From df8a4dac708a7693b6b76d0279c4541febfff11c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Anthony Stirling <77850077+Frooodle@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2026 21:02:01 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] no login --- docs/Getting Started.md | 2 +- docs/Installation/Mac.md | 13 +++++++------ docs/Installation/Unix.md | 19 ++++++++++--------- docs/Installation/Windows.md | 23 ++++++++++++----------- 4 files changed, 30 insertions(+), 27 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/Getting Started.md b/docs/Getting Started.md index ec775743..36160b10 100644 --- a/docs/Getting Started.md +++ b/docs/Getting Started.md @@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ Native apps with system integration: | **Mac (Intel)** | [DMG](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/mac-x86_64-installer.dmg) | [Mac Guide](./Installation/Mac.md) | | **Linux** | [DEB](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/linux-installer.deb) | [Unix Guide](./Installation/Unix.md) | -**Features:** Fast startup, "Open with" integration, sign in with Stirling Cloud or self-hosted server +**Features:** Fast startup, "Open with" integration, no login required, optional server connection for advanced tools --- diff --git a/docs/Installation/Mac.md b/docs/Installation/Mac.md index d3116009..8bffeff3 100644 --- a/docs/Installation/Mac.md +++ b/docs/Installation/Mac.md @@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ Native Mac desktop app with all PDF tools available. ### What You Get - ✅ **Native macOS application** - Optimized for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs -- ✅ **Sign in to start** - Choose Stirling Cloud or your self-hosted server on launch (required before using tools) -- ✅ **Processes files locally after login** - Most tools run offline once signed in -- ✅ **Stirling Cloud login is offline-only today** - SaaS sign-in keeps processing on your Mac; optional cloud assists for advanced tasks are planned for a future release -- ✅ **All features included** - Every PDF tool available +- ✅ **No login required** - Install and start using PDF tools right away +- ✅ **Processes files locally** - All your PDF processing stays on your Mac +- ✅ **Optional server connection** - Connect to Stirling Cloud or your own self-hosted server for advanced tools like OCR and document conversions +- ✅ **All local tools included** - Merge, split, rotate, sign, and more work without any server - ✅ **Better performance** - Native speed on M1/M2/M3 chips - ✅ **No external browser needed** - Uses the built-in window - ✅ **Menu bar integration** - Feels like a native Mac app @@ -64,8 +64,9 @@ The app will now open normally every time! ### Using the Desktop App 1. Launch Stirling PDF -2. Sign in with your Stirling Cloud account or enter the URL for your self-hosted server. -3. After login, use the in-app interface to upload or drag-and-drop files into the window. +2. Start using local PDF tools right away - no login needed +3. Upload or drag-and-drop files into the window +4. Optionally connect to Stirling Cloud or a self-hosted server for advanced tools like OCR and document conversions **Making Stirling PDF your default PDF viewer:** 1. Right-click (or Control+click) any PDF file diff --git a/docs/Installation/Unix.md b/docs/Installation/Unix.md index 106e066e..649a69b0 100644 --- a/docs/Installation/Unix.md +++ b/docs/Installation/Unix.md @@ -19,9 +19,10 @@ Native Linux desktop app with all PDF tools available. - ✅ **Native Linux application** - Integrated with your desktop environment - ✅ **Open PDFs directly** - Double-click any PDF to open in Stirling-PDF -- ✅ **Sign in to start** - Choose Stirling Cloud or your self-hosted server on launch (required before using tools) -- ✅ **Processes files locally after sign-in** - All your PDF processing stays on your device -- ✅ **All features included** - Every PDF tool available +- ✅ **No login required** - Install and start using PDF tools right away +- ✅ **Processes files locally** - All your PDF processing stays on your device +- ✅ **Optional server connection** - Connect to Stirling Cloud or your own self-hosted server for advanced tools like OCR and document conversions +- ✅ **All local tools included** - Merge, split, rotate, sign, and more work without any server - ✅ **Better performance** - Native Linux integration - ✅ **No browser needed** - Standalone application @@ -41,19 +42,19 @@ sudo dpkg -i linux-installer.deb - Search for "Stirling-PDF" in your application menu, or - Run `stirling-pdf` from the terminal -### Choosing your connection +### Connecting to a server -On first launch, you'll be prompted to choose how to connect: +The desktop app works fully offline for local PDF tools like merging, splitting, rotating, and signing. If you need advanced server-side features like OCR or document format conversions, you can connect to a server at any time: **Stirling Cloud** - Sign in with your Stirling Cloud account -- All PDF processing stays on your device — your files never leave your machine -- Login is required because optional cloud assists for advanced tasks are planned for a future release +- Gives access to advanced tools powered by server-side processing +- Your files are processed securely and never stored **Self-hosted Server** - Enter the URL of your own Stirling-PDF server instance (e.g., `http://192.168.1.53:8080`) -- Files are processed on your server, keeping data under your control -- Useful for team deployments or running your own Stirling-PDF server +- Full control over your data and processing +- Useful for team deployments or when you want all features on your own infrastructure --- diff --git a/docs/Installation/Windows.md b/docs/Installation/Windows.md index f78c8768..56064828 100644 --- a/docs/Installation/Windows.md +++ b/docs/Installation/Windows.md @@ -15,9 +15,10 @@ Stirling PDF for Windows comes in two versions: a **Desktop Application** for pe - ✅ **Native Windows application** - Feels like a built-in Windows program - ✅ **Open PDFs directly** - Double-click any PDF to open in Stirling PDF -- ✅ **Sign in to start** - Choose Stirling Cloud or your self-hosted server on first launch (required before using tools) -- ✅ **Processes files locally after sign-in** - All your PDF processing stays on your device -- ✅ **All features included** - Every PDF tool available +- ✅ **No login required** - Install and start using PDF tools right away +- ✅ **Processes files locally** - All your PDF processing stays on your device +- ✅ **Optional server connection** - Connect to Stirling Cloud or your own self-hosted server for advanced tools like OCR and document conversions +- ✅ **All local tools included** - Merge, split, rotate, sign, and more work without any server - ✅ **Automatic updates** - Stay current with latest features - ✅ **Better performance** - Optimized for Windows - ✅ **No browser needed** - Standalone application @@ -27,22 +28,22 @@ Stirling PDF for Windows comes in two versions: a **Desktop Application** for pe 1. **Download**: [Stirling PDF Desktop Installer](https://files.stirlingpdf.com/win-installer.exe) 2. **Run the installer** - Follow the prompts (installs to `C:\Program Files\Stirling-PDF`) 3. **Launch from Start Menu** - Search for "Stirling PDF" -4. **Sign in** - Choose how to connect (see [Choosing your connection](#choosing-your-connection) below) -5. **Start working with PDFs!** +4. **Start working with PDFs!** +5. **Optionally connect a server** - For advanced tools, see [Connecting to a server](#connecting-to-a-server) below -### Choosing your connection +### Connecting to a server -On first launch, you'll be prompted to choose how to connect: +The desktop app works fully offline for local PDF tools like merging, splitting, rotating, and signing. If you need advanced server-side features like OCR or document format conversions, you can connect to a server at any time: **Stirling Cloud** - Sign in with your Stirling Cloud account -- All PDF processing stays on your device — your files never leave your machine -- Login is required because optional cloud assists for advanced tasks are planned for a future release +- Gives access to advanced tools powered by server-side processing +- Your files are processed securely and never stored **Self-hosted Server** - Enter the URL of your own Stirling PDF server instance (e.g., `http://192.168.1.53:8080`) -- Files are processed on your server, keeping data under your control -- Useful for team deployments or running your own Stirling PDF server +- Full control over your data and processing +- Useful for team deployments or when you want all features on your own infrastructure ### Using the Desktop App