# Start here — Memeography 0.2.1

1. Extract the **whole ZIP** into a normal folder on your computer, preferably outside OneDrive. Do not run files from inside the ZIP.
2. Double-click **Start-Memeography.cmd**. Node.js 22.12 or newer is required. The starter explains how to install it if missing. The first start downloads pinned packages with install scripts disabled and builds the app; internet access is needed for that initial download.
3. Your browser opens when ready. Choose a local password of at least 12 characters and keep it somewhere safe.
4. Add a few trusted photos or UTF-8 notes, or try the fictional sample memories. **AI starts off.** You can add recollections and assemble your story without an AI account.
5. Under **More → Privacy & exports**, make a backup. Copy the **entire backups folder**, including `deletions.json` and `pool`, to a private external drive regularly.
6. To stop safely, press **Ctrl+C** in the app window and wait for shutdown before closing it.

## Your collection

New collections use `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Memeography\data`; backups use `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Memeography\backups`. Existing adjacent `.local-data` collections from older versions are preserved. Setting the first local password adopts the previous Demo owner A collection without replacing it. The second demo collection remains separate and requires explicitly enabled demo mode.

The password protects access through the app. It does not encrypt files or backups; protect your Windows account and use device encryption. No real media, credentials or AI key are included in this ZIP.

## Recovery

Close the app and double-click **Restore-Memeography.cmd**. Keep the complete latest backup folder together: its independent deletion journal prevents old backups from reviving removed memories. Missing or damaged journal data stops recovery instead of guessing. For a legacy backup without this journal, first open the intact original collection with 0.2.1 and make a new backup.

Restores and resets retain the previous collection in a recovery folder instead of erasing it. Those retained folders, downloaded exports and independently copied backups must be managed separately. Older backup database snapshots keep text details until pruned; restored collections reapply the deletion journal.

## Optional AI

See `docs/ai-setup.md` only if you want selected content sent to the configured AI service. A key and explicit consent are required. Pictures require permission on each analysis request. Hidden GPS metadata is excluded; locations in your writing or visible in pictures can still be sent. All generated output remains a suggestion for you to review. Check current provider prices when enabling AI and set provider-side spending controls as well.

## Current scope

This is the private **Windows local edition**, supporting JPEG/PNG/WebP photos, UTF-8 notes, Takeout ZIP imports, owner recollections, reviewed suggestions, chapters, exports and managed backups. Exports are bounded to 128 MiB; use smaller chapter groups for large collections. Audio/video originals may be retained but are not understood. The local format scanner is not antivirus: import trusted personal media.

Google Photos API connection, online multiuser hosting, S3 storage and production malware scanning are not part of this release. Keep this app on loopback; do not expose it to the internet. See **RELEASE-NOTES-0.2.1.md** and **release-evidence/REPAIR-003.md** for fixes and verification. Original 0.2.0 instructions are preserved under `handoff` for historical reference.