Unfriction

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Unfriction is a local-first macOS notes application designed for instantaneous thought capture. It operates as a system-level overlay (floating window above all apps/Spaces) with native macOS integration, leveraging Swift and Core Data for performance.
2. Core Value Proposition: It eliminates cognitive friction in note-taking by enabling sub-400ms launch speeds, zero-interruption workflows, and offline data sovereignty. Primary keywords: instant notes app, zero friction productivity, macOS OCR tool, local-first notes, clipboard manager.

Main Features

1. Instant Launch (<400ms): Activates via ⌃⌥N shortcut. Uses compiled Swift binaries (Universal for Intel/Apple Silicon) and preloaded memory caching to bypass launch delays. Overlay persists across Spaces/apps without window switching.
2. Smart OCR Extraction: Converts screenshots to text via ⌘V using macOS Vision Framework for on-device processing. Extracts text in <1s without cloud dependency.
3. Clipboard/Screenshot History: Locally stores clipboard items and screenshots in SQLite databases with SHA-256 encryption. Accessed via in-app timeline view with keyboard navigation.
4. Auto-Save & Lock Notes: Continuously saves keystrokes to disk using Core Data versioning. Locked notes remain visible above all windows via NSWindowLevel API adjustments.
5. Minimalist UI Engine: Glass-morphism interface with adjustable opacity (40-90%) built on SwiftUI. Supports dark mode, swipe gestures (pin/delete), and full keyboard control.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Prevents lost ideas due to slow app launches and context-switching fatigue during creative work. Solves cloud privacy concerns and OCR workflow fragmentation.
2. Target Audience:
   • Engineers/Developers: Capturing code snippets without breaking flow.
   • Writers/Journalists: Securing transient ideas during research.
   • Designers: Extracting text from UI mockups instantly.
   • Students: Note-taking during lectures with screenshot OCR.
3. Use Cases:
   • Capturing inspiration during full-screen coding sessions.
   • Converting meeting screenshots to searchable text archives.
   • Recovering lost clipboard items after system crashes.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation vs. Competitors:
   • 5x faster launch than Bear/Apple Notes (tested on M1 Pro).
   • No cloud sync/subscriptions (vs. Evernote/Notion).
   • Overlay persistence unmatched by Drafts or Ulysses.
2. Key Innovations:
   • Local-first OCR: Avoids cloud API latency/security risks.
   • Focus-optimized UI: Semi-transparent overlay reduces visual distraction vs. traditional note apps.
   • System-level integration: Clipboard/screenshot hooks via macOS Accessibility APIs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Unfriction compatible with macOS Sonoma?
   Yes. Unfriction v1.5 supports macOS Ventura and Sonoma (Intel and Apple Silicon).
2. How does Unfriction ensure data privacy?
   All data (notes, screenshots, clipboard) is stored locally with optional AES-256 encryption. Zero cloud servers or tracking.
3. Can I export notes to other apps?
   Yes. Export to Markdown, PDF, or TXT via right-click context menu. Backups saved to user-specified folders.
4. What happens after the 10-note free tier?
   Free users retain read access to existing notes. Unlimited features require $19 lifetime license (no subscriptions).
5. Does clipboard history store sensitive data?
   Clipboard data is excluded from system memory swaps and auto-deletes after 30 days. Users can manually purge items.