Getting StartedSetup

Get up and running with the Cook Android app in just a few minutes.

Download from Google Play

The Cook app is available for free on Google Play. Search for "Cook - Recipe Manager" or use the direct link below.

Requirements: Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later. Compatible with phones and tablets.

First Launch

When you first open the app, you'll see a welcome screen introducing you to Cooklang - the simple recipe markup language that powers Cook.

Tap Continue to proceed to the sync setup.

Choosing a Sync Method

The app will ask you to choose how you want to sync your recipes. You have two options:

CookCloud (Recommended)

The easiest option. Create a free CookCloud account and your recipes sync automatically across all devices. Works on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux.

  • Free account with generous storage
  • Automatic sync across all platforms
  • Works with the desktop app and CookBot terminal
  • No configuration needed

Local Folder

Choose a folder on your device to store recipes. Recipes stay on your device only. Good for testing or manual file management.

Note: With Local Folder, recipes won't automatically sync to other devices. You'll need to manage files manually.

Signing In

If you chose CookCloud, you'll need to sign in or create an account.

New Users

  1. Tap Sign Up
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Enter your name and choose a username
  4. Check your email for a verification code
  5. Enter the code in the app
  6. You're all set!

Existing Users

  1. Enter your email address
  2. Check your email for a login code
  3. Enter the code to sign in

No password needed! We use secure email-based authentication. Each time you sign in, you'll receive a fresh code.

Resending the Code

If you don't receive the verification code, wait a moment and tap Resend Code. There's a short cooldown between resend attempts.

Adding Recipes

If this is your first time using Cook, you probably don't have any recipes yet. Here's how to add them:

Sample Recipes

The app includes sample recipes to help you get started. You can unpack these from the recipe screen if your collection is empty.

Using the Desktop App

The easiest way to add recipes is through the Cook desktop app or CookBot terminal application:

  1. Download the desktop app for your computer
  2. Sign in with the same account
  3. Add recipes to your recipes folder
  4. Recipes sync automatically to your Android device

Using Local Folders

If you're using local folder sync:

  1. Use Android's file picker to select a folder
  2. Add .cook files to this folder using a file manager
  3. Pull to refresh in the app to see your recipes

Learn Cooklang: Recipes are written in Cooklang format. Visit cooklang.org to learn the simple syntax.

Initial Sync

Once you've chosen a sync method and signed in, the app will begin syncing your recipes. This may take a few moments depending on your collection size.

Sync States

  • Syncing: The app is downloading your recipes
  • Synced: All recipes are up to date
  • Sync Error: Something went wrong (check your connection)

Automatic Sync

The app syncs automatically when launched and periodically while you're using it. You can also trigger a manual sync by pulling down on the recipe list.

You can check sync status anytime in the Settings screen. The app shows when the last successful sync occurred.

All set up? Head to Using the App to learn about browsing recipes, cooking mode, shopping lists, and more.