Features3 min readEasyUpdated Apr 28, 2026

Features

Journal

A private, encrypted space for longer-form reflection. Optional guided prompts; automatic sentiment tracking.

Quick answer

New entry → write as much or as little as you want. Optional title. Each entry is timestamped, sentiment-tagged automatically, and encrypted at rest with a per-user key. No one at Daybreak sees the contents.
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The check-in note field is for one sentence. The journal is for everything that doesn't fit there.

Writing an entry

Click 'New entry'

From the Journal page in the dashboard.

Optionally add a title

Helpful for finding entries later. Skip if you don't need one.

Write

No length minimum or maximum. A single line is fine; so are 1,000 words. Markdown formatting is rendered.

Save

Auto-save kicks in every 10 seconds. Closing the tab does not lose work.

Guided prompts

If you don't know what to write, the journal page suggests a daily prompt. Examples:

  • "What am I grateful for today?"
  • "What was challenging today, and how did I handle it?"
  • "Describe a moment today when I felt strong."
  • "What would I tell my future self about right now?"

Prompts rotate based on time of day and your recent check-in data — a high-craving day surfaces craving-related prompts; a high-mood day surfaces gratitude or reflection prompts.

You're not required to use them. They exist for the days when you want to write but the page is blank.

Sentiment tracking

Each saved entry is automatically tagged as positive, neutral, or negative based on a sentiment classifier that runs locally on the entry text. The tag appears as a small chip on the entry card and contributes to the overall sentiment line on the Progress page.

The classifier doesn't read content; it scores tokens. The tag is a rough signal, not a judgment.

Managing entries

  • Entries are listed reverse-chronologically.
  • Click an entry to expand and read it.
  • Click Edit to revise a past entry. Edits update the timestamp; the original is not preserved as a separate version.
  • Click Delete to remove an entry. Deletion is immediate and permanent — the entry is removed from primary storage and from the next backup rotation.
  • Search across all entries from the search bar at the top of the Journal page.

Privacy

  • Encrypted at rest with AES-256, using a per-user key.
  • Never used for AI training.
  • Never accessible to staff as part of normal operations.
  • Included in your data export as journal[] (see Data export).
  • Permanently deleted when you delete your account, with no copies retained beyond the standard backup rotation window.

Common pitfalls

Writing for an audience that isn't there

Most journals get bland because the writer is unconsciously performing for someone. Yours has a guarantee that no one else will read it. Write the version that's actually true.

Editing yesterday's entry to look better

Tempting after a hard day. Resist. The journal's value is the honest record. Add a new entry today reflecting on yesterday instead of revising history.

Next steps

  • Pair journaling with daily check-ins for the full picture.
  • Explore coping strategies — many show up first as journal observations.

Still need help?

Pick whichever way of getting help works best for you.

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