# Start here - ReviewDeck docs

> Make a library, add your first review, leave a note on it and bring your team in. About five minutes.

ReviewDeck 0.3.1. Checked 21 October 2026. https://reviewdeck.app/docs/start-here

## Make a library

A library is a folder that holds your reviews. Everyone who can open the folder sees the same library, and nothing is uploaded anywhere.

Clip (Shared drive): https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/make-a-library-nas.mp4
Clip (Cloud drive): https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/make-a-library-cloud.mp4
Clip (This computer): https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/make-a-library-local.mp4

1. (0:00) Click **No folder open** at the top left, then **Make folder…** The empty library has a **Make folder…** button too.
2. (0:04) Click **Choose location…** and pick the drive or folder the library goes in.
3. (0:16) Type a **Name**. The **Creates** line shows the folder it will make.
4. (0:20) Pick an option under **Where will this live?** (below).
5. (0:26) Click **Make library**.
6. (0:29) Click **+ New project**, type a name and press Enter.

### Where will this live?

- **Network share / NAS** - A NAS or shared drive your team all connect to. A colleague's notes reach you within seconds.
- **Cloud sync** - Inside Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or iCloud. A file may need to download before it plays.
- **Just this computer** - This computer only, just you.

The chip in the library's header shows the choice. Click it to change it later.

> **Good to know** Joining a library your team already has? Use **Open a folder…** and pick its folder instead.

## Add your first review

Each file you add becomes a review in the project, named after the file.

Clip (Drop files): https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/add-your-first-review-drop.mp4
Clip (Right-click): https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/add-your-first-review-pick.mp4

1. (0:00) Drag files from your computer onto the project. Or right-click the project and choose **Add media to review…**
2. (0:06) Wait while they import. A video is saved in three qualities, Fast, Normal and Quality. On a shared drive it opens on Fast, which loads quickest.
3. (0:11) Move the pointer across a card to scrub through it. Click it to open the review.

### What you can add

- Video
- Stills, EXR included
- A folder of numbered frames
- Audio
- 3D meshes and splats

More on file types in the [FAQ](/faq).

> **Good to know** Adding a file with the same name as a review asks whether to add it as that review's next version, keep both, or skip it.

## Leave a note

A note lands on the frame you're on. Draw on the picture to show what you mean.

Clip: https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/leave-a-note.mp4

1. (0:00) Play, then pause near the moment. The arrow keys step one frame at a time.
2. (0:06) Pick a tool under the picture (pen, box, circle, arrow or text) and draw on it.
3. (0:13) Type your note in the box beside the picture.
4. (0:22) Click **Add note at this frame**.

### Keys that help

- <kbd>Space</kbd> - Play or pause
- <kbd>←</kbd> <kbd>→</kbd> - One frame back or forward
- <kbd>Shift</kbd> <kbd>←</kbd> <kbd>→</kbd> - About a second back or forward
- <kbd>P</kbd> <kbd>B</kbd> <kbd>C</kbd> <kbd>A</kbd> <kbd>T</kbd> - Pen, box, circle, arrow, text
- <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> <kbd>Z</kbd> - Undo the last mark (<kbd>Cmd</kbd> <kbd>Z</kbd> on a Mac)

> **Good to know** Everyone's notes show on one timeline, each person in their own colour.

## Connect with others

A library is a folder, so sharing the folder shares the library. Everyone who opens it works in the same reviews.

Clip (Shared drive): https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/connect-with-others-nas.mp4
Clip (Cloud drive): https://reviewdeck.app/docs/clips/start-here/connect-with-others-cloud.mp4

1. (0:00) Send your team where the library is: its folder on the shared drive, or a link to the folder from your cloud drive.
2. (0:13) On their computer, each person clicks the folder menu at the top left, chooses **Open a folder…** and picks that folder.
3. (0:22) Everyone's notes land on one timeline, each person in their own colour, within seconds of being added.

On a cloud drive, share the folder from your cloud app first. Once it is in their drive, it syncs to their computer like any other folder. More in [Working as a team](/docs/working-as-a-team).

## Take the tour

The first time you open ReviewDeck, a tour of six cards shows you round: where your reviews live, how the folder is shared, adding media, the two tabs and Settings. It takes about a minute. Take it again any time from **Settings**, under **About**.

Something unclear or out of date? Email adam@adambroder.com.