DayLeaf Calendar User Manual

Table of Contents

1. About DayLeaf Calendar
2. Screen Layout & Main Features
3. Basic Usage
4. Trash & Data Safety
5. Data Storage, Backup & Migration
6. Settings & Customization
7. FAQ & Troubleshooting
8. Search, Filtering & Sorting Features
9. File Copy & Management Features
10. Shortcuts & Useful Features
11. Support & Contact
12. Libraries & License Information

1. About DayLeaf Calendar

DayLeaf Calendar is a desktop calendar app for Windows that recreates the warmth and fun of a "tear-off paper calendar" in digital form.

• Record your daily notes and ideas intuitively, just like "tearing off" a calendar page each day.
• Add and organize "Notes", "Hand-drawn Doodles", and "File Attachments" for each date.
• Enjoy convenient features such as drag & drop, Undo/Redo, and automatic backup.
• All data is stored locally on your PC—no cloud or external servers are used.
• Supports multiple languages (Japanese/English), theme switching, sound ON/OFF, and more customization options.

2. Screen Layout & Main Features

DayLeaf Calendar centers around the "Main Calendar", with an intuitive layout including a Control Panel and Edit Modal.

2.1 Overall Layout

• Title Bar: App name and window controls (Minimize, Maximize, Reload, Help, Close)
• Main Calendar: Pages for each date (front/back, with flip animation).
  "Notes", "Doodles", and "Files" are layered for each date.
• Control Panel: Buttons for Today, Previous Week, Previous Day, Flip, Next Week, Edit, Open Date Directory, Layers, Settings, etc.
• Edit Modal: Add/edit "Notes", "Doodles", and "Files" for the selected date.
• Layer Modal: Toggle ON/OFF for each content type (Notes, Doodles, Files).
• Settings Modal: Change app-wide settings such as language, theme, sound, and data storage location.
• File Rename/Copy Progress Bar: Auxiliary screen for file operations.

2.2 Details & Main Features

• Main Calendar:
  ・Flip pages with animation to move between dates
  ・Add, arrange, and edit "Notes", "Doodles", and "Files" for each date
  ・Drag items to adjust position, right-click to edit or delete
• Control Panel:
  ・Today: Jump to today's date
  ・Previous Week/Day, Next Week: Move by week/day
  ・Flip: Flip to the next date
  ・Edit: Open the edit modal for the selected date
  ・Open Date Directory: Open the data folder for that date in Explorer
  ・Layers: Toggle content display
  ・Search: Comprehensive search through notes, file names, and doodle metadata with date range filtering and auto-jump to results
  ・Settings: Open app settings
• Edit Modal:
  ・Notes Tab: Add/edit text notes (choose color, size, background)
  ・Doodles Tab: Draw illustrations/diagrams (pen/undo/clear/save/cancel) ※v1.2 removed eraser for improved stability
  ・Drawing Tab: High-functionality drawing system with multiple tools, colors, and advanced features ※v1.2 new feature
  ・Files Tab: Drag & drop to attach files, rename or delete files
• Layer Modal:
  ・Toggle display of "Notes", "Doodles", and "Files" with one click
• Settings Modal:
  ・Set language, theme, sound, animation, window, data storage, thumbnail size, auto icon arrangement, startup date, developer mode, etc.
• File Rename/Copy Progress Bar:
  ・Shows progress for file renaming and copying

3. Basic Usage

3.1 Moving Between Dates

• Use the "Flip" or arrow buttons to move between dates, just like a paper calendar.
• Click the "Today" button to instantly return to today's date.

3.2 Adding & Editing Notes, Doodles, Drawing, and Files

3.2.1 Drawing Feature (v1.2 New Feature - Advanced Drawing System)

The Drawing feature is a high-functionality drawing system separate from the traditional doodle feature. It provides rich drawing tools, detailed settings, metadata management, and advanced operation features.

3.2.1.1 Drawing Dialog Components

• Header: "Drawing" title and close button (×)
• Metadata Input:
  • "Title:" Drawing title input field
  • "Description:" Drawing description input field
• Drawing Tool Selection: 7 types of tool buttons
  • Hand/Pointer (selection/movement)
  • Pen (free drawing)
  • Highlighter (marker drawing)
  • Rectangle (rectangular drawing)
  • Circle (elliptical drawing)
  • Text (text input)
  • Free Shape (lasso selection)
• Color Selection: Multiple color swatches (red, white, etc.)
• Setting Sliders:
  • "Stroke Width:" Stroke width adjustment (current value: 2)
  • "Font Size:" Font size adjustment (current value: 24)
• Drawing Canvas: Large white drawing area (scrollable)
• Action Buttons: Clear All, Undo, Redo, Save, Load, Export

3.2.1.2 Drawing Feature Operation Method

1. Open Drawing Dialog: Click the "Drawing" button in the control panel
2. Input Metadata: Enter title and description (optional)
3. Select Tool: Choose the drawing tool you want (hand, pen, highlighter, shapes, text, free shape)
4. Set Color and Size: Select color with color swatches, adjust stroke width and font size with sliders
5. Execute Drawing: Perform drawing operations on the canvas
6. Edit Operations: Use Undo/Redo to cancel/redo operations
7. Save: Click "Save" button to save the drawing
8. Load/Export: Use "Load" to load existing drawings, "Export" to output as external files

3.2.1.3 Differences from Traditional Doodle Feature

• You can add multiple notes, doodles, drawings, and files per date.
• Drag items to adjust their position, right-click to edit or delete.
• Undo/Redo is available for editing operations.
• The Drawing feature supports save, load, export, and thumbnail generation.

3.3 Drag & Drop, Preview, and Explorer Integration

• Add files by dragging them directly to the Files tab or the main calendar.
• Rename, delete, preview files, or open them in Explorer.
• Batch delete multiple files and change thumbnail sizes.

3.4 Layers & Display Customization

• Use the "Layers" button to toggle the display of notes, doodles, and files with one click.
• With "Auto Icon Arrangement" ON, items outside the screen are automatically aligned.

3.5 Customizing Settings

• Freely change themes (Washi, Classic, Modern, Dark, etc.), sounds, and animations.
• Set data storage location, startup date, and window behavior in detail.
• Some settings take effect after restarting the app.

4. Trash & Data Safety

DayLeaf Calendar features a unique trash system that allows you to easily restore accidentally deleted notes, doodles, and files.
Data migration and backup are also designed for safety, with robust mechanisms to protect your important records.

4.1 Trash System Highlights (v1.2 Improved)

• Deleted items are not immediately erased, but moved to a dedicated "Trash" folder.
• v1.2 Improvements: Trash list display and usability have been significantly enhanced for better user experience.
• Check and restore data from the "Trash List" screen.
• Trash data retains original file names and locations.
• Even if you delete files with the same name multiple times, they are safely managed (unique IDs are automatically assigned).
• Data remains in the trash until you manually restore it.
• The app's trash is managed separately from Windows' Recycle Bin.

4.2 How to Restore from Trash

1. Click the "Trash List" button in the settings screen
2. Click the "Restore" button for the item you want to recover
3. The data will be returned to its original location (if a file with the same name exists, you will be prompted to overwrite)

4.3 Data Safety Design

• Delete operations only move data to the trash. Data is never immediately erased or overwritten by normal operations.
• Data migration (changing storage location) is by copy—the original data always remains.
• Even in case of errors or cancellation, the original data is never lost.
• Backup and restore can be done easily by folder.

5. Data Storage, Backup & Migration

DayLeaf Calendar stores all data in a "data folder" on your local PC.
No cloud or external servers are used, so you can change the storage location or back up data yourself using standard file operations.

5.1 Data Folder Structure

Data is organized by date, with "Notes", "Doodles", and "Attachments" neatly arranged for each day.

/
  └─ YYYY/
      └─ MM/
          └─ DD/
              ├─ memos/         ... Note data (JSON files)
              ├─ drawings/      ... Doodle & Drawing data (JSON files)
              ├─ files/         ... Attached files/folders
              ├─ file_positions.json ... File position info
    

• memos/: Each note is saved as a JSON file (content, color, position, size, creation date, etc.)
• drawings/: Doodle and Drawing feature data saved as JSON files
  • Traditional doodles: drawing path, position, size, creation date, etc.
  • Drawing feature: title, description, Fabric.js drawing data, settings, thumbnails, creation date, etc.
• files/: Attached files and folders are stored as-is
• file_positions.json: Manages on-screen position info for attached files/folders

5.2 How to Back Up

• To back up, simply copy the entire data folder to a USB drive, external HDD, etc.
• You can also back up or restore only specific dates.
• For safety, perform backup/restore after closing the app.

5.3 How to Migrate Data (Change Storage Location)

1. Change the "Data Storage Location" in the settings screen
2. Current data will be copied to the new location (the original data remains)
3. After copying, you can continue working in the new location

5.4 Notes on Storage Location

• You cannot specify the app's install folder or subfolders of the old data folder as the storage location.
• Safe example: C:\Users\YourName\Documents\MyCalendarData — we recommend a new folder unrelated to the app or old data folders.
• If you want to use a subfolder of the old data folder, copy it elsewhere first, then specify it.

6. Settings & Customization

DayLeaf Calendar offers rich customization features. Adjust appearance, behavior, data storage, and more from the settings screen.

• Language: Switch between Japanese and English
• Theme: Washi, Classic, Modern, Four Seasons, Dark, and more
• Sound: Toggle page flip sound ON/OFF, adjust volume with slider
• Page Flip Animation: Choose from Classic, Slide, Fade, Zoom, Flip, Wipe
• Thumbnail Size: Change image/video thumbnail size from Small (48px) to XXL (210px)
• Window: "Always on Top" ON/OFF, "Auto-start with Windows" ON/OFF
• Data Storage Location: Change/migrate storage folder (specify with "Select..." button)
• Auto Icon Arrangement: ON automatically aligns items outside the screen
• Startup Date: Choose "Today" or "Last Closed Date"
• Developer Mode: ON enables developer tools (F12/Ctrl+Shift+I)

7. Troubleshooting & FAQ

7.1 Troubleshooting

• If you get errors when saving or handling files, check available space and access permissions for the storage location.
• If settings are not applied, restart the app.
• If file previews do not work, check if the format is supported.
• When migrating data, make sure copying is complete before deleting old folders.
• v1.2 Improvements: Enhanced doodle functionality stability, improved calendar display processing, and fixed date specification bug on restart.

7.2 Frequently Asked Questions

• Q. Where is my data stored?
  A. By default, in your user data folder, but you can change/migrate it from settings.
• Q. How do I back up or migrate data?
  A. Changing the "Data Storage Location" will automatically migrate existing data.
• Q. Can I change the theme or language anytime?
  A. Yes, from "Settings" at any time.
• Q. How do I delete or rename files?
  A. Use the Files tab in the edit modal.
• Q. What if notes or doodles are misaligned?
  A. Turn ON "Auto Icon Arrangement".
• Q. What's the difference between Normal Copy and Shell Copy?
  A. Normal Copy is faster for regular files, Shell Copy is better for special files (.asar) or when Normal Copy fails.
• Q. Can I copy large files safely?
  A. Yes, files up to 1GB are supported. Very large files are automatically detected and handled appropriately.
• Q. Are my original files safe during copy operations?
  A. Absolutely! All copy operations are copy-only - your original files are never modified or deleted.
• Q. Are shortcut keys available?
  A. Not implemented yet, but planned for future versions.

8. Search, Filtering & Sorting Features

DayLeaf Calendar features efficient search and organization capabilities for notes, doodles, and files.
With date range search and sorting by content, color, and creation date, you can easily find data even from large collections.

8.1 Search Feature Overview (v1.2 Major Enhancement)

Click the "Search" button in the control panel to comprehensively search through notes, file names, and doodle metadata. From the search results list, selecting an item will automatically open the date where that data exists.
v1.2 New Features: Date range filtering and auto-jump to search results have been added, creating a more powerful search system.

• Date Range Search: Specify start and end dates to search only data from a specific period
• All Content Types Supported: Cross-search content from notes, doodles, and files
• Real-time Search: Search results update as you type
• Detailed Search Results: Display date, content, and type of found data in a list
• Automatic Date Jump: Selecting a search result automatically moves to the corresponding date

8.1.1 Searchable Data Types

The search function can search through the following data:

• Note Text: Full text content of text notes
• File Names: Names of attached files (including extensions)
• Drawing Titles: Titles and descriptions of drawings created with Fabric.js
• Doodle Titles: Titles and descriptions of hand-drawn doodles
• Tag Information: Tags set on notes

8.2 Advanced Note Management Features

• Search & Filtering: Keyword search by note content, filtering by tags
• Sorting: Sort by content, color, or creation date in ascending/descending order
• Export & Import: Backup and restore selected notes in JSON format
• Tag Management: Classify and organize notes with up to 10 tags
• Background Color Settings: Freely customize note background colors

8.3 How to Use Search (v1.2 Detailed Guide)

8.3.1 Search Dialog Operation Steps

1. Open Search Dialog: Click the "Search" button in the control panel
2. Enter Keywords: Type keywords in the search field (e.g., "aaa", "meeting", "blueprint")
3. Set Date Range (optional):
   • Specify search start date with "From:" (Year/Month/Day format)
   • Specify search end date with "To:" (Year/Month/Day format)
   • Use "Clear" button to clear date range
4. Execute Search: Click the yellow "Search" button with magnifying glass icon
5. Check Results: Search result count is displayed (e.g., "Search results for 'aaa': 1 item"), and result list appears
6. Select Data: Click on desired data from search results
7. Auto Jump: Automatically move to the date where selected data exists

8.3.2 Search Result Display Elements

Search results display the following information:

• Data Icon: Yellow document icon visually representing the data type
• Title: Title of memo or file (e.g., "aaaaaaaaaaa")
• Content Preview: Search keywords are highlighted in yellow (e.g., "aaa aaa aaa aa")
• Date Information: Date and day of week displayed in green (e.g., "2025/09/14(Sun)")
• Data Type: Gray tags like "MEMO", "FILE", "DRAWING" indicating data category

8.3.3 Useful Search Tips

9. File Copy & Management Features

DayLeaf Calendar provides two types of file copy methods to ensure reliable file management: Normal Copy and Shell Copy. Both methods are designed with safety in mind, ensuring that original files are never modified or deleted during the copy process.

9.1 File Copy Safety Design

• Copy-Only Operations: All file operations create copies, never modify originals
• Separate Processing: Files and folders are processed separately to avoid conflicts
• Batch Processing Control: Large-scale operations are limited to prevent system overload
• File Size Monitoring: Automatic detection and handling of large files (>1GB)
• Error Recovery: If one file fails, others continue processing

9.2 Normal Copy (Built-in File Copy)

The Normal Copy feature uses the app's internal file handling system for everyday file operations.

• Best for: Regular files, small to medium sizes, standard file formats
• Features: Fast processing, real-time progress, automatic file organization
• Limitations: May fail with special files (.asar, system files) or very large files
• Safety: Original files remain completely unchanged

9.2.1 Normal Copy Process

1. Drag & drop files into the Files tab or main calendar
2. Files are automatically copied to the selected date's folder
3. Progress is displayed in real-time with file count and size information
4. Files are organized by date in the calendar structure
5. Thumbnails are generated for supported file types

9.3 Shell Copy (Advanced OS-Level Copy)

The Shell Copy feature uses Windows OS commands (robocopy, xcopy, etc.) to powerfully and safely copy files that may fail with normal copy, such as special files (e.g., .asar files or certain system files).

9.3.1 When to Use Shell Copy

• Special Files: .asar files, system files, or files with special permissions
• Large Files: Files over 100MB that may cause memory issues
• Failed Normal Copy: When normal copy returns errors
• Complex Structures: Folders with many subfolders and files

9.3.2 Shell Copy Process

1. Open the "Files" tab in the Edit Modal
2. Click the "Shell Copy" button or drop files into the Shell Copy area
3. Files are processed individually to avoid system overload
4. Real-time progress, detailed logs, and error messages are displayed
5. After completion, files are automatically added to the file list for that date

9.3.3 Shell Copy Advantages

• Can copy special files (like .asar) and large files that may fail with normal copy
• High reliability by using standard Windows OS commands
• Real-time feedback: progress, errors, and detailed command output
• Supports clipboard copy and batch copy of multiple files
• Individual file processing prevents system overload

9.4 File & Folder Processing Strategy

To ensure system stability and prevent errors, DayLeaf Calendar processes files and folders using a smart separation strategy.

9.4.1 Processing Separation

• Files: Processed individually with size and type validation
• Folders: Processed separately to maintain structure integrity
Mixed Content: Files and folders are sorted and processed in appropriate order
• Large Files: Automatically detected and handled with appropriate methods

9.4.2 Batch Processing Limits

• File Count: Large batches are processed in smaller groups
• File Size: Files over 1GB are handled with special care
• Memory Management: Prevents system memory overload during processing
• Progress Feedback: Continuous updates to prevent user confusion

9.5 Copy Progress & Monitoring

During file copy operations, DayLeaf Calendar provides comprehensive progress monitoring to keep you informed of the operation status.

9.5.1 Progress Information Display

• Real-time Progress: Current file being processed, percentage complete
• File Count: Total files, completed files, remaining files
• Time Tracking: Elapsed time and estimated completion time
• File Details: Current file name, size, and processing status
• Error Reporting: Detailed error messages for failed operations

9.5.2 Completion Summary

• Success Count: Number of successfully copied files
• Error Count: Number of files that failed to copy
• File List: Complete list of processed files with status
• Destination Path: Where files were copied to
• Operation Log: Detailed log of all copy operations

9.6 Error Handling & Recovery

DayLeaf Calendar implements robust error handling to ensure that copy operations are as reliable as possible.

9.6.1 Common Error Scenarios

• File Access Denied: Files in use by other applications
• Insufficient Space: Destination drive lacks storage space
• Special File Types: .asar files or system-protected files
• Network Issues: Network drives or cloud storage problems
• Permission Issues: Files requiring administrator access

9.6.2 Error Recovery Strategies

• Individual Processing: If one file fails, others continue
• Alternative Methods: Automatic fallback to Shell Copy if Normal Copy fails
• Detailed Logging: Comprehensive error information for troubleshooting
• User Notification: Clear error messages with suggested solutions
• Partial Success: Successfully copied files remain available even if some fail

9.7 Best Practices for File Copy

9.7.1 File Size Considerations

• Small Files (< 10MB): Use Normal Copy for best performance
• Medium Files (10MB - 100MB): Normal Copy works well, Shell Copy as backup
• Large Files (100MB - 1GB): Consider Shell Copy for reliability
• Very Large Files (> 1GB): Shell Copy recommended, monitor system resources

9.7.2 Folder Copy Recommendations

• Simple Folders: Normal Copy for folders with few files
• Complex Folders: Shell Copy for folders with many subfolders
Mixed Content: Shell Copy for folders containing both files and subfolders
• Large Folders: Shell Copy with progress monitoring

10. Shortcuts & Useful Features

• Add files via drag & drop
• Open files/folders in Explorer instantly
• Undo/Redo (when editing notes/doodles)
• Instantly switch thumbnail size or theme
• Trash list & restore feature
• Desktop app features like "Always on Top" and "Auto-start"

11. Support & Contact

For questions or issues, please contact us via the in-app help or the developer contact below.
Developer Contact: Udon Soba yosuke4061@gmail.com

12. Libraries & License Information

Application License

Open Source Libraries Used

• Electron (MIT License)
  https://github.com/electron/electron
• electron-store (MIT License)
  https://github.com/sindresorhus/electron-store
• uuid (MIT License)
  https://github.com/uuidjs/uuid
• iconv-lite (MIT License)
  https://github.com/ashtuchkin/iconv-lite
• Node.js Standard Modules (MIT License)
  - path, fs, child_process, os
  https://github.com/nodejs/node
• tree-kill (MIT License)
  https://github.com/pkrumins/node-tree-kill
• windows-shortcuts (MIT License)
  https://github.com/j201/windows-shortcuts

Full MIT License

Message from the Developer

Thank you very much for using DayLeaf Calendar.
This app is made possible by the power of many open source communities and the feedback of our users.
We will continue to improve DayLeaf Calendar to make "daily record-keeping more enjoyable".
We hope you will continue to enjoy using it.
- Udon Soba (Developer)