Using the AppGuide

Learn how to get the most out of the Cook iOS app with this comprehensive guide.

My Recipes Screen

The main screen shows all your recipes organized by folder. This is where you'll spend most of your time browsing and selecting recipes.

Navigating Folders

If your recipes are organized in folders, tap a folder to navigate into it. Use the back button to go up a level.

Refreshing

Pull down and release to refresh your recipes from the cloud. This checks for any changes made on other devices.

Viewing Recipes

Tap any recipe to view its full details. The recipe view shows everything you need to cook.

Recipe Information

The recipe view displays:

• Recipe name at the top
• Metadata like servings, prep time, cook time, author
• Ingredients with quantities and units
• Cookware needed for the recipe
• Steps with clear instructions

Adding to Shopping List

From the recipe view, tap the shopping cart button to add all ingredients to your shopping list. You can adjust quantities before adding.

Starting Cooking Mode

Tap Start Cooking to enter the step-by-step cooking mode.

Metadata & Images

The app displays rich recipe metadata with intuitive icons, giving you all the key information at a glance.

Supported Metadata

Recipe metadata is defined using YAML frontmatter at the beginning of your .cook file. The following fields are displayed with icons when present:

---
servings: 4
time: 45 minutes
prep time: 15 minutes
cook time: 30 minutes
difficulty: easy
cuisine: Italian
course: dinner
diet: vegetarian
author: Chef John
---

Recipe Images

Add a beautiful header image to your recipe. The image displays prominently at the top of the recipe detail view.

Automatic Detection

Add images to your recipe by including a supported image file (.png, .jpg) matching the name of the recipe in the same directory:

Baked Potato.cook
Baked Potato.jpg

Step Images

You can also add images for specific steps by including a step number before the file extension:

Chicken French.cook
Chicken French.0.jpg
Chicken French.3.jpg

Using Metadata

Alternatively, specify the image in the frontmatter. Images can be local files or URLs:

---
image: pasta-carbonara.jpg
---

Or reference an image from the web:

---
image: https://example.com/pasta-carbonara.jpg
---

Image Requirements:

• Place the image file in the same folder as your recipe
• Use common formats: JPG, PNG, or HEIC
• Landscape orientation works best for the header display

Custom Metadata

Any additional fields you add to the frontmatter appear in the "More Details" tab. This is perfect for notes, source URLs, or any custom information.

---
source: https://example.com/recipe
notes: Best served fresh
wine pairing: Chianti
---

Tags

Recipe tags are displayed as colorful chips below the metadata bar. Add tags to categorize and find recipes easily.

---
tags:
  - quick
  - weeknight
  - family-friendly
---

Scaling Recipes

Easily adjust recipe quantities when cooking for more or fewer people. The app automatically recalculates all ingredient amounts.

How to Scale

There are several ways to scale a recipe:

Scale by Multiplier

Tap the scale button to open the scaling picker. Enter a multiplier like 2 (double the recipe) or 0.5 (halve it). All numeric ingredient quantities update instantly.

Scale by Servings

If your recipe has servings metadata, you can scale by entering your desired number of servings. The app calculates the appropriate multiplier automatically.

For example, if a recipe serves 4 and you want to serve 6, the app scales all ingredients by 1.5x.

Scale by Ingredient

Have a specific amount of an ingredient you want to use up? Tap on any numeric ingredient quantity to scale the entire recipe based on that ingredient.

For example, if a recipe calls for 200g flour but you have 300g, tap on the flour amount and enter 300. The entire recipe scales proportionally.

What Gets Scaled

• Numeric quantities - All amounts like "200 g" or "2 cups" scale proportionally
• Servings - The servings metadata updates to reflect the scaled amount
• Shopping list - When you add ingredients to the shopping list, they use the scaled quantities

What Doesn't Scale

• Text quantities - Amounts like "a pinch" or "to taste" remain unchanged
• Cooking times - Timer durations stay the same (cooking physics don't scale linearly)
• Instructions - Step text remains unchanged

Scale Indicator

When a recipe is scaled, you'll see the current scale factor displayed (e.g., "2x" or "1.5x"). This helps you remember the recipe has been adjusted.

Resetting Scale

To return to original quantities, open the scale picker and set the value back to 1. Alternatively, close and reopen the recipe to reset.

Cooking Mode

Cooking mode displays one step at a time in large, easy-to-read text. Perfect for following along while you cook.

Navigation

• Swipe left to go to the next step
• Swipe right to go back to the previous step
• Tap the step indicator at the bottom to jump to any step

Step Details

Each step shows the instruction text along with any relevant ingredients and their quantities. Timers in the step can be started with a single tap.

Keeping Screen On

While in cooking mode, the screen stays on so you don't lose your place. The app prevents your device from going to sleep.

Exiting Cooking Mode

Tap the X button in the top corner to exit cooking mode and return to the recipe view.

Using Timers

The app includes powerful timer functionality for tracking cooking times.

Starting a Timer

Timers can be started in several ways:

• Tap a time mentioned in a cooking step (like "cook for 10 minutes")
• Use the timer button in the recipe view
• Set a custom time manually

Timer Controls

• Play/Pause - Start or pause the timer
• Stop - Cancel the timer
• +1 minute - Add an extra minute

Multiple Timers

You can run multiple timers simultaneously. Each timer runs independently and will notify you when complete.

Notifications

When a timer completes, you'll receive a notification with a sound alert - even if the app is in the background or your device is locked.

Shopping List

The shopping list helps you buy ingredients for your recipes. Items are organized by aisle for efficient shopping.

Adding Items

Add ingredients to your shopping list from any recipe. You can also add custom items manually.

Aisle Organization

Items are automatically organized by aisle (produce, dairy, pantry, etc.). This makes shopping faster as you move through the store.

You can customize aisle groupings by creating a config/aisle.conf file in your recipes folder. See the Cooklang shopping documentation for examples and configuration options.

Checking Off Items

Tap an item to check it off as you shop. Checked items move to the bottom of their section.

Deleting Items

Swipe left on an item to reveal the delete button. Tap to remove the item from your list.

Clearing the List

Use the Clear All button to remove all items at once. This is useful after completing a shopping trip.

Sharing the List

Tap the share button to send your shopping list via Messages, Email, or any other sharing method. Great for coordinating with family members.

Settings & Account

Access settings by tapping the gear icon on the My Recipes screen.

Account Information

View your account email and sign-out option. If using CookCloud, you'll see your account details here.

Sync Status

Check when your recipes were last synced. If there's a problem with sync, you'll see an error message here.

Manual Sync

Force a sync by tapping Sync Now. Useful if you've made changes on another device and want them immediately.

Help & Support

Access help documentation, FAQ, and contact support directly from settings.

About

View app version, terms of service, and privacy policy.