iCloud sync

How sync works

Cora uses iCloud Drive (Apple’s CloudDocuments service) for sync. There is no separate Cora account, no subscription, and no server we control — sync goes through the same Apple infrastructure that syncs your Desktop and Documents folders.

To sync a project across your Macs, save the .cora file somewhere inside your iCloud Drive folder. macOS handles the rest.

Setting up sync

1. Make sure iCloud Drive is enabled: System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Drive → On
2. Save your project into your iCloud Drive folder (e.g. ~/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/)
3. Sign in to the same Apple ID on your other Mac
4. The .cora file will appear and open normally

How the file format helps sync

The .cora package format is designed with iCloud in mind:

• Each scene, draft, and note is a separate .txt file
• When you edit one scene, only that scene’s file needs to sync — not the entire novel
• JSON metadata files are small and change infrequently
• This keeps updates small and can reduce the amount of data iCloud needs to transfer

Conflicts

If two Macs edit the same scene while offline, iCloud may create a conflict copy of the .cora file. Open both copies, compare the content, and merge the changes manually before choosing which copy to keep.

Offline use

You do not need an internet connection to use Cora. The app reads and writes files locally at all times. If iCloud Drive is enabled, changes queue up and sync automatically when a connection is available.

Privacy

Files in your iCloud Drive are governed by Apple’s privacy policy, not Cora’s. We have no access to your iCloud Drive contents. Apple encrypts iCloud Drive data in transit and at rest.

If you prefer to keep projects entirely off iCloud, save them anywhere outside your iCloud Drive folder — your local Documents folder, an external drive, or another sync service.

Troubleshooting

Changes are not appearing on the other Mac

• Check that iCloud Drive is enabled on both Macs
• Make sure the .cora file is inside the iCloud Drive folder, not just synced via a third-party service
• Open System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud and check that iCloud Drive shows a green status

The file shows a cloud icon in Finder (not downloaded)

Click the file in Finder to download it, or enable “Keep downloaded” for the folder: right-click the folder → Keep Downloaded.

Conflict copy appeared

Open both the original and the conflict copy in Cora, compare the content, and merge manually. Once satisfied, move the conflict copy to Trash.