1. What it does, and doesn't
Let's start with what it doesn't do. Stilo is not a Git client. It does not create branches, merge, show history or diffs, and it never clones a repository to keep a full copy on the device. If you need real Git operations, we recommend a Git client such as Working Copy.
What it does is one thing: open the Markdown files in your repository, write, and save.
Browse your repositories and those of organizations you belong to, by branch and folder
Open .md, .markdown and .txt files in the same editor you always use (vertical preview, ruby and export included)
Save to GitHub with a commit message (one file, one commit)
Tell you when the file was changed elsewhere first, instead of overwriting it
Keep writing offline in any file you have opened before
Branching, merging, history, diffs, deleting or renaming files, editing images or other binaries (they are listed, but can't be opened)
The supported service is GitHub (github.com). GitHub Enterprise Server, GitLab and Gitea are not supported.
2. Who it's for
People who publish through GitHub, for example on Zenn. Polish a post on the train and commit it on the spot.
Teams that keep READMEs and documentation in a repository. Fix a typo without opening a Mac.
Writers who version their novels and scripts on GitHub. Vertical preview and ruby work on repository files just as they do on local ones.
If all you want is to edit files that live in OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox or Box, this purchase is not needed. Install each service's own app and Stilo opens those files through Files, for free.
3. Getting started
Tap the branch icon at the top right of the document browser (the first screen). Before the purchase it opens the Repository Access purchase screen; after it, the sign-in screen.
Sign in with GitHub
Choose the access: “repo” if you want private repositories too, “public_repo” for public ones only. To change it later, sign out and sign in again.
Tap “Sign In with GitHub”. An eight-character code appears; tap it to copy.
“Open GitHub” opens Safari. Sign in to GitHub, enter the code and tap “Authorize Stilo”.
Back in Stilo, the repository list appears on its own.
Paste an access token
Where Safari isn't available, or for accounts managed by GitHub Enterprise Cloud, you can instead paste a fine-grained personal access token in the lower part of the sign-in screen. Create it in GitHub Settings → Developer settings, limit it to the repositories you need, and give it Read and write access to Contents.
4. Open and write
Choose a repository and the root of its default branch opens. Tap the branch name at the top right to switch to another branch (you can't create one).
Walk through the folders and tap a .md to open it. Files Stilo can't open, such as images, are shown greyed out.
In the editor, the repository and branch appear under the file name, like osprey74/stilo @ main. Files can't be renamed here; do that on the repository side.
What you write is saved on the device automatically. Nothing goes to GitHub until you tap “Commit”.
Files over 1 MB can't be opened (a limit of the GitHub API). Files inside the .github/workflows folder open read-only.
5. Commit
Tap “Commit” at the top right. The sheet shows the message field and where the commit goes: repository, branch and path.
“Commit” sends it to GitHub. “Committed” appears when it's done and the button goes back to disabled.
If you tap Back with uncommitted changes, Stilo asks. “Close Without Committing” keeps the changes on the device and marks the file “Uncommitted” in orange in the list. Open it later and carry on.
A commit is always one file. Several files can't be combined into one commit.
6. When the file changed elsewhere
If the same file was changed on GitHub (on the web or from another device) after you opened it, the commit stops and you choose one of three options. Stilo never overwrites or merges on its own. Whichever you choose, your edits are kept.
View Remote Version — read the full text of your version and GitHub's, switching between them. It isn't a line-by-line diff. When you're done you're back at the three choices.
Overwrite with My Version — discard the change on GitHub and commit your version.
Save My Version as a Copy — commit your version as a new file named like filename-20260921-170509.md, and bring the original in line with GitHub's version. Both survive, so you can compare and merge them later on a Mac.
7. Offline
Any file you have opened is kept on the device, so you can open it and keep writing in airplane mode. When the latest version can't be fetched, Stilo says “Opened the Saved Copy”. When a folder listing can't be fetched, it shows only the files saved on the device with an “offline” note at the bottom.
You can't commit while offline. Tap “Commit” once you're back online; until then the changes stay on the device as “Uncommitted”.
8. Your access token and privacy
The access token GitHub issues to you is stored only in the device Keychain. It is never sent to Stilo's developer or anyone else; the only destination is GitHub (api.github.com). There is no relay server.
Signing out (the person icon at the top right of the list) deletes the token and the copies of files kept on the device. If you have uncommitted changes, Stilo tells you how many before they go. To revoke Stilo on the GitHub side, go to GitHub Settings → Applications → Authorized OAuth Apps and revoke Stilo.
See the privacy policy for the details.
9. Price and how it relates to Stilo Pro
Repository Access is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. It costs $3.99 in the United States; the amount differs by country and is shown in the App Store before you buy. Buy it once and it works on every iPhone and iPad signed in with the same Apple ID.
It is a separate product from Stilo Pro; you can buy either one on its own. Pro features (vertical preview, ruby, page counts, PDF export, themes and fonts) work on repository files too, but you don't need Pro to use Repository Access.
10. FAQ
An organization's repositories don't appear
The organization may restrict third-party OAuth apps. Approve Stilo under the organization's Settings → Third-party access, or ask an administrator. If you signed in with public repositories only (public_repo), private repositories won't appear.
“This file is too large to open”
The GitHub API handles files up to 1 MB each. Larger files aren't supported.
I can't edit files inside .github/workflows
Writing to that folder needs an extra GitHub permission (workflow). Stilo doesn't ask for it, so those files open read-only.
“You've reached GitHub's rate limit”
Many operations in a short time hit GitHub's limit. Try again after the time shown.
I entered the Device Flow code but the app doesn't continue
After you tap “Authorize Stilo” on GitHub, it can take a few seconds once you return to Stilo. If the code expired (15 minutes), tap “Sign In with GitHub” again.
Will GitLab or self-hosted servers be supported?
The first release supports GitHub only. We'll consider others if there is demand; let us know at admin@stilo.osprey74.com.
Still stuck?
The support page collects frequently asked questions. If that doesn't solve it, write to admin@stilo.osprey74.com.
Go to Support