Choose local or cloud storage

Local mode keeps history and screenshots on this computer. The local workspace stays available without an account.

When the signed-in account is eligible under the current offer, cloud mode provides remote workspace access, managed retention, billing, and unlisted share links. The local app and a self-hosted server stay free. In Pinar Cloud, voice transcription remains a Pro benefit and is not part of an evaluation; the local app can transcribe voice with your own AI endpoint. You accept the current policies before anything is stored remotely.

• In the extension options, “Save Annotation History” (shown in cloud mode when you are signed in) controls whether the session is stored on the Pinar Cloud server so the viewer, reopen, and review keep working. Local captures always stay on this device.

Local history starts with a protected “Personal” project and “Inbox” collection that you cannot nest or delete like ordinary folders. Captures stay on this computer, and you can open them from the local workspace.

Cloud storage starts after you accept the current “Terms”, “Privacy”, and “Acceptable Use” and confirm an email code. “Free” and Pro accounts use the same sign-in flow. Share links stay readable by anyone who has the unlisted URL.

• The local workspace stays on this computer and does not need a cloud account.
• If local history cannot open its usual store, Pinar recovers a usable catalog instead of crashing.
• Cloud share links do not require a workspace session: anyone with the unlisted URL can read the Markdown or image.

The same pages behave differently by storage. In the local app, the session viewer, the project, collection, and batch pages, and the Markdown open on this computer without a login. In Pinar Cloud, those pages stay private until you publish a share: the private Markdown opens only with your account or an authorized key.

In the local app, the Plans and sign-in pages open on pinar.dev instead of loading on this computer.

• The local viewer does not show agent execution results. It does show the comments stored on pins, including comments that agents add through MCP. Pinar Cloud also shows agent execution results in the review thread.
• The share controls in the viewer — publishing a share, copying its link, and revoking it — are offered only in Pinar Cloud.
• The “Generate written steps” action in the viewer is offered only in Pinar Cloud.