Curtain

What is a curtain?

Mùbù is a structured outline note-taking tool developed by Shenzhen Shilihu Technology Co., Ltd.; it is used for taking notes with hierarchical, foldable topics, managing tasks, creating plans, and organizing writing, and it allows users to convert the same content into a mind map with just one click.

Its core mechanism is not based on AI-generated content; instead, it allows users to create a clear structure by using indentation. Compared to free-form mind mapping tools, Mubu is more similar to an outline editor: users first enter text quickly and divide the topics, after which they can view the resulting diagram, share it, or export it as needed.

Core functions

1. Outline-based notes

Each line of text can serve as a topic; use Enter to create topics at the same level, Tab to create sub-topics, and Shift+Tab to raise the hierarchy. Topics can be folded, expanded, dragged, or viewed in a partial layout, and efficient organization can be achieved through shortcut keys.

This approach is suitable for meeting minutes, reading notes, course outlines, writing frameworks, product requirements, and the breakdown of tasks. Excessive levels of detail can make reading more difficult; it is generally best to keep the structure simple enough so that the relationships between different elements are clear.

2. One-click conversion of mind maps

An outline document can be converted directly into a mind map without the need to redraw the nodes. The mind map mode is available on PCs, web browsers, and mobile devices; users can adjust its size, structure, and style, and choose between tree-shaped, single-column, or double-column layouts.

Mind maps and outlines are two different representations of the same content; any changes made to one are reflected in the other as well. Miro is suitable for hierarchical mind maps, and it is not designed for free-form arrangements, complex connections, or professional flowcharts.

3. Theme style, images, and descriptions

Themes support bolding, italicization, underlining, color coding, completion status, and images. The description feature allows for additional explanations, examples, and details related to the theme, and it is possible to choose to display only the first line or the entire description.

Users can also use folded descriptions to create Q&A cards or word review materials.

4. Task management

Users can mark topics as completed, break down project steps into hierarchical levels, and designate responsible persons using “@name”. Clicking on or searching for the responsible person tag will aggregate related tasks, while “#tag” is useful for filtering content by project, scenario, priority, or knowledge category.

The task management capabilities of this tool are relatively simple; it does not involve complex aspects such as time allocation, resources, dependencies, or automation. For multi-person projects, it is still necessary to define clear deadlines and acceptance criteria, and these should be integrated into a professional project management system when needed.

5. Bidirectional links and relationship diagrams

By entering “@” in a document and selecting another document, a two-way link can be created. The document that is referenced will show a reverse link; the system will also identify potentially relevant content based on the keywords in the titles, and generate a diagram showing the relationships between the documents.

Bidirectional links can connect knowledge elements that are not within the same folder, but too many links can create noise. It is recommended to establish links only between concepts that are truly related to each other, and to use clear titles and tags as well.

6. Collaborative work among multiple people

The PC and web versions allow users to invite collaborators, assigning them appropriate permissions through different collaboration links; the avatars of these members are displayed at the top of the document. The mobile version does not currently provide a full feature set for collaborative editing.

Collaboration is suitable for jointly preparing meeting outlines and materials, but Mubu is not a knowledge base for large teams. Important documents should have a designated owner, and access to those links should be revoked promptly after the collaboration is completed.

7. Sharing and passwords

A document allows for the creation of sharing links, along with the setting of access passwords. The shared content is updated in line with changes to the original document, and the link becomes invalid once sharing is disabled.

When it is restarted, the address remains unchanged by default, but it can also be changed manually to invalidate the old link.

The curtain allows for the sharing of up to 10 new documents per day, with no limit on the number of times each document can be shared. Sharing is not possible within the first 3 hours after a new account is created.

The content that is made public must comply with the platform’s guidelines; repeated violations may result in restrictions on the ability to share content or even in the suspension of the account.

8. Multi-device synchronization and offline mode

The platform offers applications for Web, Windows, macOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android, and documents are automatically synchronized across these devices. Windows is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, while macOS is offered in both the standard version and the version built for Apple chips.

The premium version supports offline storage on iOS and Android devices, with automatic synchronization once connected to the internet. In case of synchronization conflicts, the help center recommends copying the conflicting documents, checking the data on the web version, and using OPML for backups; it is not advisable to rely solely on the cache on a single device.

Import and Export

PC and web versions allow for the import of OPML, FreeMind, and XMind files, while mobile versions enable the import of XMind, OPML, and FreeMind files through the option “Open with another app”. This makes it possible to transfer hierarchical data from tools such as WorkFlowy, OmniOutliner, XMind, MindManager, and ProcessOn.

In outline mode, files in Word, PDF, image, HTML, and OPML formats can be exported; in mind map mode, images and FreeMind files can be exported.

FreeMind files can still be imported into software such as XMind, but images are not included by default when exporting.

Exporting certain formats such as OPML, FreeMind, and mind map images requires the premium version. If there are too many document topics, the export process may fail; in such cases, you can fold away unnecessary branches, export each topic separately, or try using the web version.

Price and version comparison

Free version benefits

Free accounts allow up to 200 topics per document; mind maps are available in 4 structures and 4 styles. Documents deleted from the trash bin are retained for 7 days, and they can be exported in Word, PDF, image, and HTML formats.

The 200 topics refer to the number of hierarchical entries in a single document, not the total number of documents in an account. Large projects can be divided into multiple documents and linked together using bidirectional links.

Premium version benefits

The premium version removes the limit on the number of topics per document, provides access to all mind map structures and styles as well as various export formats such as OPML. Documents are permanently stored in the recycle bin during the membership period, and offline storage on mobile devices is also supported. After the membership expires, the topics that were created prior to that can still be viewed, but new additions, edits, and advanced functions will be subject to the restrictions of the free version.

Member price

The premium version of the official website is currently listed at as low as 5.5 yuan per month; the exact amount may vary depending on the duration of the subscription and any ongoing promotions. On the App Store in China, the continuous subscription option costs 12 yuan per month or 108 yuan per year, with automatic renewal through the Apple account.

The prices may vary depending on whether the purchase is made through a web page, an Android device, or an Apple device. Before making a purchase, it is necessary to check whether automatic renewal is enabled, what the expiration date is, what the refund policies are, and whether the account details are correct; one should not assume that all packages are priced at their lowest possible amount.

Data, public content, and backups

The terms of service for the curtain service specify that encryption, anonymization, and other security measures are used to protect personal information. Users are responsible for ensuring that the content they upload and share is legal; text, images, and other materials must be original or authorized for use.

Non-confidential content posted in areas such as the Public Selection section is authorized for the platform to store, display, distribute, and promote. Notes containing personal privacy information, customer data, or trade secrets should not be made public, and OPML, Word, or PDF backups should be generated regularly.

When an account is suspended due to severe violations, its data may be deleted; therefore, no important knowledge base should exist only in the cloud. In case of synchronization issues, first check whether the web version is complete, and then deal with the client cache or reinstall it.

Changes in the company and its products

The Mubu platform was first launched in its web version in 2016, followed by versions for desktop and mobile devices. It is currently operated by Shenzhen Shilihu Technology Co., Ltd.; the official contact email addresses use domains related to flomo, yet Mubu retains its own distinct product name and service interface.

Supported platforms

• Web browser version;
• Windows 32-bit and 64-bit clients;
• MacOS Universal version and Apple Silicon version;
• iPhone and iPad;
• Android smartphones and tablets.

AI and open-source status

As of the time of verification, the official products and documentation for MindMap do not list generative AI as one of their core features. It relies primarily on manual input by users, hierarchical organization, and one-click view conversion; it should therefore not be described as a tool that uses AI to generate mind maps automatically.

Canvas is a commercial cloud service along with client software; its complete source code is not made public, so it does not qualify as an open-source project. The support for OPML and FreeMind open formats merely means that data can be transferred, but it does not imply that the product itself is open-source.

Tutorial on using the curtain

Complete a basic task.

1. Specify the presentation topic, objectives, duration, and number of pages;
2. Import reliable data into the screen and remove any irrelevant or sensitive information;
3. Use outline notes to create an outline first, rather than finalizing the text directly;
4. Select templates, icons, and visual hierarchies for mind maps with a single click;
5. Check each page for numbers, citations, charts, font sizes, and layout;
6. Perform a full-screen preview before exporting in the desired format;

Create reusable professional workflows

1. Create brand templates, title hierarchies, and a library of common pages;
2. Fixed outline-based notes, one-click conversion of mind maps and theme styles, as well as the order in which images and descriptions are created;
3. Specify one key point per page and control the text density;
4. Assign the review of facts, visuals, and presentation logic to respective responsible persons;
5. Test fonts, animations, and proportions on different devices;
6. Save the source files, versions, and records of final approval;

Which users is it suitable for?

• Users who use hierarchical outlines to keep notes on courses, meetings, and books;
• Students and teachers who can quickly create mind maps from an outline;
• Individuals who break down articles, projects, tasks, and review plans.
• Users who manage knowledge through tags, owners, and bidirectional links;
• Small teams that need lightweight collaborative editing and password sharing;
• Those who wish to use OPML to transfer content between various outline tools.

Product advantages

• The outline and mind map share the same content, allowing for quick switching between them;
• The keyboard operation is simple, making it suitable for continuous recording and organization;
• Tags, owners, descriptions, and bidirectional links cover the basics of management;
• It supports multi-user collaboration, password sharing, and synchronization across multiple devices.
• OPML, XMind, and FreeMind support import and export, facilitating migration;
• The free version is sufficient to meet the needs of small and medium-sized note-taking tasks.

Restrictions and Precautions

• The free version allows up to 200 topics per document; advanced export functions and offline use on mobile devices require a membership.
• Complex free layouts, flowcharts, and multi-relation networks are not the strengths of this platform.
• Collaborative editing is fully supported only on PCs and web browsers.
• A maximum of 10 posts can be shared per day, and new accounts are able to share content only after 3 hours.
• A too large document may affect sharing and exporting;
• The curtain does not possess the core capabilities of official generative AI; therefore, there should be no artificial summaries, automatic writing, or intelligent generation created for the purpose of classifying it as an AI tool in the catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the curtain free?

There is a free version available; each document can contain up to 200 topics, and it supports basic diagram styles as well as export in Word, PDF, image, and HTML formats.

Can a curtain be used to create a mind map?

Yes, an outline and a mind map are two different representations of the same content; one can switch between them with a single click and continue editing.

What import formats are supported by the curtain?

PC and web versions support OPML, FreeMind, and XMind; mobile devices can also open these files through other applications.

How much is the premium version of the curtain?

The official website indicates a price as low as 5.5 yuan per month; on the App Store in China, the price is 12 yuan per month or 108 yuan per year, with the actual price depending on the place of purchase.

Does the curtain support multi-person collaboration?

It is supported, but collaborative editing is currently available only on PCs and web browsers; it is possible to create collaborative links with different levels of access rights.

Does the curtain have AI capabilities?

The current focus of the official platform is structured outlines, mind map conversion, and knowledge management; generative AI is not considered a key capability.

Is the curtain open-source?

It is not open source. It supports open data formats, but the product itself is a commercial service.