Creating a User

Sign in or create an account

Choose a supported sign-in provider and select the account you want to use. Returning users keep the same research identity. New accounts are set up through the same sign-in flow, without a required recovery-word ceremony.

On desktop, ResearchOS creates a notebook in your Documents folder and remembers it. You normally do not need to choose a folder each time you open the app. In a browser, you may need to select your notebook and grant access again when the browser asks.

Your account and your notebook

Your account connects your profile, lab membership and sharing identity. Signing in does not download a notebook automatically. On another computer, open your existing notebook or restore a backup before continuing your work.

Each person should use their own notebook. Join a lab through its invitation to collaborate, rather than creating several people inside the same folder. See lab setup and cloud backups.

Account access without memorized keys

For supported provider accounts, ResearchOS manages your encryption identity and stores a protected copy on the device. Verified account sign-in can recover that identity on another device. Recovery codes are an optional additional backup, not a normal login requirement.

Older or offline identities

An older notebook may still have keys protected only by a recovery code or a trusted device. Sign-in cannot recreate a lost secret. If ResearchOS cannot link that identity safely, keep the notebook and try the device where it was last unlocked. Do not replace the identity to get past an error.

Local-only and email-code setup can still use the older recovery flow. Keep any recovery information offered by that flow until you have linked the identity to a supported provider account.

Using another notebook

On desktop, use File > Open Folder or Open Recent. Opening a different notebook does not move or delete the current one. In the browser, use the folder controls when you need to select a different notebook.