Branch Integrity

The app calls a user's private workspace a branch. In technical descriptions of the encrypted on-disk format and internal APIs, it is still called a vault.

Driftleaf encrypts notes and databases individually and verifies their integrity when they are opened. Damaged or incomplete encrypted content is reported rather than silently shown as valid data. Branch metadata and note files are also written in a way that protects against partially written files after an interruption.

When a branch opens, Driftleaf compares its encrypted index with the files on disk. It can recover some unindexed note files, but their original titles and folders may not be available because those details are encrypted separately. Database files that are no longer listed in the branch index are not automatically restored.

These safeguards cannot recover a forgotten passphrase or missing encrypted metadata. Backups are the reliable way to protect against device failure, deletion, or damage to important branch files. A full branch backup includes the hidden .driftleaf directory as well as the visible branch folder.

Backup creation, verification, and branch health checks are available in Settings → Diagnostics & Branch Health. For recovery scenarios and restoration details, see Branch Recovery.