ZaeUI_DungeonNotes
Every serious World of Warcraft player knows the pain of forgetting a boss mechanic or a tricky trash pull. You might have a great strategy one week, only to draw a blank the next time you step into the same dungeon. ZaeUI_DungeonNotes solves this by giving you a dedicated, personal notepad that lives inside the game, tied directly to each instance you enter.
This addon is not about telling you what to do. It is about remembering what you decided to do. Whether you are a tank mapping out patrol routes, a healer tracking dangerous damage windows, or a raid leader jotting down callouts, ZaeUI_DungeonNotes for World of Warcraft keeps your thoughts organized and accessible at the exact moment you need them.
Why Keep Notes Inside the Game?
Alt-tabbing to a browser or a text file is clunky, especially during a Mythic+ key or a raid night. ZaeUI_DungeonNotes brings the note-taking experience directly into the client. The addon is built on a simple principle: your notes should be one click away from the action, not buried in another application.
Because everything is stored locally in your SavedVariables, the addon works flawlessly in all content. Blizzard's recent combat API restrictions have crippled many popular addons in Mythic+ and raids, but ZaeUI_DungeonNotes does not rely on any blocked functions. It works everywhere, from leveling dungeons to the highest keys and current raid tiers.
Core Features That Make a Difference
Per-Instance and Per-Character Notes
Each dungeon and raid in the game has its own unique ID, and the addon uses this to index your notes. You can write a completely different strategy for Halls of Infusion on your Protection Paladin and your Restoration Shaman. The per-character storage means your alts never share notes by accident, keeping your workflow clean and specific.
Discreet Instance-Entry Notification
When you enter a dungeon or raid, a small, unobtrusive button fades in near the top of your screen. It disappears after a few seconds if you ignore it, but a single click opens the editor pre-filled with your existing notes for that instance. This notification is fully customizable. You can turn it off entirely, adjust the duration from 5 to 60 seconds, or set it to show even for instances where you have not yet written anything.
Instance Browser for Quick Access
Do you need to check your notes for a dungeon you are not currently in? The built-in browser lists every instance you have ever visited, grouped by type. Each row shows the instance name and a clear status indicator for whether you have notes saved. This is perfect for planning routes before you even queue up.
Shareable Text Profiles
Found a great route on your main and want to copy it to your alt? Or perhaps you want to share your notes with a guildmate. ZaeUI_DungeonNotes exports your entire note collection as a plain-text string. The import system uses a strict, hand-written regex parser with no loadstring and a hard 50 KB limit, ensuring that sharing profiles is safe and free from any malicious code.
Getting Started and Installation
Before you download ZaeUI_DungeonNotes, you need to install its required dependency, ZaeUI_Shared. This shared library provides the core framework and the minimap button integration. Once both addons are in your Interface/AddOns folder, restart the game and you are ready to go.
For those who prefer a streamlined setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for ZaeUI_DungeonNotes, handling the dependency and version compatibility automatically so you can jump straight into the action without manual file management.
Slash Commands and Controls
You can control every aspect of the addon with simple slash commands. The /zdn command opens the note window for your current instance. Use /zdn browse to access the full instance browser, /zdn options for settings, and /zdn export or /zdn import to manage your profiles. A /zdn reset command is also available with a confirmation prompt to clear all data.
Compatibility Across Game Versions
The addon is designed to work across multiple versions of the game. While it is fully compatible with the upcoming World of Warcraft Midnight expansion (version 12.0.0+), it also functions on Retail, Classic, TBC, WotLK, Cataclysm, and MoP clients. The instanceMapID system is consistent across these versions, so your notes remain relevant whether you are tackling modern Mythic+ or classic raids. This broad compatibility makes it a versatile tool for any player, regardless of which version they call home.
When you download ZaeUI_DungeonNotes, you are getting a lightweight, efficient addon that respects your time and your screen space. The floating editor window is draggable and resizable, with its position and size saved per character. The notification system is subtle by design, never interrupting your gameplay flow.
How to Install ZaeUI_DungeonNotes
Learning how to install is straightforward. First, download ZaeUI_DungeonNotes from a trusted source. Extract the folder into your World of Warcraft/_retail_/Interface/AddOns directory (or the equivalent folder for Classic versions). Ensure that both ZaeUI_DungeonNotes and ZaeUI_Shared are in the AddOns folder. Launch the game, and on the character selection screen, click "AddOns" to verify both are loaded. That is all there is to it.
A Final Word on Practical Use
ZaeUI_DungeonNotes is not a guide addon that tells you strategies; it is a memory aid for the strategies you already know. It empowers you to create your own playbook, refine it over time, and carry it with you across every character and every expansion. The addon's focus on local storage and privacy means no network traffic, no data leaks, and no restrictions in competitive content. It is a simple, powerful tool that respects the game's rules while enhancing your personal efficiency.
Whether you are a veteran raider or a casual dungeon explorer, having your own notes at your fingertips is a game-changer. The addon's clean design, robust feature set, and cross-version support make it an essential addition to any player's UI. Give it a try, and you will wonder how you ever managed without it.