# FAQ & troubleshooting

Quick answers about getting started, projects, compilation, assistants, and backups.

## Getting started

### Do I need an account?

No. Download Oleafly, open it, and write. Optional services such as a cloud AI provider or GitHub use their own accounts.

### Does Oleafly support LaTeX, Typst, and Markdown?

Yes. Choose the engine when you create a project. Each engine has its own editing and export capabilities. The [quickstart](/docs/getting-started/) walks through your first PDF.

### Can I bring an existing paper or resume?

Yes. Import project source, a ZIP archive, or a Git repository. Oleafly also has conversion paths for DOCX and text-based PDFs. Read [Bring an existing project](/docs/import-project/) to choose the right route.

### Can I work offline?

You can write, organize files, use local proofreading, and run a downloaded local AI model without a cloud connection. Tectonic can compile with cached packages. New packages, remote references, cloud models, GitHub, and downloads need a connection. Prepare a project with a successful compile before you take it offline.

### Where are my files?

Your projects are ordinary folders in your local library. You can copy them, back them up, or open them in another tool. [Where your data lives](/docs/where-your-data-lives/) explains project files, app settings, and checkpoints.

### Can I use Oleafly for a thesis or resume?

Yes. Start with the [thesis workflow](/docs/workflows/thesis/) or [resume workflow](/docs/workflows/resume/). Both use the same editor, preview, references, and export tools as a research paper.

## Installing

### The operating system blocks the installer

Check that the file came from the [official releases](https://github.com/Oleafly/Oleafly/releases/latest) and matches your platform. Follow the [installation guide](/docs/install/#first-launch) for the platform's first-launch steps.

### Which Linux package should I use?

Choose the architecture that matches your computer and either the AppImage or Debian package. See [Linux installation](/docs/install/#linux) for system requirements.

## Compiling

### My first compile is slow

Tectonic may need to download packages used by this document. They are cached for later builds. Open [Logs](/docs/compiling/#reading-the-logs) to see what is happening.

### A package is missing

If Tectonic's offline mode is enabled, turn it off for one compile to fetch the package. For a system TeX toolchain, check [LaTeX engines & packages](/docs/latex-engines/).

### The compile finished with warnings

Open **Logs** and check undefined citations and references first. [Preflight](/docs/preflight/) helps find the affected source locations before you export.

### I do not understand a build error

Ask the assistant to read the log, fix the error, and compile again. Use **Ask for approval** when you want to review proposed actions along the way. You can also post the log in the help forum on [Discord](/discord).

### Why is an export format missing?

Available formats depend on the engine and document type. Check the [export table](/docs/export/#editable-formats).

## AI assistants

### Which assistant can I use?

Connect a model provider, use a local model, or choose a [CLI agent](/docs/cli-agents/). [Set up AI](/docs/ai-setup/) covers each route.

### Do I need AI to use the editor?

No. Writing, compilation, citations, previews, diagrams, project history, and exports are available without an assistant.

### What can the assistant do?

It can work with project files, look up sources, inspect a PDF, create figures, run tools, and help repair a build. Choose a plan and approval policy that suits the work. See [Chat & tools](/docs/ai-chat/).

### What does Verified mean beside a model?

The model passed a tool-call probe. It helps you choose a model for project actions; it does not evaluate the quality of its writing or research. See [Set up AI](/docs/ai-setup/).

### Why is usage shown as Unknown?

Some providers and CLI agents do not report usage. Unknown means the value is unavailable. Read [Usage & budgets](/docs/ai-usage/).

### Can I connect an external assistant?

Yes. Use a built-in [CLI agent connection](/docs/cli-agents/) or enable Oleafly's local [MCP server](/docs/mcp/).

## History and collaboration

### How do I recover an earlier version?

Open [Checkpoints](/docs/checkpoints/) to compare source from successful builds and restore a version. Use [Source Control](/docs/git-history/) for Git commits you manage yourself.

### Can I work with a co-author?

Share source archives or use [GitHub sync](/docs/github-sync/) to exchange commits. Agree on when to pull and push so each person starts from the latest shared version.

### Does exporting source back up everything?

It backs up the project source. Automatic checkpoints, app preferences, and credentials live separately. Follow the [backup guide](/docs/where-your-data-lives/#back-up-your-work) to include what you need.

## Report a problem

Open **Settings → Help & About → Copy Info** and include those details with a short description, steps to reproduce the problem, and the relevant log. Report it in [Issues](https://github.com/Oleafly/Oleafly/issues); use the [Discord community](/discord) for questions and workflow help.