How to Use Anytype: A Quick Start Guideline 2025

Ever feel like your notes, tasks, and ideas are all over the place?

It’s a real problem. 

You try to keep everything organized, but it ends up a mess.

That’s super frustrating. 

This guide will show you step-by-step instructions on how to use Anytype so you can finally keep your digital life in order. 

Let’s get started!

Getting Started with Anytype

Okay, so you’re ready to give Anytype a try.

Awesome! First things first, you’ll need to get the app.

Head over to the Anytype website and download the version that matches your computer.

Once it’s downloaded, follow the simple on-screen instructions to install it.

It’s pretty straightforward, just like installing any other app.

First Impressions

When you open Anytype for the first time, you might feel a little overwhelmed.

Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks!

Think of Anytype as your digital workspace. 

It’s like having a super-organized notebook, a to-do list, and a powerful database all rolled into one.

The Building Blocks: Objects and Types

Everything in Anytype is built around objects.

Imagine objects as little containers for your information.

They could be anything – a note, a task, a website link, or even a whole project.

Now, here’s where types come in. Types are like labels for your objects.

For example, you might have a “Note” type for your daily thoughts, a “Task” type for your homework, and a “Project” type for, well, your projects!

Types help you keep your information organized and easy to find.

Let’s Create Something!

Ready to try it out? Let’s create your first object! It’s super simple:

1. Click the “+” button at the bottom of the screen.
2. Choose a type for your object (like “Note”).
3. Give it a name (like “Math Homework”).
4. Start typing! You can add text, images, links, and more to your object.

That’s it! You’ve just created your first Anytype object. Pretty cool, right?

Finding Your Way Around

You’ll notice a few key areas in the Anytype interface:

• The Sidebar: This is where you’ll find your different types, objects, and other important information.
• The Main Content Area: This is where you’ll create and view your objects.
• The Toolbars: These handy bars at the top and bottom of the screen give you quick access to tools for creating, editing, and organizing your objects.

Your Data Belongs To You

One of the coolest things about Anytype is that it’s local-first.

This means your data is stored on your computer first, not in some cloud somewhere.

This keeps your information safe and secure, and you always have control over it.

Core Features and Functionality

Okay, so you’ve got Anytype installed, and you’ve made your first object.

Now, let’s look at what makes this app super useful.

It’s got some cool stuff that can really help you get organized.

1. Note-Taking Like a Pro:

• Anytype is a great note–taking app. It allows you to type anything you want, just like in a regular document.
• To make your notes easy to read, you can use different formats, such as headings, bullet points, and lists.
• You can even add pictures and links to your notes.
• This option gives you a lot of flexibility in how you record your information.

2. Task Management Made Simple:

• You can create to-do lists and keep track of your tasks.
• Set deadlines and priorities, so you know what’s important.
• Use relations to connect your tasks with other objects, like notes or projects.
• This makes project management much easier!

3. Building Your Databases:

• Think of a database as a super-organized list.
• You can create custom databases for anything you need, like a list of books, movies, or even your homework assignments.
• You can define different properties for each item in your database, like title, author, or due date.
• This is a strong part of the application.

4. Connecting the Dots with Relations:

• Relations are like links between your objects.
• They help you see how different pieces of information are connected.
• For instance, you can link a task to a note that contains information about that task.
• This creates a personal knowledge graph.

5. Templates to Get You Started:

• Anytype comes with pre-made templates for different types of objects.
• These templates can save you time and effort.
• For example, there might be a template for a meeting note or a project plan.

6. Customizing Your Workspace:

• You can change the way Anytype looks and feels to match your style.
• Change themes and layouts to make it comfortable for you.
• This gives you a personalized experience.

Customization and Personalization

Okay, so you’ve seen the main features of Anytype.

Now, let’s talk about making it truly yours.

This platform is all about letting you set things up just how you like them.

1. Templates: Your Starting Point

• Anytype gives you some pre-made templates. These are like ready-to-go structures for different kinds of objects.
• Think of them as starting points. You can use them as they are or change them to fit your needs.
• For example, you might find a template for a meeting note, a project planner, or a simple to-do list.

2. Creating Your Types

• Remember those object “types” we talked about? You can create your own!
• This means you can make Anytype fit exactly how you work.
• Want a special type for your book reviews? Or for your science experiments? You got it!

3. Making it Look Good

• Anytype lets you change how it looks. You can pick different themes and layouts.
• This makes it nice to look at and comfortable to use.
• Like other programs, you can change the visual structure.

4. Settings: Your Control Panel

• Anytype has settings that let you change how it works.
• You can adjust things to make your workflow smoother.
• This is all about making the app work for you.

5. Plugins and Extras (If Available)

• Anytype might have plugins, which are like little add-ons.
• These can add extra features or connect Anytype with other programs.
• This is a feature that expands the basics.

6. Security and Privacy

• Because Anytype is offline and can encrypt your data, it’s very secure.
• You control your data, it is not stored in someone elses cloud.
• This is a big change from something like notion.

Practical Use Cases and Workflows

Alright, so you know what Anytype can do.

Now, let’s talk about how you can actually use it in your daily life.

It’s not just a fancy notebook; it’s a powerful tool for getting stuff done!

1. Your Personal Knowledge Hub

• Imagine using Anytype for all your notes, research, and ideas.
• You can build your own personal “second brain” by linking related notes and topics together.
• For example, you can take notes on a science project and link them to research articles you find online.
• Then, you can link the project details to your daily to-do list.
• This is much more powerful than a regular doc.

2. Project Management Powerhouse

• Need to plan a school project or organize a group activity? Anytype can help!
• You can create task lists, set deadlines, and track your progress.
• Use relations to connect tasks with relevant notes and documents.
• You can even create a project dashboard to see everything at a glance.

3. Creative Writing and Content Creation

• If you like to write stories, poems, or even blog posts, Anytype is a great tool.
• You can brainstorm ideas, create outlines, and organize your research all in one place.
• Link your character sketches to your story chapters, or connect research articles to your essay drafts.
• This is a great way to handle the writing process.

4. Daily Organization and Planning

• Use Anytype to keep track of your daily tasks, appointments, and reminders.
• Create a daily planner with your to-do list, schedule, and important notes.
• You can even set reminders for upcoming events or deadlines.

5. Staying Up-to-Date and Learning

• Because Anytype is open-source, you know it will get frequent updates.
• This means you are learning a program that will stay current.
• Unlike Obsidian, which is also powerful, Anytype offers a different workflow and approach to data connection.

6. Building Your Workflows

• The best part about Anytype is that you can create your workflows.
• Think about how you like to work, and then design Anytype to match.
• For example, you might create a workflow for studying, a workflow for managing your hobbies, or a workflow for planning your future.
• This is where the user gets to customize their experience.

Wrapping Up

So, that’s Anytype in a nutshell!

It’s a really cool tool that can help you get organized and keep track of all your stuff.

Use it for notes, tasks, projects, or anything!

With its peer-to-peer design, your info stays safe, and you can even share it directly with friends.

The Kanban boards and other ways to see your data are super helpful.

Don’t be afraid to explore all the different parts of Anytype and see what it can do.

Anytype builds your personal info network, and it does it well.

Give it a shot, and see how it works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions