Turn document piles into a navigable map.
FileCanvas is a desktop workspace for PDF review, evidence linking, and timeline building. Drag files in, extract snippets, connect ideas with labeled arrows, and export clean summaries. Local-first and offline.
How It Works
Drag PDFs onto the canvas or use batch import for large sets. Each file becomes a visual tile you can arrange spatially.
Open a PDF, highlight key passages, and extract snippets. Pin them to the canvas and link them back to their source.
Create timeline tiles for chronological mapping. Add dates, notes, and link events to source documents.
Export your visual map as PDF or PNG. Generate a connection summary report in Markdown-ready format.
Release Updates
Get notified about major releases and new capabilities. No spam.
Pricing
- All core FileCanvas features
- Unlimited projects and tiles
- Export: PNG/PDF + connection summary
- Download each new release manually from GitHub
- Everything in the open-source version
- Automatic app updates on new releases
- No subscription
- One-time purchase per device/license key
Secure checkout powered by Lemon Squeezy.
Downloads
Latest release (v1.1.3) downloads directly below. Install manually from GitHub releases, or use the one-time Auto-Update License when available.
All releases: github.com/Jimaloo/filecanvas-downloads/releases
Key Features
Review PDFs with precise region extraction and pin snippets directly to your canvas.
Draw arrows with labels, snapping, and context actions to keep relationships readable.
Create chronological timelines for case analysis. Add events with dates and source links.
Snippets stay tethered to their source documents for fast verification.
Import multiple PDFs and images at once. Files auto-arrange in a grid.
Export canvas as PNG/PDF and connection summaries to Markdown. Updates install automatically.
Latest Updates
Desktop auto-updater with GitHub Releases, faster arrow rendering, improved persistence, and refined PDF snippet linking.
Timeline tiles, batch import, PDF export, connection summary reports, and improved PDF text extraction.
Core canvas workflow: drag-and-drop files, markdown notes, visual connections, PDF review tools, project organization, and local SQLite storage.
Roadmap
FAQ
Locally on your machine. We don't have a server for your data.
Yes, 100%. It's designed to work primarily offline.
Yes. The desktop app checks GitHub Releases and installs updates when available.
Because FileCanvas is independently developed, you may see a security warning. To open it:
- Right-click the app and select Open.
- If "Open Anyway" doesn't appear, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and scroll down to the Security section. Click Open Anyway.
- Advanced: Run this in Terminal to remove the warning:
xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/FileCanvas.app