Getting Started with TagSpaces
Welcome to TagSpaces, your privacy-friendly file manager and organizer.
This guide will help you get started quickly after downloading and installing the app.
Launching TagSpaces for the First Time
When you start TagSpaces, after you accept the software license, you’ll be greeted by the Welcome Screen.
From here, you can:
- Create or connect a location (a folder you want to manage with TagSpaces)
- Explore the intro tour to understand the interface
- Open existing folders on your computer or cloud storage
TagSpaces never uploads your data anywhere by default. All your files stay where they are — on your local drive or your object storage.
Understanding “Locations”
A location is simply a folder from your computer, an external drive, or an S3-compatible cloud bucket.
TagSpaces connect automatically some of your standard folders like the Downloads, Documents, Music and Desktop. The Locations are visible on the left area of the application window.
The standard locations are fully optional you can remove them or create new locations pointing to folders which contain files you want to manage in TagSpaces.
To create a new location:
- Click the “New button” on the top left part of the main screen, and the choose New Location from the menu.
- Click the folder icon to to choose a folder from your file system, which will be the root of your location.
- Choosing the folder from your file system
- Give the location a recognizable name.
TagSpaces takes automatically the name of the chosen folder as name for the location. You can change this name something else in this dialog.
- Now you can browse, tag, and organize all files inside that location directly within TagSpaces.
Navigating the Interface
TagSpaces uses a clean, two-panel layout:
- Left panel: lists your connected locations and tag groups
- Main area: displays folder contents using a perspective (grid, list, gallery, kanban, etc.)
- Top bar: provides search, sorting, and settings access
Tagging Your Files and Folders
Tags are at the heart of TagSpaces. They help you organize and find files faster.
To tag a file:
- Select the file.
- Open the Tag Panel on the right.
- Drag an existing tag, or create a new one.
You can group tags by category — for example:
🧾 Document Type, 🎨 Project, 🌍 Location, or 📅 Year.
⚙️ Tagging method: Choose between storing tags in filenames or in sidecar files (
.json).
Adjust this in Settings → Tagging Method.
Creating Notes and New Files
TagSpaces includes built-in editors for:
- Markdown (recommended for note-taking)
- Plain text
- HTML (for formatted documents)
To create a note:
- Click the “+ New File” button.
- Select a format.
- Start typing — your note is saved as a regular file in your folder.
Exploring Perspectives
Perspectives define how your files are displayed:
| Perspective | Description |
|---|---|
| 🗂️ Grid | Visual tile layout |
| 📋 List | Table-like view with sorting |
| 🖼️ Gallery PRO | Ideal for image collections |
| 🗺️ Mapique PRO | Display geo-tagged files on a map |
| 📊 FolderViz PRO | Visualize folder structures and tag connections |
| ✅ Kanban PRO | Manage tasks as cards in a board |
Switch perspectives using the Perspective Switcher in the toolbar.
Syncing Files Across Devices
TagSpaces works with any file synchronization service:
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- Nextcloud
- Syncthing
- S3-compatible storage (Pro)
Connect the same folder as a location on multiple devices to keep tags and notes synced.
Customization and Themes
Personalize your workspace:
- Light and dark modes
- Adjustable language and default perspectives
- Custom folder background colors (Pro)
- Tag color customization
Go to Settings → Appearance & Preferences to tweak your setup.
Next Steps
Now that you’ve created your first location:
- Add and tag files
- Write your first Markdown note
- Try switching perspectives
- Install the TagSpaces Web Clipper to save content from the web
🚀 Pro Tip: Upgrade to TagSpaces Pro for advanced perspectives, geo-tagging, and automation with local AI integrations.