> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.papers.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.papers.ai/managing-projects-and-files/working-offline-and-syncing.md).

# Working offline and syncing

Temporary and local projects work offline by default. Everything is already in your browser or on your device. Cloud projects also keep working offline: your edits save locally and sync automatically once you reconnect.

## What happens when you lose connection

A status indicator shows your current state: **Saved**, **Connected**, **Connecting...**, or **Offline**. Keep editing regardless. There's no separate "go offline" step, and no manual "sync now" button to remember. When you reconnect, Papers AI resolves everything automatically, including edits two collaborators made to the same text while both were offline.

## Diagnosing a stuck or broken state

Two different problems can look similar. Tell them apart before troubleshooting further:

{% hint style="warning" %}
**A permissions problem**: your role changed to view-only, or your access was removed. Check [Share a project and manage access](/collaborating/share-a-project-and-manage-access.md).

**A connectivity problem**: the status indicator is stuck on **Connecting...** or **Offline**. Reconnect and give it a moment.
{% endhint %}

If a file changed outside your current session (for example, a local folder edited by another program), you'll be asked to **Keep mine** or **Load external** before continuing.

## Things to know

* Images, PDFs, and other binary attachments sync through a separate path from text. If one fails (too large, unsupported type, or storage full), your text edits still show as **Saved**. Watch for a separate toast about the failed attachment.
* A local folder project can lose disk permission mid-session, for example if you close and reopen the browser. Re-grant it to resume writing to disk.
* If sync looks broken after reconnecting, [Version history](/writing-and-editing/version-history.md) is the way to recover a known-good state.

## Troubleshooting

<details>

<summary>Stuck on Offline or Connecting for a long time</summary>

Check your network, then reopen the project.

</details>

<details>

<summary>A collaborator says they can't see your latest changes</summary>

Check for a failed attachment-sync toast. Text and attachments sync separately.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Still can't edit after reconnecting</summary>

Your role or access may have changed. Check sharing settings.

</details>

## Next steps

* [The file tree](/managing-projects-and-files/the-file-tree.md)
* [Version history](/writing-and-editing/version-history.md)
* [Share a project and manage access](/collaborating/share-a-project-and-manage-access.md)