Stuffolio is a comprehensive product management app that helps you track everything you own. This manual provides step-by-step instructions for using every feature on your Mac.
Requirements
Platform
Minimum Version
Mac
macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later
Navigation Overview
Stuffolio on Mac uses a sidebar navigation layout:
The sidebar on the left side of the window shows all sections
Click the sidebar icon (☰) or press ⌘⌃S to show/hide the sidebar
Main sections include:
Dashboard — Overview and quick access
My Items — Your inventory
Actions — Import, export, and utilities organized by Acquire, Own, Dispose
Insights — Reports and analytics
Stuff Scout — AI-powered identification and research
Click through the introduction screens or click Skip
Accessibility Options screen appears:
Review available accessibility features
Click Continue
Permissions screen appears:
Click Allow Notifications if you want warranty and maintenance reminders
You can skip this and enable it later in Settings
Click Get Started to enter the app
Understanding the Dashboard
On the Mac, the Dashboard is your home screen — accessed from the sidebar. Here's what each section shows:
Quick Stats Bar (at the top)
Scroll horizontally to see: Total Items, Purchase Cost, Current Value, Fun Fact
Click the chevron (⌄) to collapse this section
Needs Attention
Items with warranties expiring in 30 days
Overdue maintenance tasks
Items on loan that are due back
Items missing important information
Recently Added
Your most recently added items
Click any item to view its details
Activity Timeline (Mac only)
The Activity Timeline card shows your recent activity in chronological order — items added, edited, disposed, loaned, returned, or scanned with Stuff Scout — so you can see at a glance what you've been doing in your inventory.
Click any entry to jump to the affected item or action
Use the time-range selector (Today / Week / Month) to filter the view
Useful for catching unintended changes (great for shared households) and for picking up where you left off
Feature Cards
Quick access to: Stuff Scout, Smart Scanner, AI Assistant, Recall Check, Reports, Value Calculator
Keyboard shortcut: Press ⌘N from anywhere in the app
Menu bar: Go to File > New Item
Choose How to Add
The Add Item menu offers three simple options:
📷 Photo — Choose a photo from your library or paste from clipboard. AI automatically identifies your item and fills in details while the form appears instantly.
📱 Barcode — Scan a UPC barcode for quick product lookup.
✏️ Manual — Enter all details yourself.
Photo (Recommended)
The fastest way to add items — the form appears immediately while AI works in the background.
Click Photo
Choose how to add a photo:
Choose from Library — Select an existing photo
Paste from Clipboard — Use a copied image
The form appears immediately with your photo attached
For subscribers: AI fills in title, manufacturer, and estimated value automatically
Start editing other fields while AI works — no waiting!
💡 Tip: Use Stuffolio on your iPhone or iPad to take photos with your camera, then access them here via iCloud sync.
Barcode
Click Barcode
Use your Mac's camera to scan the UPC barcode
Product information fills in automatically
Manual
Click Manual
The Add Item form opens
Fill in the details (see "Filling Out the Add Item Form" below)
💡 Tip: To record a donation, add the item first, then go to Dispose Of → Donate to mark it as donated.
Filling Out the Add Item Form
The form has these fields (only Product Name is required):
Progressive Form Disclosure: The Add Item form uses collapsible sections to keep things organized. Basic fields are shown by default, and you can expand "Additional Details" sections to see more options. This makes it easier to focus on what you need without getting overwhelmed.
Step 1: Enter Basic Information
Product Name (Required) — Click the text field, type the product name (e.g., "Samsung 65-inch TV")
Manufacturer — Click the text field, type the brand name (e.g., "Samsung")
Model Number — Enter the model number from the product label (e.g., "QN65Q80CAFXZA")
Serial Number — Enter the serial number (important for warranty claims)
Step 2: Choose a Category
Click the Category dropdown menu
A list appears with 20+ categories: Electronics, Appliances, Furniture, Tools, Automotive, Sports, Kitchen & Dining, Personal Care, Antique/Collectable, Recreation (boats, RVs, ATVs, and other recreational vehicles), and more
Click to select the appropriate category
Tip: Items can belong to multiple categories (up to 5). A vintage lamp can be both "Antique/Collectable" and "Home & Furniture."
Step 3: Set Location
Click the Location field
Type where the item is stored (e.g., "Living Room", "Garage")
Step 4: Enter Purchase Information
Acquisition Type — Select how you got this item: Purchased New, Purchased Used, Inherited, Gifted, Found/Salvaged, or Not Specified. The form adapts based on your choice — gifts hide the price field, inherited items show provenance options
Purchase Date — Click the date field, use the picker or type directly (e.g., "1/15/2024")
Purchase Price — Enter the amount you paid (hidden for gifts and inherited items)
Additional Costs (Optional) — Shipping, taxes, accessories, or modifications. Stuffolio calculates your total investment automatically
Retailer (Optional) — Enter where you bought it
Tip: If you acquired an item below market value, Stuffolio detects it as a "great find" and highlights the savings.
Step 5: Enter Warranty Information
Warranty Expiration Date — Select the date your warranty ends
Warranty Type — Click to select: Standard, Extended, or Lifetime
Warranty Notes (Optional) — Add any coverage details
Step 6: Add Notes
Click the Notes field
Type any additional information (e.g., "Gift from Mom", "Bought on sale")
Step 7: Save the Item
Review all entered information
Click the Save button in the toolbar
Or press ⌘S to save
The item is added to your inventory
Using Collapsible Sections (Progressive Form Disclosure)
To keep forms organized and prevent information overload, Stuffolio uses collapsible sections in the Add Item form:
Essential fields are always visible at the top (Product Name, Manufacturer, etc.)
Additional sections can be expanded when needed:
Click the chevron icon (▶) next to a section heading to expand it
Click again (▼) to collapse the section
Common collapsible sections include: "Additional Details", "Warranty Information", "Maintenance", "Loans"
Sections remember their expanded/collapsed state while you're editing
This makes the form less cluttered and easier to navigate, especially when adding items with lots of details
Tip: Expand only the sections you need. You don't have to fill out every field — just enter what's relevant for each item.
Photos help identify products and serve as documentation for warranty claims. Stuffolio can also analyze your photos to automatically suggest categories and extract product details like brand, model, serial number, and price.
Photo Analysis Options
When you add a photo while creating or editing an item, Stuffolio can analyze it to help fill in item information:
Three Analysis Options
Option
What It Does
Best For
Suggest Category
Uses on-device AI to identify the product type
Product photos showing the item clearly
Extract Details
Uses cloud OCR to read text and fill form fields
Receipts, labels, nameplates with visible text
Just Add Photo
Adds the photo without analysis
Any photo you want to keep
Extract Details (OCR Auto-Fill)
The Extract Details option can automatically populate form fields by reading text from your photo:
What It Extracts
Brand/Manufacturer — From product labels or receipts
Model Number — From nameplates or packaging
Serial Number — From product labels
Purchase Price — From receipts
Purchase Date — From receipts
Store/Retailer — From receipts
How to Use
Add a photo showing a receipt, label, or nameplate
When the Photo Assessment appears, click Extract Details
Wait for OCR processing (requires internet)
Extracted fields are automatically filled in the form
Review and edit as needed
Tips for Best OCR Results:
Photograph labels and receipts straight-on (not at an angle)
Ensure good lighting with no shadows on text
Get close enough that text is clearly readable
For receipts, capture the full receipt including store name and date
Photo Quality Assessment
When you add a photo, Stuffolio analyzes it on-device to assess quality:
Blur Detection — Identifies if the photo is too blurry for reliable analysis
Text Detection — Checks if readable text is present (important for OCR)
Resolution Check — Ensures the image is high enough quality
Each analysis option shows a suitability indicator:
Good match — Photo is well-suited for this analysis
May work — Analysis might succeed, but results may vary
Poor match — Photo unlikely to yield good results
Method 1: Paste from Clipboard (Most Common on Mac)
Important: You must copy an image BEFORE clicking the Paste button. If nothing happens when you click Paste Image, no image is currently on your clipboard — go back and copy an image first.
Step 1: Copy an image to your clipboard
From the Photos app:
Open Photos
Find and select the image you want
Press ⌘C to copy
From Finder:
Navigate to the image file
Click to select it
Press ⌘C to copy
From a web browser:
Right-click on any image
Select Copy Image from the menu
Step 2: Paste into Stuffolio
Return to Stuffolio's Add/Edit Item window
In the Photos section, click the Paste Image button
The image appears in the Photos grid
Method 2: Drag and Drop
Open Finder or Photos app in a separate window
Arrange windows so you can see both Stuffolio and the source
Find the image you want to add
Click and hold the image file
Drag it over to Stuffolio's Photos section
When you see the drop zone highlight, release
Tip: You can drag multiple images at once by selecting several files in Finder (hold ⌘ while clicking), then dragging them all together.
Method 3: Choose File
In the Photos section, click the + button or Add Photo
Click Choose File from the menu
A file browser window opens
Navigate to your image file (Recent, Documents, Downloads, or iCloud Drive)
Click the image file to select it
Click Open
Managing Existing Photos
To view a photo full-size: Click any photo thumbnail. Scroll to zoom in/out. Click outside or press Escape to close.
To delete a photo: Hover over the photo, click the X button. Or select the photo and press Delete.
To reorder photos: Click and hold a photo thumbnail, drag to the new position. The first photo becomes the main item image.
Stuff Scout uses AI to identify antiques, collectibles, and unknown items from photos. Stuffolio's AI is user-initiated and non-ambient — nothing is analyzed or sent to external services unless you explicitly ask for help.
Opening Stuff Scout
Click Actions in the sidebar
Under Acquire, click Stuff Scout
Or click the Stuff Scout card on the Dashboard
Adding Photos
Since Mac doesn't have a built-in camera, you'll add existing photos:
Option A: Drag and Drop
Open Finder and navigate to your photos
Drag image files onto the Stuff Scout window
Drop when you see the highlight
Option B: Choose File
Click Add Photo
Click Choose File
Navigate to and select your image
Click Open
Option C: Paste from Clipboard
Copy an image (⌘C from Photos, Finder, or web)
Click Paste Image
Add Multiple Photos (Recommended)
For better identification, add photos showing:
Maker's Mark — Signatures, stamps, or labels
Bottom/Back — Often has identifying marks
Details — Close-ups of unique features
Damage — Any wear or repairs
You can add up to 5 photos.
Choose Scan Depth
Before starting analysis, select how thorough you want Stuff Scout to be:
Quick ID (~15 seconds) — Fast identification only. Best for when you just need to know what something is.
With Pricing (~25 seconds) — Identification plus marketplace verification and current value estimates. Recommended for most items.
Full Appraisal (~40 seconds) — Complete analysis including historical context, provenance research, condition assessment, and detailed valuation. Best for antiques, collectibles, and potentially valuable items.
Tip: Use Quick ID for everyday items you just want to catalog. Reserve Full Appraisal for items where detailed history and accurate valuation matter.
Identification Results
Click the Identify button and wait (time depends on your selected scan depth). Results include:
What It Is — Description of the item
Maker/Manufacturer — Who made it
Era — Approximate age or period
Estimated Value Range — Low to high market value
Rarity — Common to Extremely Rare
Background Processing
You don't need to keep Stuffolio in the foreground while Stuff Scout analyzes your photos:
After clicking Identify, you can switch to another app or minimize the window
Analysis continues in the background
When complete, you'll receive a notification: "Stuff Scout Complete"
Click the notification to view your results
Tip: Background processing is especially useful for antiques and collectibles that require more detailed analysis.
🎯 Confidence Gate
After every scan, Scout asks "Is this right?" with three paths:
Yes, that's it — Save the result as-is and continue to Add to Inventory.
Almost, I can add more — Opens the refinement flow (see Story-First Refinement below).
No, that's not it — Start over with a different approach — different photos, better angles, or a fresh identification attempt.
The Confidence Gate exists so you never accept a wrong answer by default. Scout won't stop asking until you tell it the identification is correct.
✍️ Story-First Refinement
When you choose "Almost, I can add more," a large text area invites you to describe what you know in plain language:
"This belonged to my grandfather, might be from the 1940s"
"Bought at an estate sale in rural Pennsylvania"
"The stamp on the bottom looks German to me"
Structured fields — maker's mark, serial number, era, model number — are collapsed as optional extras below the text area. Fill them in only if they help. Story first, form fields second.
Tips for best refinement results:
Add photos of any maker's marks, stamps, or labels (click Add or Paste from clipboard)
Be specific about brand names and model numbers if you know them
Mention visible markings, signatures, or patent numbers
Include known history or where you found the item
Each refinement uses 1 AI query from your allowance.
🧠 Context Veracity
Scout evaluates your notes critically, not as gospel:
Specific facts (artist names, serial numbers, museum attributions, patent dates) are verified against visual evidence.
Speculative guesses ("I think it might be old," "looks like something from the 1800s") are treated as hypotheses to investigate, not facts to accept.
The effect: speculation won't push Scout off course. You can write freely without worrying that a wrong guess will derail the identification.
📜 Refinement History
As you refine, Scout tracks how each round of added context changed the identification and valuation. After refining, you can see what Scout got right on the first pass, what changed after you added context, and how your notes shifted the value range or narrowed the era. Refinement History is your record of what the AI figured out on its own vs what you contributed.
🛍️ Category-Specific Valuation
Price verification routes to the right marketplaces based on what the item is — apples-to-apples comparisons, not generic listings:
Instruments — Checks Reverb for guitars, violins, synths, pro audio gear
Collectibles & Antiques — Checks eBay sold listings for dinnerware, figurines, memorabilia
Vintage Goods — Checks Etsy for handmade and vintage items
Scout picks the marketplace that matches your item's category so the value estimate reflects what it would actually sell for.
🔬 Research Tips
Scout suggests specific starting points for deeper research — forums, subreddits, reference databases, YouTube channels — matched to your item's category. For a vintage camera, that might include r/AnalogCommunity and CameraQuest. For a violin, the Maestronet forums. Starting points, not a walled garden.
Saving & Sharing Results
Add to Inventory: Click to open a preview sheet with pre-filled product details.
Save to History: Bookmark results for later without adding to inventory.
Copy Sections: Click the copy button next to any section (identification, pricing, history) to copy that text to your clipboard.
Export Full Report: Click Share to export the complete report via Messages, Mail, or any sharing method.
Value Auto-Update: Scout valuations automatically flow to your item's market price records, keeping value tracking current.
Receipt Pairing (Optional)
When adding a Stuff Scout result to inventory, you can pair it with a receipt to auto-fill purchase details:
Click Add to Inventory to open the preview sheet
In the Purchase Receipt section, click Add Receipt Photo
Select a photo of your receipt
Stuffolio extracts store name, purchase date, and price automatically
Review the extracted data, then click Add to Inventory to continue
Tip: Receipt Pairing combines product identification from Stuff Scout with purchase details from your receipt — creating complete records without manual typing.
Auto-fill from Receipt
If you've already attached receipt images to an item, you can extract purchase details without re-scanning:
Open the item and click Edit
Look for the Auto-fill from Receipt button in the Images section
Click it to have Stuffolio analyze your attached receipt images
Review the extracted store name, purchase date, and price
Click Save to apply the changes
Tip: Auto-fill from Receipt works with any receipt images you've already added — no need to import new photos.
Auto-Cached Recent Scans
Stuff Scout automatically saves your last 25 scans so you never lose an identification. Every time you complete a scan, it's automatically stored — no extra steps required.
Automatic saving — Scans are saved as soon as analysis completes
Last 25 scans kept — When you exceed 25, the oldest scan is automatically removed
No action needed — Just scan and your results are preserved
Tip: Recent scans are perfect for quick lookups. If you want to keep a scan forever, promote it to a Bookmark.
Scout History
Access all your past Stuff Scout identifications in Scout History, organized into two tabs:
Recent Tab
Shows your auto-cached scans (last 25):
Click any recent scan to view details
Right-click (or Control-click) and choose Save as Bookmark to keep it permanently
Click Clear All to remove all recent scans
Bookmarks Tab
Shows scans you've saved permanently:
Bookmarks never expire or get automatically deleted
Full data preserved: image, identification, maker, era, value range, historical context, collector notes
Add your own notes and tags to organize your collection
Right-click to delete individual bookmarks
Searching Scout History
Use the search field to find scans by item identification, maker, or era.
Tip: Found something valuable? Right-click any recent scan to save it as a permanent bookmark before it gets pushed out by newer scans. Bookmarks are perfect for items you want to research further before deciding to add to inventory.
Viewing Scout Results from Item Detail
Items added to your inventory via Stuff Scout retain a link to the original analysis. You can view the full Scout results at any time without re-scanning:
Open any item in the Item Inspector
If the item was added via Stuff Scout, you'll see a Stuff Scout section
Click View Scout Results to see the original analysis
The full results appear, including:
Identification and confidence level
Value estimates and recent sales data
Historical context and provenance
Collector notes and market demand
Note: Scout results are linked from Recent Scans (auto-cached last 25) or Bookmarks (permanent). If the original scan was removed from recent history and wasn't bookmarked, results may no longer be available. Bookmark important Scout results before adding items to preserve them permanently.
When you open an item, reference rows (serial number, model number, purchase date, etc.) display their value on the right. If the value is missing, you'll see — instead of a blank row.
Click the — placeholder to jump directly into editing that field. You don't have to open the full edit form and scroll to find it — the placeholder itself is the entry point.
Tip: This is the fastest way to backfill missing details on items you've already added. Scan your item list, click into each item, and fill in any — you spot.
Filtering Items
Click the filter dropdown or chips in the toolbar
Select: All, Active, Expiring, Expired, Lifetime, No Warranty, or Flagged
Click the filter again to clear it
Flagging Items for Review
Flag items you want to focus on — perfect for batch editing, adding missing details, or creating a “working set” of items to review.
To flag an item:
Right-click any item in the list
Click Flag for Review in the context menu
An orange flag icon appears on the item
To remove a flag:
Right-click the flagged item
Click Remove Flag
To view only flagged items:
Click the Flagged filter in the toolbar
Choose Flagged Only to see just your flagged items
Use cases:
Mark items that need photos added
Flag items missing warranty information
Create a “to-do” list of items needing attention
Temporarily group items for a specific task
Filter Presets
Save your favorite filter combinations for one-tap access to commonly-used views:
Creating a Filter Preset:
Apply filters to create the view you want (e.g., Category: Electronics + Status: Expiring)
Click the Save Filter button in the toolbar
Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Expiring Electronics")
Click Save
Using Filter Presets:
Click the Presets menu in the toolbar
Select any saved preset to apply those filters instantly
Presets appear as quick-access buttons for one-tap filtering
Managing Filter Presets:
To rename a preset: Right-click and select Rename
To delete a preset: Right-click and select Delete
To update a preset: Apply new filters, then click Update [Preset Name]
Example Presets: "High Value Items" (Value > $1000), "Expiring This Month" (Status: Warning), "Home Office Equipment" (Category: Electronics + Location: Office)
Sorting Items
Click the Sort button in the toolbar
Select: Date Added, Name, Purchase Date, Warranty Expiration, or Value
Searching for Items
Click the search field or press ⌘F
Type your search term
Results appear as you type
Press Escape to clear
Recent Searches
Stuffolio remembers your recent search terms for quick access:
Click the search field to see a list of your recent searches
Click any recent search to run it again instantly
Recent searches are saved across sessions
The list shows your last 10 searches
Tip: Use Recent Searches to quickly re-run common queries like "electronics" or "warranty expiring" without retyping.
Keyboard Navigation
↑ / ↓ — Move up/down in the list
Return — Open selected item
Delete — Delete selected item
Space — Quick Look preview
Context Menu (Right-Click)
Right-click any item for options: Edit, AI Assistant, Duplicate, Copy Information, Share, Flag for Review/Remove Flag, Delete
Item age, expected lifespan, warranty status, estimated remaining value
Brand Intelligence
Your history with this brand — average ratings, would-buy-again rate, other items from same manufacturer
AI Alternatives
Optional: fetch alternative products from trusted review sources (requires network)
Decision Summary
Confidence level and three clear action paths
Confidence Levels
The advisor uses your actual item data — age, warranty status, condition, purchase price, and your history with that brand — to score each recommendation. The more data you provide, the better the advice:
High Confidence: You've rated the item AND provided lifespan/warranty details
Medium Confidence: Some data available but not complete
Exploratory: Limited data — these are options to consider, not firm recommendations
Red flags to watch for (affiliate-heavy language, no hands-on testing)
How to cross-reference multiple sources
Philosophy: Your own ratings, brand history, and experience are the most trustworthy data you have. This feature surfaces that first, then offers tools to help you think — not shop.
Click Warranty Expiration Date and select the date
Click Warranty Type: Standard, Extended, or Lifetime
Optionally add Warranty Notes
For existing items:
Open the item
Click Edit in the toolbar
Fill in the warranty fields
Click Save or press ⌘S
Warranty Status Badges
Active — Warranty currently valid
Warning — Expiring within 30 days
Expired — No longer covered
Lifetime — Permanent coverage
Setting Warranty Reminders
Go to Settings (or press ⌘,)
Click Notifications
Toggle on Warranty Expiring and Coverage Phase Changes
Set Advance Notice: 7, 14, or 30 days before
Tip: With Coverage Phase Changes enabled, you'll receive notifications before your warranty transitions (e.g., 30 days before Full → Parts Only).
Coverage Types
Different warranties offer different levels of coverage:
Type
What's Covered
Example
Full Coverage
Parts + Labor
Factory warranty on new appliance
Parts Only
Replacement parts (you pay labor)
Extended coverage years 2-3
Labor Only
Labor costs (you pay for parts)
Service contracts
Limited
Specific components only
Powertrain warranty on vehicles
To set coverage type: Expand the Coverage Phases section, add a coverage phase, and select the appropriate type.
Coverage Phases (Tiered Warranties)
Many warranties change coverage over time. For example, a 5-year appliance warranty might offer:
Year 1: Full coverage (parts + labor)
Years 2-3: Parts only
Years 4-5: Limited coverage
To add coverage phases:
Expand the Coverage Phases section (it's a top-level section in the form)
Click Add Coverage Phase
Optionally specify a component name (for component-based warranties)
Select the coverage type for this phase
Set the start and end dates
Optionally add a deductible amount
Click Save
Repeat for additional phases
Note: Coverage phases can be added when creating a new item or when editing an existing item.
The detail view shows your current coverage phase and when the next change occurs.
Component-Based Warranties
Some items have different warranty periods for different components. For example, EGO Power+ tools offer:
Batteries & Chargers: 3 years full coverage
Outdoor Equipment: 5 years full coverage
To track component-based warranties:
Add a coverage phase and enter the component name (e.g., "Battery")
Set the coverage type and dates for that component
Add additional phases for other components with different coverage periods
Stuffolio suggests common component names based on your item's category. You can also enter custom component names.
Tracking Deductibles
Record out-of-pocket costs for warranty claims:
Expand the Coverage Phases section
When adding or editing a coverage phase, enter the Deductible amount
For tiered warranties, you can set different deductibles per phase
AppleCare+ Tracking
Stuffolio makes it easy to track AppleCare+ coverage for your Apple products.
Automatic AppleCare+ Prompt
When you save an Apple product (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, or HomePod), Stuffolio automatically detects it and asks if you want to add AppleCare+ details:
A prompt sheet appears after saving
Choose Add AppleCare+ to open the Extended Warranty form
The form is pre-filled with "Apple" as the provider and AppleCare+ pre-selected
Just add your coverage dates and policy number
AppleCare+ Badge
Products with AppleCare+ display a distinctive Care+ badge:
Blue badge — AppleCare+ is currently active
Gray badge — AppleCare+ has expired
The badge appears in both the item list and the detail view header for quick identification.
Where to Find Your AppleCare+ Details
Stuffolio provides helpful hints on where to find your AppleCare+ information:
On your device: Settings → General → About → Coverage (iOS/iPadOS) or About This Mac → Service (macOS)
Email: Search for "AppleCare" in your inbox for purchase confirmation
Adding AppleCare+ to Existing Items
Open the item's detail view
Click Edit in the toolbar (or press ⌘E)
Scroll to Extended Warranty section
Toggle Is AppleCare+ to on
Fill in your coverage dates and policy number
Click Save (or press ⌘S)
Quick Edit from Dashboard
You can also open AppleCare+ Tracking directly from the Dashboard. If you only have one Apple product, Stuffolio skips the picker and opens the editor right away — no need to navigate to the product first. Update incidents used, service fees, and coverage dates without opening the full product editor.
RMA & Warranty Claim Tracking
Track warranty claims and returns from start to finish with RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) tracking.
Starting an RMA
Open the item you're claiming
Scroll to Warranty section
Click Track RMA/Claim
Enter claim details:
RMA Number: Authorization number from the manufacturer
Claim Date: When you filed the claim
Issue Description: What's wrong with the item
Status: Pending, Approved, Shipped, In Progress, Completed
Click Save
Tracking Shipping
Outbound tracking: Enter the tracking number when you ship the item
Return tracking: Add the tracking number for the replacement/repair
Click tracking numbers to open carrier websites
Customer Support Interaction Logging
Never start from scratch on your third call to customer service. Log every support interaction.
Logging a Support Interaction
Open the item
Scroll to Support History section
Click Log Interaction
Enter details:
Date & Time: When you contacted them
Contact Method: Phone, Email, Chat, In-Person
Rep Name: Who you spoke with
Case/Ticket Number: Reference number
Notes: What was discussed and promised
Follow-up Date: When to call back
Click Save
Tip: Log interactions immediately after each call while details are fresh. Include specific promises for reference on follow-up calls.
Stuffolio automatically suggests maintenance schedules based on your item's category — no more guessing when to service your items.
How Smart Suggestions Work
When you add or edit an item, Stuffolio checks the category
If maintenance presets exist for that category, a suggestion appears
Click the suggestion to review the recommended schedule
Accept the suggestion or customize it for your needs
Category-Based Presets
Here are some examples of built-in maintenance suggestions:
Category
Suggested Maintenance
Frequency
HVAC Equipment
Replace air filter
Every 90 days
Appliances
Clean condenser coils
Every 6 months
Vehicles
Oil change
Every 5,000 miles or 6 months
Outdoor Power Equipment
Replace spark plug
Annually
Pool/Spa Equipment
Check water chemistry
Weekly
Accepting a Suggestion
When the suggestion banner appears, click View Suggestion
Review the maintenance task and frequency
Click Add to Schedule to accept
The maintenance task is added with the suggested frequency
Customizing Suggestions
If the default doesn't fit your usage:
Click Customize instead of accepting directly
Adjust the frequency (more or less often)
Modify the task description if needed
Click Save to add your customized schedule
Dismissing Suggestions
Click Dismiss to hide a suggestion you don't need
Dismissed suggestions won't appear again for that item
You can still add maintenance manually at any time
Tip: Smart suggestions learn from common maintenance needs. If you have heavy-use appliances (like in a large family), consider shortening the suggested intervals.
Understand how your belongings fit with your insurance coverage.
Setting Up Your Insurance Profile
Go to Settings > Insurance Profile
Enter coverage details (total limit, per-item limit, deductible)
Click Save
You can also set an Insured Value per item to track exactly what each item is covered for.
Identifying Coverage Gaps
Stuffolio identifies items exceeding per-item limits and categories that may need additional coverage. It also alerts you when replacement cost data is inferred from an old purchase price (see Stale Replacement Cost Warnings below).
Stale Replacement Cost Warnings
Stuffolio calculates each item's replacement cost for insurance purposes. If you haven't entered an explicit replacement cost, Stuffolio falls back to the purchase price. That fallback is fine for recent items — but a 5-year-old TV's purchase price isn't what it would actually cost to replace today.
When the warning triggers: You'll see a stale-cost alert on any item that (a) has no explicit replacement cost set and (b) was purchased more than 2 years ago. The warning appears on the item detail view and in Coverage Insights.
How to clear the warning:
Open the affected item
Click Edit
Scroll to the Replacement Cost field
Enter today's cost to replace the item (check current marketplace prices, or use Stuff Scout to get a valuation)
Click Save
Tip: If you're not sure what the replacement cost is, running Stuff Scout on the item with the "With Pricing" scan depth gives you a current-market estimate in about 25 seconds. Scout valuations flow directly to the replacement cost field.
Claim Prep Kit
When disaster strikes, generate a complete claim package with photos, receipts, serial numbers, and value estimates.
Available options: Sold, Donated, Gifted, Recycled, Returned, Trashed, Lost, Stolen
Disposing of an Item
Open the item's detail view
Click the action menu (•••)
Select Dispose of Item
Choose the disposal method and fill in details
Donations: IRS Threshold Prompts
When you mark an item as Donated, Stuffolio prompts you to enter a Fair Market Value (FMV) — the price the item would sell for between a willing buyer and willing seller on the donation date. FMV is what you'll use on your tax return, not the original purchase price.
The donation sheet gives you contextual guidance based on the value:
Under $500: Standard donation record — organization name, date, FMV, and optional receipt photo are enough for most filings.
$500 – $5,000: IRS Form 8283 Section A territory. Stuffolio flags that you'll need to file this form if your total non-cash donations exceed $500 for the year, and reminds you to save the receipt.
Over $5,000: IRS Form 8283 Section B territory. A qualified written appraisal is typically required. Stuffolio notes this in the donation record and encourages you to attach the appraisal document.
Note: These prompts are general guidance and reflect IRS thresholds at the time this manual was written. Tax rules change. Consult a tax professional or the current IRS Publication 561 ("Determining the Value of Donated Property") for your specific situation.
Lost & Stolen Items
For lost items, record the date and circumstances. For stolen items, also record the police report number. Track insurance claim status for both.
Tip: Use the Claim Prep Kit before marking items as lost or stolen to have documentation ready for insurance.
Viewing & Restoring Disposed Items
Find disposed items in My Items > Archive. Click Restore to Inventory to bring back accidentally disposed or recovered items.
Note: You must use the same Apple ID on all devices for sync to work.
How Sync Works
Automatic — Changes sync in the background
Near-instant — Usually syncs within seconds
Conflict resolution — Most recent change wins
Sync Status
In Settings > Data, look for:
✓ Synced — All data is up to date
↻ Syncing — Currently uploading/downloading
⚠️ Offline — No internet connection
Offline Mode & Auto-Sync
New in Sprint 5: Stuffolio now works seamlessly even when you're offline.
How Offline Mode Works
Make changes offline — Add, edit, or delete items without an internet connection
Automatic queuing — All changes are saved locally and queued for sync
Auto-sync when online — When your Mac reconnects to the internet, queued changes sync automatically
No manual action needed — You don't need to press any buttons or trigger sync manually
What You Can Do Offline
Add new items
Edit existing items
Add photos (they'll upload when you're back online)
Delete items
Browse your inventory
Search and filter items
Viewing Pending Changes
While offline, you can see how many changes are waiting to sync:
Go to Settings > Data
Look for the sync status indicator
If offline, it shows: "Offline — X changes pending"
When you reconnect, these changes upload automatically
Tip: Offline mode is perfect for inventory work in areas with poor connectivity, like garages, basements, or storage units. Just keep working — everything syncs when you're back online.
Conflict Resolution
If you edit the same item on multiple devices while offline:
The most recent change wins
Stuffolio uses timestamps to determine which version to keep
No data is lost — earlier versions are preserved in sync history
Create a shared household where family members can view and manage shared items together. Real-time sync powered by CloudKit keeps everyone updated instantly.
Requirements
iCloud Sync must be enabled in Settings
All participants need Apple IDs and iCloud accounts
macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later on all Macs
Creating a Household (Owner)
Go to Settings → Data → Family Sharing (or press ⌘, then click Data)
Click Create Household (or Start Sharing)
Enter the email address of the person you want to invite
Select their permission level:
Viewer — Can see shared products but not edit
Editor — Can add, edit, and delete shared products
Admin — Full control including managing other members
Click Send Invitation
Joining a Household (Participant)
You'll receive a notification or email when someone invites you
Click the invitation link, or go to Settings → Data → Family Sharing
Click Accept Invitation
Shared products will automatically sync to your Mac
Sharing an Item with Your Household
Select any item in your inventory
In the Inspector (right sidebar), find the Sharing section
Check Share with Household
The item immediately syncs to all household members
To stop sharing an item, uncheck the option. The item remains in your inventory but is removed from other members' shared items.
Managing Household Members
In Settings → Data → Family Sharing, household owners and admins can:
See all family members and their permission levels
Change someone's permission level (click their name)
Remove a member (select and press ⌫ or click Remove)
View pending invitations
Leave the household (if you're a participant)
Understanding Shared Items
Shared products display a household badge icon
You can see who added each item and from which device
Changes sync in real-time to all family members
The "Added by" label shows the original sharer's name
"Last modified by" shows who made the most recent change
Real-Time Sync
Household Sharing uses CloudKit push notifications for real-time updates:
When someone adds or edits a shared item, your Mac updates within seconds
A sync indicator appears briefly in the toolbar when changes are being applied
Press ⌘R or choose View → Refresh to manually sync
Offline Support
You can work with shared items even without internet:
View and edit shared items while offline
Changes are queued automatically
When you're back online, changes sync in the background
If someone else edited the same item while you were offline, you'll see a conflict prompt
Conflict Resolution
If two people edit the same item at the same time, Stuffolio detects the conflict:
A notification alerts you that a conflict was detected
You can view both versions side-by-side in a comparison window
Choose to:
Keep Local — Use your version
Keep Remote — Use the other person's version
Merge — Combine changes intelligently
Keep Both — Create a duplicate item
Tip: Use Household Sharing for appliances, vehicles, furniture, and electronics that the whole family uses. Each person can also keep their own personal items private.
Important: Only share with people you trust. Members with Editor permissions can modify or delete shared products. Only items you explicitly mark as "Share with Household" are visible to others.
Record who should receive your personal belongings. Legacy Wishes helps you document your preferences for family and loved ones.
Important: Legacy Wishes is not a will or legal document. It simply records your wishes about personal belongings. For legally binding arrangements, consult an attorney.
Enabling Legacy Wishes
Go to Settings > Legacy Planning (or use ⌘,)
Toggle on Enable Legacy Wishes
Legacy Wishes appears in the sidebar
Adding Recipients
Click Legacy Wishes in the sidebar
Click Recipients
Click + Add Recipient
Enter name, relationship, and optional details
Click Save
Assigning Items
Open any item's detail view
Scroll to Legacy Wishes section
Click Assign This Item
Select recipient(s) and fallback disposition
Click Save
Browsing Your Wishes with Thumbnails
The Legacy Wishes list shows a thumbnail of each assigned item next to the recipient's name — not just a text label. At a glance you can see what you're giving to whom, which is especially useful when you have a dozen items assigned to the same person or similar items going to different people.
Items without photos show a category icon in place of a thumbnail
Click any row to open that item and review or change the assignment
Group by recipient to see the complete list of what each person is receiving
Sharing Your Wishes
Export as PDF — Create a document to print or email
Share with Family — Let family view in-app (View Only or View & Input)
Receiving Shared Wishes
When someone shares their Legacy Wishes with you:
Click the iCloud share link they send you
Stuffolio opens (download from Mac App Store if needed)
Accept the share invitation
View anytime in Legacy Wishes → Shared with Me
You'll see all recipients, assigned items, fallback plans, and notes — clearly marked as "View Only."
Family Collaboration
When the owner enables View & Input permission, you can indicate preferences:
Interested — "I'd like this item"
No Preference — Neutral
Declined — "I don't need this"
Your input helps the owner make decisions. They always have final say.
Stuffolio on Mac supports extensive keyboard shortcuts for power users.
Global Shortcuts
Shortcut
Action
⌘K
Open Go To
⌘N
Add New Product
⌘,
Open Settings
⌘W
Close Window
⌘Q
Quit Stuffolio
Navigation Shortcuts
Shortcut
Action
⌘1
Go to Dashboard
⌘2
Go to My Items
⌘3
Go to Actions
⌘4
Go to Insights
⌘5
Go to Stuff Scout
⌘6
Go to Legacy Wishes
⌘⌃S
Toggle Sidebar
Product List Shortcuts
Shortcut
Action
↑ / ↓
Navigate up/down
Return
Open selected product
Delete
Delete selected product
Space
Quick Look preview
⌘F
Focus search field
⌘A
Select all products
Editing Shortcuts
Shortcut
Action
⌘S
Save changes
⌘Z
Undo
⌘⇧Z
Redo
⌘C
Copy
⌘V
Paste
Escape
Cancel / Close
Using Go To (⌘K)
Go To is Stuffolio's command palette — a quick way to navigate anywhere in the app, launch actions, access tools, and get help without leaving your current screen. Inspired by Spotlight and VS Code's command palette. Features like Value Calculator, Settings, and Depreciation open directly — you land right where you want to be.
Opening Go To
Press ⌘K anywhere in the app
Or click Go To in the toolbar
How to Use
Press ⌘K to open Go To
Start typing to search — results filter instantly
Use ↑ / ↓ arrow keys to navigate results
Press Return to select the highlighted item
Press Escape to close without selecting
Tip: You don't need to type exact names. Go To searches titles, subtitles, and keywords. For example, typing "warranty" finds Notifications, Depreciation Tracking, and related items.
Go To Categories
Results are organized into six categories with 27 total commands:
Actions (8 commands)
Item
Description
Keywords
Add Product
Create a new product entry
new, create, item
Scan Barcode
Add product by scanning UPC/QR code
camera, upc, qr
Import from CSV
Import products from spreadsheet
spreadsheet, excel, data
Export to CSV
Export products to spreadsheet
spreadsheet, download
Export to PDF
Generate PDF inventory report
report, print, document
Backup Data
Create a backup of your data
save, archive, protect
Restore Data
Restore from a previous backup
recover, undo
Bulk Operations
Edit multiple products at once
batch, mass, multiple
Navigation (6 destinations)
Item
Description
Keywords
Dashboard
Overview of your inventory
home, summary, main
My Items
Browse and manage your inventory
items, list, browse, stuff
Actions
Import, export, and utilities
utilities, scanner, tools
Insights
Analytics and reports
analytics, stats, reports
Settings
App settings and configuration
preferences, config
Legacy Wishes
Record who gets what
inheritance, recipient, estate, will
Utilities (3 items)
Item
Description
Keywords
AI Product Assistant
Get AI-powered help with products
assistant, manual, troubleshoot
Check Recalls
Check for product safety recalls
safety, warning, cpsc
Verify Inventory
Verify and count your inventory
verify, check, count, audit
Reports (3 items)
Item
Description
Keywords
Inventory Insights
Charts and statistics
analytics, statistics, charts
Value Calculator
Calculate total inventory value
worth, money, cost, price
Depreciation Tracking
Track asset value over time
decline, assets, accounting
Help (3 items)
Item
Description
Keywords
Getting Started
Learn how to use Stuffolio
guide, tutorial, learn
Icon Guide
What the icons and symbols mean
symbols, meaning, legend
Filter & Sort Help
How to filter and sort products
organize, find
Settings (4 items)
Item
Description
Keywords
Cloud Sync
iCloud sync configuration
icloud, backup, devices
Notifications
Warranty expiration alerts
alerts, reminders, expiring
Data Management
Import, export, and reset data
storage, reset, clear
About Stuffolio
Version and support info
version, support, contact
Search Tips
Type any word — Search matches titles, descriptions, and keywords
Use abbreviations — "AI" finds AI Product Assistant
Use synonyms — "inventory" finds My Items
Partial words work — "back" finds Backup Data and Restore Data
Action words — "add", "export", "scan" jump to relevant actions
Keyboard Navigation
Key
Action
⌘K
Open Go To
↑ / ↓
Navigate results
Return
Open selected item
Escape
Close Go To
Note: Go To helps you navigate to features, tools, and help within Stuffolio. To search your products, go to My Items where the search bar is always visible.
Stuffolio is designed to be accessible to everyone, with comprehensive support for assistive technologies and keyboard-only navigation.
Adaptive Font Scaling
Stuffolio automatically scales smaller fonts up on Mac displays for comfortable desktop reading. Text that looks fine on an iPhone can feel tiny on a 27" monitor — Stuffolio adjusts font sizes so labels, captions, and secondary text remain readable without squinting.
VoiceOver Support
Full VoiceOver support throughout the app with enhanced, descriptive labels. To enable: Press ⌘F5 or go to System Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver.
Enhanced VoiceOver Labels
Stuffolio provides detailed, context-rich announcements when using VoiceOver:
Product Listings: VoiceOver announces the product name, manufacturer, category, and current warranty status
Status Badges: Warranty status is announced as "Active warranty", "Warning - expiring soon", "Expired warranty", or "Lifetime warranty"
Interactive Elements: All buttons, links, and controls include descriptive labels explaining their purpose
Forms: Input fields include hints about expected values and format
Images: Product photos include meaningful descriptions
Example VoiceOver Announcement:
"Samsung 65-inch TV, manufactured by Samsung, Electronics category, Active warranty, button"
Tip: Use VoiceOver's Item Chooser (VO+I) to quickly jump to specific products or sections.
Enhanced Keyboard Navigation
Stuffolio has been optimized for keyboard-only users with improved focus management and navigation shortcuts.
Enabling Full Keyboard Access
Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard
Enable Full Keyboard Access
Use Tab to move between controls
Use Space to activate buttons
Keyboard Navigation Improvements
Focus Indicators: Clear, high-contrast focus rings show which element is selected
Logical Tab Order: Tab moves through elements in a predictable, logical order
Skip Links: Jump to main content areas without tabbing through everything
Form Navigation: Press Tab to move forward, Shift+Tab to move backward
List Navigation: Arrow keys (↑↓) navigate product lists efficiently