. “Check your inbox and verify your email address first.” means verification is required. “Your session expired. Sign in again to continue.” asks you to repeat sign-in.

Enter the sync passphrase#

After sign-in, Glob may ask for your Sync passphrase. Enter it and choose Unlock. The sync passphrase is a separate step from the account password. If you already use sync on another device, use the passphrase for that account.

For first encryption setup, Save your recovery key appears before the workspace opens. Save the displayed key separately from this device, check I saved this key somewhere safe and choose Finish enrollment. You cannot skip this step and finish setup. Cancel enrollment creates no account keys. An existing account without recovery still opens; its reminder can be deferred, and Settings → Security → Add recovery key remains available.

Glob also tries to restore a saved unlock when you return. You may see Unlocking… while it does so. A reload does not necessarily ask you for the passphrase again.

If unlocking fails, the form clears the entered passphrase and displays “Unlock failed. Check the passphrase and try again; no sync cursor was advanced.” Check both the account and passphrase. A failed unlock can have causes beyond a typing mistake; see Troubleshooting. Back to sign in returns to the account sign-in screen.

For sync setup or recovery beyond this form, use the account guide. Resetting an account password is not a substitute for entering the sync passphrase.

Choose or create a project#

After an explicit passphrase unlock, the Projects panel opens. Choose an existing project under Your projects, or type a Project name under New project and choose Create. For example, create “Garden”. Creating it selects that project and opens the Nodes view.

The project panel has three icon tabs: Local projects, Sharing, and Import and export. Shared with me appears when you have shared memberships. You can return to project choices from the picker in Nodes; see Tasks and projects.

Returning with a saved unlock usually takes you to the selected project. If no project has been chosen in this browser, Glob can open the project panel to help you start.

Learn the two main surfaces#

On a wide window, the canvas fills the workspace and the Glob List Panel sits at the right. The panel has Nodes, Snippets and Tasks tabs. Most tools open over these surfaces, so closing a tool returns you to your work.

On a narrow window, the list panel covers the canvas. Use Show canvas in the bottom toolbar to reveal it, and Show list panel to return. The canvas keeps its view while you switch.

On a wide window, rest the pointer on the panel's left edge until the resize handle appears, then drag to change its width. The edge also offers Hide panel. When the panel is hidden, move towards the right edge to reveal Show panel. The keyboard alternative is in Keyboard shortcuts.

Make your first material#

1. In Nodes, type “Garden layout” into Create a node… and press Enter. You can also double-click empty canvas to start a node there.
2. Open the node's editor and add a short explanation. See Nodes and the editor for saving and formatting.
3. Switch to Snippets. Type “Check which plants tolerate shade” into Create a note… and press Enter or choose Capture.
4. Switch to Tasks. Enter “Measure the bed” into Create a task… and submit it.
5. Drag useful material onto the canvas to arrange it, then use the canvas connection controls to show relationships.

Capture goes into the list that its section currently shows. Selecting a project in Nodes does not make Snippets and Tasks follow that project. Learn the separate list choices in Capture and lists.

Check work before leaving#

Use Sync now when you want Glob to check for changes immediately. The sync control can also say Syncing…, Sync failed — try again, or Offline — sync when you reconnect. Check any visible save or sync error before closing the app.

For a copy you can read outside Glob, use Import and export. For account controls, appearance, Lock and Sign out, see Settings.