SideNote ProGuide
A practical manual for SideNote Pro, from first launch to provider configuration, model choice and privacy. Written against what the application actually does, including where it stops.
Getting started
Start here if you have just installed it.
AI providers
Connecting to a hosted provider, a local model, or anything OpenAI-compatible.
BYOK explained
What BYOK means, when it is the right choice, and when it is not.
OpenAI setup
Create a key, configure the profile, test the connection.
Ollama setup
Run models on your own machine through Ollama's OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
LM Studio setup
Local models with a graphical manager, through LM Studio's local server.
Custom compatible providers
The exact contract SideNote Pro expects, and where compatibility usually breaks.
Models and reasoning
Deciding what to send each task to. The two guides that save the most time and money.
Working with content
Documents, folders, screenshots and selected text.
Local folder context
Index a folder, ask questions, check the sources.
PDF and DOCX documents
Attach documents and ask questions that produce useful answers.
Screenshots and images
Capture, attach, and ask questions that use the image well.
Selected-text actions
Set up shortcuts that act on a selection in any application.
Conversations and storage
What happens to a conversation after the answer arrives.
Privacy and storage
Exactly what stays local and what does not.
Troubleshooting
When something does not work as expected.
Looking for shorter, more opinionated advice on getting good results? That is in tips and tricks. For a specific question, try the FAQ.