Docs/Canto/Canto Documentation

Canto Documentation

Canto is a privacy-first AI notebook. Use this guide hub to install quickly, master the core workflows, and solve common issues without guesswork.

Applies to: 0.1.0-beta.1Last updated: February 2026

Start in 10 Minutes

Start from the Canto private AI notebook for Mac product page and download the latest build.
Activate your license on first launch.
Create your first note and open Ask AI to summarize it.
Use wiki links and Memory Links to connect today's note to older ideas.

What the product page covers

Need the high-level product overview before diving into docs? Visit the Canto product page for pricing, privacy positioning, offline AI details, and the lifetime license checkout flow.

Browse by Topic

Getting Started

Install Canto, activate your license, and create your first note.

Core Workflows

Task-first flows for writing, refining, and retrieving ideas.

AI Features

Ask AI, AI Assist, Agent Panel, and autocomplete in one place.

Memory Links

Use related notes and semantic recall to rediscover old ideas faster.

Editor & Writing

Formatting, slash commands, wiki links, math, mermaid, and attachments.

Organize Notes

Folders, tags, templates, daily notes, and trash/recovery workflows.

Notebooks

Create and run code cells with notebook-focused AI assistance.

Import, Export & Backups

Move data safely with .canto/.cwsp, Markdown/HTML/PDF, and restore tools.

Settings, Privacy & License

Tune your setup, control telemetry, and manage activation/devices.

Keyboard Shortcuts

High-leverage shortcuts for writing, AI, navigation, and search.

Troubleshooting

Fix activation, model, performance, and recovery issues quickly.

How docs stay current

Every Canto release should update relevant docs sections and troubleshooting notes.
Support trends from Support tickets are used to improve docs flow.
New feature behavior is reflected in docs with each release note cycle in Changelog.

Screenshot Checklist

Save all screenshots under /img/docs/canto/.

Filename	Capture Location	Place in Page
canto-overview-main-ui.png	Main app window with sidebar + editor + right panel visible	Overview page, directly under "Start in 10 Minutes"
canto-overview-docs-hub.png	The /docs/canto page in browser with sidebar nav visible	Overview page, in "Browse by Topic" section

Documentation Screenshots

Images render automatically when files exist in /img/docs/canto/. Missing files show placeholders so publishing is never blocked.

Main app window with sidebar + editor + right panel visible. Placement: Overview page, directly under "Start in 10 Minutes" — Capture: Main app window with sidebar + editor + right panel visible
Placement: Overview page, directly under "Start in 10 Minutes"