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Guest Mode

Explain how to use Styx without creating an account, what guest mode includes, and what its limits are.

Purpose

Explain how to use Styx without creating an account, what guest mode includes, and what its limits are.

Who this is for

  • people who want to start planning immediately without signing up
  • people who prefer browser-only storage on one device
  • people who want to try Styx before deciding whether to create an account

What you can do here

In guest mode, you can use the core planning experience without an account. That includes:

  • working through all seven checklist sections and 51 planning items
  • saving checklist progress, notes, contacts, assets, and documents in the current browser
  • choosing your state or territory to see jurisdiction-aware guidance and resources
  • protecting local data with an optional PIN
  • exporting or importing a portable TXT backup from Settings
  • later moving your local data into an account from the same browser

Guest mode does not sync data to Styx servers or across devices.

Step-by-step instructions

Start in guest mode

You can enter guest mode in either of these ways:

  1. On the homepage, select Start planning in this browser.
  2. On the sign-in page, select Continue without an account.
  3. Review the welcome disclaimer and continue into the app.

After that, Styx opens the dashboard and keeps your progress in the current browser.

Set your state or territory

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Find the State or Territory section.
  3. Choose your state or territory.
  4. Save the selection.

This controls the guidance and resources Styx shows while you work.

Use the checklist

  1. Open any section from the dashboard.
  2. Update item status as you make progress.
  3. Add notes, contacts, assets, and documents where relevant.
  4. Return to the dashboard to track overall progress.

Your changes stay local to this browser in guest mode.

Add local PIN protection

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

Use a PIN you can remember. If you forget it, Styx cannot recover locally encrypted data for you.

Export a backup

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Data Export & Import.
  3. Select Export TXT Backup.
  4. Store the downloaded file somewhere secure.

This is the safest way to keep a portable copy of guest-mode data.

Move guest data into an account later

  1. In the same browser where your guest data already exists, create an account or sign in.
  2. When Styx shows Local Data Found, review the summary.
  3. Select Import to Account if you want to keep your browser data.

If you choose Start Fresh, Styx clears the local guest data instead of importing it.

Important caveats or limitations

  • Styx is an experimental planning tool and not legal, financial, or tax advice.
  • Guest-mode data stays on the current browser only unless you export a backup or migrate it into an account.
  • Guest mode is not a sync feature. Opening Styx on another device or browser will not bring your guest data with it.
  • Synced reminders and trusted-person sharing require an authenticated account.
  • If you clear browser storage, reset the browser profile, or lose access to the device before exporting, your guest data may be lost.
  • PIN protection is optional, but forgotten PINs cannot be reset.
  • English is the only supported documentation language right now.
  • Territory-specific legal overlays may be intentionally limited while legal review is still in progress.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming guest mode will follow you to another browser, device, or profile automatically.
  • Waiting too long to export a TXT backup.
  • Setting a PIN and not storing it somewhere safe.
  • Signing into an account on a different browser and expecting guest data to appear there.
  • Choosing Start Fresh in the migration prompt when you meant to keep local data.

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