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Local-Only Storage

Reflect AI stores all your journal data locally on your device. No cloud uploads, ever. Your thoughts stay private on your computer.

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Storage Location

All journal entries are stored in a single JSON file: 
journal_data.json
This file is created in the same directory as the application when you write your first entry.

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Data Format

Your journal data is stored in a structured JSON format: 
{
  "entries": {
    "2024-03-15": {
      "text": "Your journal entry text...",
      "photos": [],
      "tags": ["work", "reflection"],
      "sentiment": {
        "compound": 0.742,
        "mood": "positive",
        "scores": {
          "positive": 0.352,
          "negative": 0.021,
          "neutral": 0.627
        }
      },
      "themes": ["work", "learning", "creativity"],
      "word_count": 247,
      "updatedAt": "2024-03-15T14:30:22.123Z"
    }
  },
  "metadata": {
    "created_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00.000Z"
  }
}

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Entry Structure

Each entry contains:
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text
string
required
Your journal entry content (up to 50,000 characters)
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photos
array
Array of photo URLs or paths (max 10 per entry)
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tags
array
Custom tags for organizing entries (max 10 tags, 30 chars each)
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sentiment
object
Automatically generated sentiment analysis
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themes
array
Automatically detected themes (work, family, health, etc.)
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word_count
number
Number of words in the entry
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updatedAt
string
ISO 8601 timestamp of last update

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Data Limits

  • Maximum entry length: 50,000 characters
  • Maximum photos per entry: 10
  • Maximum tags per entry: 10
  • Maximum tag length: 30 characters

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Backup Files

The app automatically creates backup files:
  • journal_data.json.bak - Previous version backup
  • journal_data.json.tmp - Temporary file during save operations
These ensure your data is protected during write operations.

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Backup Recommendations

Since data is stored locally, you are responsible for backups.

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Manual Backup

  1. Copy the journal_data.json file to a secure location
  2. Store it on an encrypted external drive
  3. Keep multiple versions for safety

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Export Feature

Use the built-in export feature: 
curl http://127.0.0.1:5000/api/export > backup.json
This creates a complete backup with metadata.

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Security Considerations

The JSON file is not encrypted by default. Anyone with access to your device can read it.

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Protecting Your Data

  1. Encrypt your device: Use full-disk encryption (FileVault, BitLocker)
  2. Secure permissions: Ensure the file is only readable by your user account
  3. Lock your computer: Always lock your screen when away
  4. Backup securely: Store backups in encrypted locations

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No Cloud Sync

Reflect AI deliberately does not sync to the cloud. This means: ✅ Complete privacy - no third parties access your data
✅ Works offline - no internet required
✅ Full control - you own your data ❌ No automatic backups - you must back up manually
❌ No multi-device sync - data stays on one device This is a conscious privacy-first design choice.

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Data Portability

Your data is stored in standard JSON format, making it:
  • Readable: Open with any text editor
  • Portable: Export and import between devices
  • Future-proof: No proprietary format lock-in
  • Scriptable: Process with any programming language
See Export & Import for details on moving your data.

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