> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/crizmo/KAnki/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick start

> Get your first KAnki flashcard deck running in minutes

# Quick start

This guide will get you started with KAnki by walking through your first flashcard study session.

<Note>
  This guide assumes you've already [installed KAnki](/installation) on your jailbroken Kindle device. If you haven't installed KAnki yet, complete the installation first.
</Note>

## Understanding the interface

When you launch KAnki, you'll see:

### Header bar

* **KAnki logo** - App title in the top left
* **Progress display** - Shows current card number and total cards (e.g., "5/50")
* **Level display** - Shows the currently selected proficiency level

### Menu bar

* **Level buttons** - Filter cards by proficiency level (All Levels, N5, N4, etc.)
* **★ Star button** - Filter to show only starred (favorited) cards
* **↔ Flip button** - Reverse card direction (swap front and back)

### Card area

* **Level badge** - Shows the card's proficiency level
* **Star button (☆)** - Click to mark/unmark the card as starred
* **Front text** - The question or prompt
* **Back text** - The answer (hidden until you click Show Answer)
* **Notes** - Additional context or hints
* **Statistics** - View count and review history

### Control buttons

* **Show Answer** - Reveals the answer and interval buttons
* **Again** (\<10m) - Didn't know it, review in 10 minutes
* **Hard** (1d) - Knew it with difficulty, review in 1 day
* **Good** (3d) - Knew it well, review in 3 days
* **Easy** (4d) - Knew it perfectly, review in 4 days

## Your first study session

<Steps>
  <Step title="Launch KAnki">
    Open KAnki from your Kindle's home screen. You'll see your first flashcard.

    <Info>
      If this is your first time launching KAnki, you'll see the default Japanese vocabulary deck. Don't worry - you can customize this for any language later.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the front of the card">
    The card front displays the question or prompt. For language learning, this is typically:

    * The word in your target language (learning mode)
    * The word in your native language (reverse mode)

    Example: `こんにちは` (Japanese)

    Try to recall the answer before revealing it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Show the answer">
    Click the **Show Answer** button to reveal the back of the card.

    You'll see:

    * The answer text (e.g., "Hello")
    * Reading/pronunciation if available (e.g., "konnichiwa")
    * Notes or context (e.g., "Greeting")
    * View statistics (how many times you've seen this card)

    Four interval buttons will appear at the bottom.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rate your recall">
    Choose how well you knew the answer:

    <CardGroup cols={2}>
      <Card title="Again (<10m)" icon="xmark">
        You didn't know the answer or got it completely wrong. The card will reappear in less than 10 minutes.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Hard (1d)" icon="face-frown">
        You knew it but struggled or hesitated significantly. The card will reappear in 1 day.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Good (3d)" icon="face-smile">
        You knew the answer with reasonable confidence. The card will reappear in 3 days.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Easy (4d)" icon="face-laugh">
        You knew the answer instantly and perfectly. The card will reappear in 4 days.
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>

    Click the appropriate button. The next card will appear automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Continue studying">
    Repeat steps 2-4 for each card in your deck. Your progress is automatically saved after each card.

    <Note>
      KAnki uses localStorage to save your progress. You can safely close the app and continue later without losing your study history.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review incorrect answers">
    After completing your session, if you answered any cards incorrectly (clicked "Again"), KAnki will offer an **error review mode** to practice those difficult cards immediately.

    This helps reinforce challenging vocabulary before moving on.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Understanding spaced repetition

KAnki uses a spaced repetition algorithm to optimize your learning:

* **Cards you know well** appear less frequently (up to 4 days between reviews)
* **Cards you struggle with** appear more frequently (as soon as 10 minutes later)
* **Review timing** is based on your self-assessment (Again, Hard, Good, Easy)

This ensures you spend more time on difficult material and less time on words you already know.

## Filtering and customization

### Filter by proficiency level

Click any level button in the menu bar to study only cards from that level:

```
[All Levels] [N5] [N4] [N3] [N2] [N1]
```

For example, click **N5** to study only beginner vocabulary.

### Star important cards

Click the **☆** button on any card to mark it as starred (important). Starred cards get a filled star: **★**

Click the **★ Star** button in the menu bar to filter and show only your starred cards.

<Info>
  Starring is perfect for:

  * Words you want to review extra
  * Cards you keep getting wrong
  * High-frequency vocabulary you need to master
</Info>

### Reverse card direction

Click the **↔ Flip** button to reverse the learning direction:

* **Normal mode:** Target language → Native language (e.g., Japanese → English)
* **Reverse mode:** Native language → Target language (e.g., English → Japanese)

Reverse mode helps you practice active recall and production of vocabulary.

## Card statistics

Each card tracks:

* **Total views** - How many times you've seen this card
* **Review history** - Timestamps of your recent reviews

This helps you understand which cards you've studied most and identify problem areas.

## Resetting progress

If you want to start over or clear your data:

* **Reset Progress** - Clears all study statistics but keeps your deck
* **Reset All Data** - Returns to default deck and clears all progress

<Warning>
  Reset operations cannot be undone. Your study history will be permanently deleted.
</Warning>

## Common study workflows

### Daily review routine

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review due cards">
    Launch KAnki and study all cards that are due for review based on your previous ratings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add new cards">
    If you finish all due cards, KAnki will show new unseen cards to expand your vocabulary.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Focus on starred cards">
    Use the ★ Star filter to do a quick review of your most important or challenging vocabulary.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Practice reverse">
    Switch to ↔ Flip mode to practice producing the target language (harder but more effective).
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Targeted level study

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select your level">
    Click the level button for your current proficiency (e.g., A2 for CEFR, N4 for JLPT).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Master the level">
    Study all cards in that level until you can consistently rate them as "Good" or "Easy".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Move up">
    Once you've mastered a level, move to the next one (e.g., N4 → N3).
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Intensive error review

<Steps>
  <Step title="Study normally">
    Go through your regular study session, honestly rating each card.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review errors">
    When KAnki offers error review mode, accept it to immediately practice the cards you got wrong.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Star problem cards">
    Mark cards you consistently struggle with using the ☆ button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Focused practice">
    Later, use the ★ Star filter to do extra practice on your problem vocabulary.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tips for effective learning

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Be honest with ratings" icon="scale-balanced">
    Don't mark cards as "Easy" just to finish faster. Honest self-assessment leads to better learning.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Study consistently" icon="calendar-check">
    Daily 10-15 minute sessions are more effective than occasional long sessions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use reverse mode" icon="arrows-rotate">
    Practicing production (native → target) is harder but builds stronger recall.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Add context notes" icon="note-sticky">
    Good notes help you remember words better. Include example sentences or mnemonics.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Start with one level" icon="layer-group">
    Focus on mastering one proficiency level before moving to the next.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Review starred cards" icon="star">
    Do quick reviews of starred cards during spare moments throughout the day.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next steps

Now that you know the basics:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Customize your deck" icon="pen-to-square" href="/configuration/language-setup">
    Learn how to configure KAnki for different languages and customize your learning experience
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create better cards" icon="lightbulb" href="/configuration/deck-management">
    Discover best practices for creating effective flashcards and organizing your vocabulary
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use companion tools" icon="toolbox" href="/advanced/deck-editors">
    Explore web-based deck editors like Üben and KindleModShelf for easier deck management
  </Card>

  <Card title="Join the community" icon="users" href="https://discord.gg/JtcrpG7ECA">
    Connect with other KAnki users for tips, decks, and support
  </Card>
</CardGroup>