Connect your account
The first time you open the desktop app, it needs to know who you are. This is what we call connecting the app to your StoryFolder account.
How do I connect the desktop app to my account?
- Open StoryFolder. You'll see the Sign In screen.
- Click Connect your account. The app will open your default web browser to storyfolder.com/auth-app.
- Sign in there with your StoryFolder email and password (or your sign-in link).
- The browser tab will say “Authenticating…” and then automatically hand control back to the desktop app.
- You should see the StoryFolder home screen with your projects. You're connected.
Why does it open a browser?
This pattern means your password is only ever entered on a real website with the URL bar visible — never inside a native app window. It also lets you use future browser-based sign-in methods (like social login) without re-installing.
What if the browser handoff doesn't work?
Sometimes the browser opens but the desktop app doesn't pick up the activation. To fix it:
- Make sure StoryFolder is still running when the browser tab finishes loading.
- If the browser shows a button like Open StoryFolder, click it.
- If your browser asks whether to open a
storyfolder://link, click Open or Always allow. - If nothing happens, copy the URL from the browser, switch to the desktop app, paste it into the address bar of the sign-in screen, and press Enter.
Still stuck? See Activation problems.
How many machines can I sign in on?
That depends on your plan:
- Free, Basic, Pro: 1 active machine at a time.
- Business: 3 active machines.
If you hit the limit, you can free up a slot by deactivating an old machine from your account page or from inside the desktop app under Preferences → Account → Deactivate Machine.
How do I sign in on a second computer?
Just install the app on the new computer and run through the same Connect your account flow. If you're under your machine limit, it will activate immediately. If you're over, you'll be told which slot to free up first.
How do I sign out?
Open Preferences → Account and click Deactivate Machine. The app returns to the Sign In screen. Your projects stay safe on the server, ready to come back when you sign in again.