Setup Guide

Synced Scratchpad — Chrome Extension — takes about five minutes, done once per machine.

Install the Extension

Install Synced Scratchpad from the Chrome Web Store and pin it to your toolbar so the icon is always visible.

Works in Google Chrome and any Chromium-based browser that supports Manifest V3 extensions, including Microsoft Edge and Brave.

Step 1 — Create a Secret Gist

A Gist is a simple file-hosting service built into GitHub. You will create one private text file that the extension uses as its storage. It lives entirely in your GitHub account.

  1. Go to gist.github.com and sign in if prompted.
  2. In the Gist description field, enter anything — for example: Scratchpad
  3. In the filename field, type exactly: scratchpad.txt
  4. In the content area, type anything — it will be overwritten on first save.
  5. Click Create secret gist.

After the page loads, look at the URL in your browser's address bar:

https://gist.github.com/your-username/abc123def456abc123def456abc123de

The long string at the end is your Gist ID. Copy it and keep it handy — you will need it in Step 3.

Step 2 — Create a Personal Access Token

A Personal Access Token (PAT) lets the extension read and write your Gist on your behalf. You will create one with the minimum possible permissions — Gist access only.

  1. Go to github.com/settings/tokens
    (or: GitHub → profile photo → Settings → Developer settings → Personal access tokens → Tokens (classic))
  2. Click Generate new token → Generate new token (classic).
  3. Give it a name, for example: Scratchpad extension
  4. Set an expiration, or choose No expiration if you prefer not to redo this.
  5. Under Select scopes, check only gist — nothing else is needed.
  6. Click Generate token.
The token is displayed only once. Copy it now before leaving the page.

Step 3 — Connect the Extension

  1. Click the Synced Scratchpad icon in your browser toolbar.
  2. Paste your Personal Access Token into the first field.
  3. Paste your Gist ID into the second field.
  4. Click Connect.

The extension will verify your credentials by fetching the Gist. If it succeeds, your scratchpad opens and is ready to use.

Setting Up Additional Machines

On each additional browser or machine, install the extension and complete Step 3 using the same Gist ID and the same Personal Access Token you created above. You do not need to create a new Gist or a new token.

Each machine reads from and writes to the same Gist. The next time you open the popup on any machine, it fetches the latest content automatically.

Common Questions

The extension says "Could not connect" when I click Connect.

Double-check that your Gist ID is copied correctly from the URL — it is the long hash after your username with no slashes. Also confirm your token has the gist scope and has not expired. If you regenerate the token, return to the extension settings and reconnect with the new one.

How do I update my token after it expires?

Generate a new token following Step 2, then click the settings icon (top-right corner of the popup) to re-open the setup form. Enter your Gist ID and the new token and click Connect.

My changes on one machine aren't showing up on another.

Close and reopen the popup on the other machine. The extension fetches fresh content every time the popup opens — there is no background sync while the popup is closed.

Is my data private?

Yes. Your text is stored in your own GitHub Gist under your account. Your token is stored only on your device and is never sent to us. We operate no servers and collect no data. See the full Privacy Policy for details.

Can I use this with browsers other than Chrome?

Yes — any Chromium-based browser that supports Manifest V3 extensions will work, including Microsoft Edge and Brave. Install the extension there the same way and connect using your existing Gist ID and token.