You can save, back up, copy, move, and reopen your flashcards later, just like normal files on your computer.
Your Flashcards as Files
Many learning platforms store cards in an online account. That is convenient, but it also means your cards live in a system you do not fully control.
Pauk works differently. A deck is a local .pau file that you manage yourself:
- save it on your computer
- store it in your own folder
- copy it to a backup drive
- open it again later
- save it under a new name
- merge it with other
.paudecks
This keeps your flashcards tangible and under your control, not just entries in an online database.
No Portal Lock-in
Pauk is not built as a learning portal. You do not have to upload your decks to a cloud first to work with them.
This is especially useful when you study with your own material: scripts, summaries, notes, examples, or confidential exam content stay local files on your device.
Control Over Your File Organization
Because your decks are local files, you decide how to organize them.
You can create folders per subject, exam, or topic, archive a deck after an exam, and reuse it later.
Local Settings
Pauk stores app settings locally on your device, including language, intervals, optional AI settings, and snapshots under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Pauk\....
If you use optional AI features, you enter your own OpenAI API key. The key is stored locally and is not part of your lesson or snapshot files.
What Local Means in Pauk
- Your flashcards are stored as local
.paufiles. - Your decks are not tied to a web portal.
- You can back up and archive your files yourself.
- App settings are stored locally on your device.
- The OpenAI API key is not stored in deck files.
- Classic studying works without AI.
Local does not mean Pauk never uses network access. Downloads, updates, optional AI features, or technical checks can require internet connectivity. The key point remains: your flashcards are local files under your control.
Who Is This Useful For?
A local flashcard app is especially useful if you want to:
- keep your flashcards as your own files
- avoid portal lock-in
- avoid auto-uploading exam content to online systems
- back up and archive your decks yourself
- use a focused Windows app instead of a browser app