First off, I have searched for duplicates of this request and, specifically, read https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/953584-proton-pass/suggestions/47642750-offline-access.

I consider the current 'offline access' option of the Proton Pass desktop application flawed. I have only used the macOS version, but assume they behave similarly.

As a user who finds themselves regularly without the possibility to access Proton servers directly--be it because of the lack of internet connectivity in general, censorship, or even Proton servers being down--it is important that I have the option of accessing my Proton Pass database fully offline. Meaning, booting up my laptop, launching the Proton Pass desktop application, and be prompted for my password--or whatever other form of authentication.

Currently, I am required to login to Proton Pass using an internet connection I may not be able to establish, in order to gain 'offline access'.

This introduces a 'cold start' problem. I cannot rely on Proton Pass as my password manager without this feature properly implemented.

PS: I understand there are security considerations to take into account when implementing this feature as it would require some sort of persistent local copy of the database, but I imagine this already happens for the current 'offline' mode.