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Data and Security

Explain where Styx stores your planning data, how account sync differs from guest mode, and how to protect or remove your information.

Purpose

Explain where Styx stores your planning data, how account sync differs from guest mode, and how to protect or remove your information.

Who this is for

  • guest users who want browser-only storage
  • authenticated users who want sync and cross-device access
  • people deciding whether to add a PIN, export a backup, or delete data

What you can do here

Styx gives you two main storage modes:

  • guest mode keeps data in the current browser
  • account mode syncs data to your account and adds cross-device continuity

From Settings and Account, you can also:

  • set or change a local PIN
  • export or import a portable TXT backup
  • clear local browser data
  • delete an authenticated account and its server-side data
  • choose your state or territory in Settings
  • manage reminders and trusted-person sharing when signed in

Step-by-step instructions

Use guest mode for local-only storage

  1. Start from the homepage or sign-in page and continue without creating an account.
  2. Use the dashboard and checklist normally.
  3. Keep in mind that your data stays in the current browser unless you export it or move it into an account later.

Guest mode is useful if you want to start quickly or keep planning on one device.

Use an account for sync and sharing

  1. Sign in or create an account from the login page.
  2. Continue working in the app.
  3. Your data will sync to your account instead of staying only in the browser.

Account mode is required for reminders, trusted-person sharing, and access from other devices. Styx still keeps a local browser cache, but the key difference is sync and continuity across sessions and devices.

Set up a PIN

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Find PIN Protection.
  3. Select Set Up PIN.
  4. Enter and confirm a PIN with at least 8 characters.

The PIN encrypts local browser data. If you forget it, Styx cannot recover that local data for you.

Export a backup

  1. Open Settings.
  2. In Data Export & Import, select Export TXT Backup.
  3. Save the downloaded file somewhere secure.

The TXT backup is the portable copy of your data. Settings also accepts legacy .json exports for import, but new exports are TXT files.

Import a backup

  1. Open Settings.
  2. In Data Export & Import, select Import TXT Backup.
  3. Choose a .txt backup file or a legacy .json export.
  4. Wait for the success message.

If the file is invalid, Styx shows an error instead of importing partial data.

Move guest data into an account

  1. Sign in or create an account in the same browser where your guest data already exists.
  2. Review the Local Data Found prompt.
  3. Choose Import to Account to keep the local browser data.

Choose Start Fresh only if you want to clear the local browser copy instead of importing it.

Clear local data

  1. Open Settings.
  2. In Danger Zone, select Clear All Data if you are in guest mode, or Clear Local Cache if you are signed in.
  3. Confirm the deletion.

Guest mode clears all local data. Signed-in mode clears only the browser cache; your server data stays on your account.

Delete an account

  1. Open Account from Settings.
  2. Scroll to Danger Zone.
  3. Select Delete Account.
  4. Confirm the deletion.

This permanently removes your account and server-side planning data. It does not just clear the browser cache.

Manage reminders

  1. Sign in to an account.
  2. Open Settings and find Reminders.
  3. Turn periodic reminders on or off, adjust frequency, or trigger a life-event review.

Reminders are account features. Guest mode does not use them.

Important caveats or limitations

  • Styx is not legal, financial, or tax advice.
  • Guest-mode data stays in the current browser unless you export it or migrate it into an account.
  • If you clear browser storage, reset the browser profile, or lose the device before exporting, guest data can be lost.
  • A PIN protects local data only. It does not replace an account password or a backup.
  • Account deletion is permanent and affects server-side data.
  • English is the only supported documentation language right now.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming guest data will appear automatically on another device.
  • Confusing local cache clearing with account deletion.
  • Forgetting that the TXT backup is the recovery path, not the PIN.
  • Expecting reminders or sharing to work without signing in.
  • Importing a backup in a different browser and expecting it to replace the original guest copy.

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