Create a journal entry
This guide explains how to start a new journal entry in Scripvio: where to tap, what happens at creation, and how to fill the editor for the first time. Every entry starts as a draft; publishing to the Library is a separate step.
→ Journal overview · Draft and publish
Where to create an entry
Section titled “Where to create an entry”| Entry point | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Create (bottom tab) | + → Journal entry | Create or resume an untitled draft, then editor |
| Create | Journal segment → tap an existing row | Reopen an existing draft |
| Home | Journal quick action | Opens Create tab (then + → Journal entry) |
| Home | Journal to resume | Opens a listed draft directly |
Library → Journal is not a creation screen: it lists published entries only. If empty: No published journal entries yet — Only published items appear in the Library. Create and publish an entry from Create.
Step 1 — Start creation
Section titled “Step 1 — Start creation”- Tap the Create tab.
- (Recommended) Switch to the Journal segment to see existing drafts.
- Tap the + button bottom right.
- In the sheet, tap Journal entry.
Untitled behavior
Section titled “Untitled behavior”Scripvio avoids stacking empty entries:
| Situation | Behavior |
|---|---|
| No untitled draft | A new entry is created (today’s date by default) → editor |
| Already one untitled draft | Warning → opens that draft instead of creating another |
| Creation fails | Could not create the journal entry. |
Limit message: You already have an untitled journal entry. Add a title to that draft before creating another.
Tip: set Title / theme early so you can start another entry the same day.
Date at creation
Section titled “Date at creation”Entry date is set to today (device calendar). You can change it later in the editor.
Step 2 — Edit entry screen
Section titled “Step 2 — Edit entry screen”The editor opens with that app bar title. Back returns to Create (Journal segment) or where you came from.
Top actions
Section titled “Top actions”| Icon / menu | Action |
|---|---|
| Star | Mark as favorite (even while draft) |
| ⋮ menu | View read-only; Publish (when draft) |
The new entry is a draft: it appears under Create → Journal, not in the Library until you publish.
Empty Create (Journal segment): You don’t have any drafts yet. Use the buttons below to get started.
Step 3 — Fill the fields (on-screen order)
Section titled “Step 3 — Fill the fields (on-screen order)”The editor moves from personal framing (mood, tags, date) to text, then optional links.
1. Title / theme
Section titled “1. Title / theme”- Field under Entry details: Title / theme
- Lists show Untitled when empty
- Required to publish (Add a title before publishing.)
- Autosave after a short pause (spinner, check ✓, or error)
2. Mood and tags
Section titled “2. Mood and tags”Mood and tags block:
| Item | Interaction |
|---|---|
| Mood | Tap card → Mood sheet; tap to choose or change; Clear mood |
| Tags | Manage tags → Tags sheet (Check or uncheck below.) |
No mood: — under the mood label. Labels come from Scripvio reference data (connection may be required: Reference data requires a connection.).
3. Entry date
Section titled “3. Entry date”- Entry date row (calendar icon)
- Tap → date picker (the day the entry is about)
- Different from Updated shown in lists (last technical change)
Example: writing in the evening about the morning → set entry date to that morning. Tracking activities offered for linking are filtered to that date.
4. Content
Section titled “4. Content”Content section:
- Rich text editor (bold, lists, paragraphs)
- Body autosaves after edits (same as title)
This is the heart of the entry: prayer, reflection, personal notes.
5. Bible references
Section titled “5. Bible references”Bible references card:
| Situation | Message / action |
|---|---|
| Local unsynced entry | Bible references will be available once the entry is synced to your account. |
| Synced entry | Add passages (sheet), reorder, read passage text |
From Search: Add to journal → pick a draft only (Only drafts can receive verses from search…).
→ Bible references (same card; journal behavior)
6. Link a Tracking activity (draft)
Section titled “6. Link a Tracking activity (draft)”If nothing is linked yet, a Link a Tracking activity card appears:
- Help text: Choose a type, then an activity on this entry’s date that is not already linked to another journal draft.
- Button Choose an activity to link
After saving a meditation in Tracking, the app may ask: Attach this meditation to a journal draft? → Choose. For reading and prayer, use Choose an activity to link in the editor.
Saving: no manual Save button
Section titled “Saving: no manual Save button”| Field | Saving |
|---|---|
| Title, content | Autosave (~1 s after typing stops) |
| Entry date, mood, tags, favorite | When you confirm in picker / sheet |
| Verses | On each add or edit (synced entry) |
| Tracking link | Dedicated action (often online) |
Offline, changes stay on device; the notes/journal banner may show no connection or pending sync.
Offline from the first tap
Section titled “Offline from the first tap”| Case | Behavior |
|---|---|
| No network when tapping Journal entry | Local draft (local_…) still created; sync when back online |
| Mood / tags | Reference lists may be unavailable — retry when connected |
| Verses | Wait-for-sync message until entry is synced |
| Link Tracking | Linking requires an internet connection. or Sync in progress — link this activity once saved online. |
You can write the whole entry offline; publish online to show it on another device in the Library.
After the first writing session
Section titled “After the first writing session”Resume later
Section titled “Resume later”Create → Journal → tap the row (title or Untitled).
Or Home → Journal to resume (No journal drafts. if empty).
Preview before publish
Section titled “Preview before publish”⋮ menu → View read-only — preview read layout (Journal screen) without publishing.
Publish (when ready)
Section titled “Publish (when ready)”- Set a title.
- ⋮ → Publish.
- Confirm Publish entry? — The entry will appear in the Library. Publishing closes this draft…
- Success: Entry published. — or Publish queued (offline).
Recommended first entry flow
Section titled “Recommended first entry flow”| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create → + → Journal entry |
| 2 | Title / theme (e.g. “Wednesday — gratitude”) |
| 3 | Check Entry date |
| 4 | Pick a Mood (optional) |
| 5 | Manage tags (optional) |
| 6 | Write Content |
| 7 | Add Bible references or from Search |
| 8 | Choose an activity to link if you logged Tracking that day |
| 9 | Publish → find the entry under Library → Journal |
Errors and useful messages
Section titled “Errors and useful messages”| Message | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Could not create the journal entry. | Server or network failure | Retry online |
| You already have an untitled journal entry… | Limit reached | Open draft and add a title |
| Could not load this entry. | Editor load failed | Retry on error screen |
| Could not update favorite. | Brief network issue | Retry |
| Error indicator on a field | Patch not sent | Check connection, edit field again |
Not covered here (see other guides)
Section titled “Not covered here (see other guides)”| Topic | Guide |
|---|---|
| Mood and tags in depth | Mood and tags |
| Publish, new version | Draft and publish |
| Tracking ↔ journal | Reading, prayer, meditation |
| Edit a published entry | Journal overview (New version…) |
Must I fill everything before leaving?
No. Autosave and local storage keep the draft.
Does the entry show on my other phone immediately?
After sync, and especially after publish (Library shows published only).
Can I create from Search?
Search adds verses to an existing draft; create the entry first via Create → + → Journal entry.
Why doesn’t Home open the editor directly?
Journal and New note go to Create; only Journal to resume reopens a known draft.
Can I export the entry as PDF?
No — PDF export is for published notes, not the journal.
Next steps
Section titled “Next steps”| Step | Link |
|---|---|
| Mood and tags | Mood and tags |
| Publish | Draft and publish |
| Find published entry | Library |