# Journals

Keep a dated, tagged log inside Drive that your whole group can write in.

A **journal** is a document made of dated entries, stored in Drive and protected like any other file. Use one for meeting notes, a case log, a project diary or anything else that grows over time.

> **Security details**
>
> - A journal is backed by a Drive file. Its content key is the file key, wrapped with the group key of the folder like any other file.
> - Every change (a new entry, an edit, a tag) is one operation. Its payload is encrypted with the file key and signed with the author's hybrid signing key (Ed25519 + ML-DSA-65).
> - The server sees that the document exists, who authored each operation and when, and who has it open. Entry text and tags are encrypted; the operation order is verifiable.
> - Authors are visible to the server, so a journal is not a place for anonymous contributions.
> - A new member can read the whole history. Removing a member does not re-encrypt earlier entries; see [key rotation](https://databeamer.eu/en/docs/groups/groups#when-someone-leaves-key-rotation).

## Creating a journal

In any Drive, personal or group, choose **New journal** and give it a name. In a group, every member can read and write it.

## Writing entries

- **New entry** adds an entry for today. Each entry supports headings, lists, checklists and tables.
- Give entries **tags** to find them back later, and **Pin** the ones that matter.
- **Change date** moves an entry to a different day; **Delete** removes it.
- **Search entries…** and the tag filter narrow the list.

When someone else has the journal open you see them under **Viewing now**.

## Journal settings

- **Tag presets** define the tags your team should use. Turn on **Only allow preset tags** to enforce them.
- **Allow changing entry dates** can be turned off to keep the timeline honest.

## Getting your notes out

**Download as Markdown** exports the whole journal as a plain text file you can open anywhere.

In an organisation, a journal can carry a **document type** and a **status**. Keep in mind that types, statuses and labels are visible to the server, unlike the journal's contents. **Only allow preset tags** is enforced by the app on your device, not by the server.