User Guide Overview
This guide will help you get the most out of Hive-Pal for your beekeeping management. Below is an overview of the main features and functionality.
Getting Started
After installing Hive-Pal, you'll need to:
- Create an account: Register with your email and password
- Set up your first apiary: Create at least one apiary to get started
- Add hives: Add your existing hives to the system
- Record inspections: Begin tracking your hive inspections
Main Features
Getting Around
- Apiary Management — create and manage multiple apiary locations with GPS and notes.
- Hive Management — track individual hives, box setup, status, and history.
- Quick Actions (FAB) — the floating button for fast inspection, scheduling, and actions.
Inspections
- Inspections — detailed records with subjective ratings or data-driven counts.
- Quick Check — fast, tag-based field observations.
- Batch Inspections — inspect many hives in one guided run.
- Scheduled Inspections — plan ahead using the weather forecast.
- Audio & AI Transcription — speak your notes and let AI structure them.
- Bulk Add — apply an inspection, action, or queen to many hives at once.
Colony Management
- Queen Management — details, marking, movement history, and transfers.
- Equipment — plan and track equipment against target hive counts.
- Harvests — log and track honey harvests.
- Weather — forecasts and conditions tied to your apiaries.
Data & Devices
- QR Codes — print labels that scan straight to a hive or inspection.
- Import & Export — back up or migrate your account data.
- Calendar — past and upcoming inspections across all apiaries.
- Reports & Analytics — trends for health, feeding, scores, and honey.
- Apiary Assistant — ask questions about your hives in plain language.
- HiveScale Integration — live weight, temperature, and off-grid telemetry from HiveScale devices.
Tools & Account
- Beekeeping Tools — free syrup calculator, brood timeline, and swarm management.
- Logging In — password, magic link, and passkey sign-in.
- Account & Settings — password, files, and preferences.
Mobile Usage
Hive-Pal is designed with mobile usage in mind, making it ideal for:
- Recording inspections while at the apiary
- Quickly checking hive histories in the field
- Adding notes and observations on the go
Data Privacy
As a self-hosted application, all your beekeeping data remains under your control. Your sensitive information never leaves your server unless you choose to export it.
Getting Help
If you encounter issues or have questions about using Hive-Pal:
- Check the troubleshooting section
- Visit the GitHub repository for the latest updates
- Report bugs or request features through GitHub issues