# Scratchpad notes

Capture rough notes, understand autosave, and review suggested actions.

## Write and save notes

Open **Overview** and write in **Scratchpad**. Use it for rough ideas, reminders, URLs, and work you have not organised yet. Notes support Markdown input and autosave as you work; check the save status before quitting or switching away.

A scratchpad holds up to 50,000 characters. Split longer reference material across [documents](/guide/knowledge/documents/). If a paste exceeds the limit, shorten it and try again.

If saving fails, use **Retry save**. When leaving with an unsaved scratchpad, Orbit lets you keep editing, retry saving and leave, or discard the unsaved changes. Resolve the error before relying on the notes being stored.

## Generate actions

1. Write the notes you want to organise.
2. Select the sparkle button labelled **Generate actions**.
3. Wait for the **Review suggested actions** dialog to open.
4. Edit the suggestions and deselect anything you do not want.
5. Select **Save selected actions**.

Suggestions can include links, documents, cards, and project details such as the name, description, status, or a tag. A card needs a destination list. Review project-detail changes carefully: a proposed description or name replaces its current value.

Your original notes stay unchanged when selected actions are saved. Generating a preview alone does not apply its proposed project changes.

## Use notes without AI

Writing and saving notes do not require an AI connection. If the scratchpad contains only a single URL, **Generate actions** can suggest saving it as a link without AI.

Several URLs or a URL mixed with other text need a [Scratchpad AI connection](/guide/integrations/scratchpad-ai/). AI can also suggest tasks, documents, and project changes from your notes.

Using AI suggestions sends the scratchpad and basic project details to the chosen provider. Keep credentials in Secrets and exclude sensitive text you do not want sent to that provider.

## Recover from a conflict

If another window or AI client has changed the project, Orbit may ask you to reload it before saving. Copy any notes you need to keep, choose **Reload project**, and compare your draft with the saved notes before retrying.