Offline use

JuryBinder is designed to work without internet. Offline capability is not a workaround — it is the intended operating mode during trial.

What works offline

Everything that matters during voir dire and the strike phase works without an internet connection:

• Opening, viewing, and editing case files
• Recording notes, flags, and favorability ratings
• Running flag rules and viewing results
• Recording oral voir dire observations
• Recording strikes and seating jurors
• Exporting case files and the Clean Export
• Privacy Mode

When internet is required

JuryBinder contacts the license server in three situations only. None of them transmit case data.

Event	Requires internet	Data sent to server
First license activation	Yes	License key only
Creating a new case	Yes	License key + a random case UUID
30-day token check-in	Yes (brief, background)	License key only

In all three cases, the data sent to the server is limited to your license key and, when registering a case, a randomly generated UUID that has no connection to your case name, jurors, or any trial content. For more about what the license server does and doesn't receive, see No-Server Architecture.

Using JuryBinder in a courtroom

Most courtrooms have unreliable or no Wi-Fi. JuryBinder is designed for this. The recommended workflow:

1. Before you leave for the courthouse — open JuryBinder and confirm your case file loads. This ensures the latest version of the app is cached and your file is accessible.
2. At the courthouse — open JuryBinder normally. No internet required.
3. After court — if you're approaching the 30-day check-in, JuryBinder refreshes your token automatically the next time you're connected.

If your session token has expired and you can't reach the server, you'll see a notice at the top of the welcome screen. You can still open and work in any existing case file — you just can't create a new case until connectivity is restored.

Saving work offline

JuryBinder auto-saves your work to the browser's private local storage (OPFS) every two seconds. If your browser tab closes unexpectedly, your work is recoverable from this local copy the next time you open JuryBinder.

JuryBinder also saves immediately when your device's screen locks, when you switch apps, or when the browser tab loses focus — so your latest changes are captured even if you're interrupted.

To save a permanent copy to your device's file system:

• Desktop (Chrome or Edge): Select Save — JuryBinder writes directly to the .jbinder file on disk.
• iPad (Safari): Select Export — JuryBinder writes the file to your Files app or iCloud Drive.

Don't rely on browser storage as your only backup

Local storage can be cleared by the browser, especially on iOS when device storage is low. Always export your .jbinder file to your device's file system after significant work sessions. Treat the local storage copy as a crash-recovery buffer, not your primary backup.