App Navigation
Learn how to navigate Notesmakr's three-tab interface for notes, flashcards, and settings
Notesmakr uses a clean, intuitive three-tab bottom navigation system that keeps everything you need just a tap away. Let's explore how to navigate the app effectively.
The Three Main Tabs
Notesmakr's interface is organized into three primary sections, accessible via the bottom navigation bar:
1. Notes Tab (Home)
Icon: Document/note icon
This is your main hub—where you'll spend most of your time. The Notes tab shows all your study notes in one organized list.
What you can do here:
- View all your created notes
- Search and filter notes
- Create new notes from various sources
- Access individual notes for studying
- See note previews, tags, and creation dates
Learn more about the Notes tab →
2. Flashcards Tab
Icon: Flashcard/deck icon
Your dedicated space for active recall practice. The Flashcards tab displays all your flashcard decks generated from your notes.
What you can do here:
- Browse all flashcard decks
- Start quick study sessions
- Track your flashcard progress
- Review difficult cards
- Access spaced repetition features
Learn more about the Flashcards tab →
3. Settings Tab
Icon: Gear/settings icon
Control your learning experience and manage your account. The Settings tab is your control center for customization and preferences.
What you can do here:
- Manage your account and profile
- Customize study preferences
- Change language settings
- Configure API keys for AI features
- Access help and support
- Provide feedback
Learn more about the Settings tab →
Understanding the Navigation Bar
The bottom navigation bar is always visible (except when you're actively studying a note or taking a quiz). Here's what you need to know:
Active Tab Indicator
The currently active tab is highlighted with:
- A different color (usually accent color)
- Bolder or filled icon
- Text label below the icon
Quick Switching
Tap any tab icon to instantly switch to that section. Your position within each tab is preserved, so you can easily switch back and forth without losing your place.
Persistent State
When you navigate to different parts of the app and return to a tab, it remembers:
- Your scroll position
- Active filters or search queries
- Expanded or collapsed sections
Get comfortable with the three-tab navigation—it's designed to minimize taps and keep your workflow smooth. Most actions are just one or two taps away from the home screen.
Creating Content: The + Button
On the Notes tab, you'll see a prominent + (plus) button, usually in the bottom-right corner or top-right of the screen. This is your gateway to creating new study materials.
When you tap the + button, you'll see five options:
- PDF - Upload a PDF document
- Audio - Record or upload audio
- Text - Type or paste text directly
- Scan - Take a photo of textbook pages
- Snap & Solve - Photograph a problem for step-by-step solutions
Each method uses AI to process your content and generate comprehensive study notes.
Learn about all note creation methods →
Navigation Patterns Within Notes
When you tap a note card from the Notes tab, you enter the study interface, which has its own three-tab structure:
- Overview - Summary and key concepts
- Reading - Full paginated content with inline annotations (typed, handwritten, and voice)
- Study Tools - Flashcards, quizzes, Q&A sessions, and mind maps
This nested navigation keeps related content organized while maintaining easy access to the main tabs via the bottom navigation bar.
Swipe Gestures
Notesmakr supports intuitive swipe gestures in several places:
Reading Mode
- Swipe left/right: Navigate between pages
- Tap sides: Jump to previous/next page
Flashcard Study
- Tap card: Flip to see answer
- Rate with buttons: After flipping, rate your confidence using the 5-level scale (Not at all, A little, Somewhat, Pretty good, Mastered)
Note List
- Swipe left on note: Delete note
- Pull down: Refresh the list
Swipe gestures work in the direction that makes sense for your language. If you're using an RTL language like Hebrew, swipe directions are automatically mirrored.
Back Navigation
Different parts of the app handle "back" differently:
Android Back Button / iOS Back Gesture
- Returns to the previous screen within the app
- If you're on a main tab, exits the app
In-App Back Button
- Appears in the top-left when you're viewing a note or in sub-sections
- Returns you to the previous screen (usually the tab you came from)
Quick Exit from Deep Navigation
If you're deep in the app (e.g., viewing a quiz inside a note), you can:
- Tap the bottom nav bar to return to that tab's main view
- Use the back button multiple times to step back through your path
Search and Filters
Most tabs offer search and filter options:
Notes Tab Search
- Tap the search icon (magnifying glass) in the top-right
- Search by title, content, tags, or date
- Filter by subject, creation date, or source type
Flashcards Tab Search
- Search for specific decks
- Filter by mastery level or last studied date
App Bar Actions
The top app bar (header) changes based on which screen you're on:
Notes Tab App Bar
- Search icon: Open search
- Filter icon: Filter/sort notes
- + button: Create new note
Note Study App Bar
- Back arrow: Return to Notes tab
- Share icon: Share this note
- More menu (⋮): Additional options (edit, delete, export)
Settings Tab App Bar
- Usually just shows "Settings" title
- Some sub-pages have their own specific actions
Offline Navigation
Notesmakr works offline! When you don't have internet:
- You can still navigate between all tabs
- View existing notes and study materials
- Use flashcards and quizzes already generated
- Take personal notes while studying
Creating new notes from PDFs or audio requires internet connection for AI processing. Text-based notes and scanned notes can be created offline and processed when you reconnect.
Accessibility Features
Notesmakr's navigation is designed to be accessible:
- Screen reader support: All buttons and tabs are properly labeled
- High contrast mode: Compatible with system accessibility settings
- Large text: Scales with your device's text size preferences
- Voice control: Can navigate using voice commands on supported devices
Tips for Efficient Navigation
Navigation pro tips:
- Use bottom nav for big jumps: Switching between major sections (Notes ↔ Flashcards ↔ Settings)
- Use back button for stepping back: When you want to retrace your steps
- Use search when you know what you want: Faster than scrolling through lists
- Bookmark frequent notes: Keep your most-used notes easy to find with the bookmark feature
- Organize with tags: Makes filtering and finding notes easier
What's Next?
Now that you understand how to navigate Notesmakr, explore each tab in detail:
Or jump straight into creating your first note: