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
Download Pauk
Pauk is a local Windows flashcard app. You can save, open, edit, and study decks as .pau files.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Local Flashcard App
All questions centrally available on /en/faq/.
Does Pauk store my flashcards locally?
Yes. Pauk works with local .pau files. Your flashcard decks are files on your device and are not tied to a web portal.
Do I need an account?
For local decks and classic studying, you do not need a learning portal account. You can open, edit, save, and study decks without creating an online library first.
Are my cards automatically uploaded to a cloud?
No. Pauk is not built as a cloud portal. Your decks remain local files. If you use optional AI features, only the required content is sent to OpenAI.
Can I back up my decks myself?
Yes. Because Pauk uses .pau files, you can back up, copy, move, or archive your decks like normal files.
Can I use Pauk without AI?
Yes. Classic flashcards, local deck files, editing, saving, and studying work independently of AI. AI is optional.
Where is my OpenAI API key stored?
If you use optional AI features, you enter your own OpenAI API key in settings. The key is stored locally in app settings and is not embedded in your .pau deck files.
Does local mean Pauk never uses internet access?
No. Local mainly means your flashcards are local files under your control. Downloads, updates, optional AI features, and technical checks can use internet connectivity.
Can I move a deck to another computer?
Yes. You can copy the .pau file and open it on another computer. If you want to use AI features there, enter the OpenAI API key separately on that device.