# kindling — full reference > kindling is a free, open-source (MIT) desktop writing app for fiction writers who outline. It keeps your outline beside the draft: each scene opens with its beats, characters and notes close at hand, so you draft from the plan instead of a blank page. It runs offline on macOS, Windows and Linux, needs no account, and does not use AI to write or analyse your work. - **Current version:** 1.3.0 - **Price:** free. No premium tier, subscription or account. MIT licensed. - **Platforms and downloads:** macOS .dmg ~21 MB (macOS 12 (Monterey) or later); Windows .exe ~8 MB (Windows 10 or later); Linux .AppImage ~86 MB (x86_64 Linux). Under 100 MB installed. - **Imports:** Plottr (.pltr), Scrivener 3 (.scriv), yWriter (.yw7), Obsidian Longform, novelWriter, Markdown outlines. - **Exports:** DOCX (Standard Manuscript Format), EPUB, HTML, plain text, Markdown, treatments, and back to Scrivener 3, Obsidian Longform and novelWriter. Custom exports use saved profiles. - **New in 1.3:** editorial review (send a manuscript to an editor and work through their comments and suggestions), an export workspace with saved profiles, writing goals and statistics, customizable keyboard shortcuts, unified Settings, and the Press design. - **Planning:** Rolling Outline gives each scene a planning state (Fixed, Flexible or Undefined), so it suits plotters, plantsers and discovery writers. - **Project types:** novels and screenplays. - **Privacy:** the desktop app stores projects locally as SQLite files and contains no analytics, telemetry or usage tracking. It uses the internet only for automatic updates and optional feedback. The website (kindlingwriter.com) uses Google Analytics 4; that is separate from the app. - **AI:** kindling does not generate, suggest or autocomplete prose, and does not use AI to analyse your writing. - **What it does not do:** no research folder like Scrivener's, no mobile or iPad app, and a simpler compile than Scrivener's for precise print formatting. - **Built with:** Rust and Tauri 2, Svelte 5, SQLite. - **Source:** https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling - **Community:** Discord https://discord.gg/g7bkj4kY8w ## Key pages - [Home](https://kindlingwriter.com/): What kindling is, a working demo of a scene with its outline, and what is new in this release - [Features](https://kindlingwriter.com/features/): Outline-aware drafting, rolling outlines, references, editorial review, writing goals, import and export - [Download](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/): Free installers for macOS, Windows and Linux, version 1.3.0, with checksums - [Compare](https://kindlingwriter.com/compare/): kindling compared with Scrivener, Plottr, Obsidian, Dabble, Novelcrafter, Campfire, Atticus and Wavemaker - [Plottr vs Scrivener](https://kindlingwriter.com/plottr-vs-scrivener/): An honest comparison of the two, and where kindling fits between outlining and drafting - [Free Scrivener alternative](https://kindlingwriter.com/free-scrivener-alternative/): kindling as a free Scrivener alternative, including on Linux, where Scrivener has no version; what Scrivener still does better - [Story outlining software](https://kindlingwriter.com/story-outlining-software/): Outlining that carries into the draft: scene beats as drafting prompts, and planning at your own pace - [Open source](https://kindlingwriter.com/open-source/): The MIT licence, the source code, the technology stack and how to contribute - [Blog](https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/): Release notes, tool comparisons and drafting guides for writers who outline - [FAQ](https://kindlingwriter.com/faq/): Pricing, platforms, imports and exports, privacy, AI policy and technology - [Privacy policy](https://kindlingwriter.com/privacy/): What the desktop app and the website each collect; the app has no analytics or telemetry - [Send feedback](https://kindlingwriter.com/feedback/): Report a bug, request a feature or rate the app - [Code signing policy](https://kindlingwriter.com/code-signing-policy/): macOS builds are signed and notarized by Apple; Windows builds are not yet code-signed - [Terms of service](https://kindlingwriter.com/terms/): Terms of service for the free, MIT-licensed software --- # Documentation ## kindling Documentation URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/ **kindling** is a free, open-source story outlining and drafting tool for writers. Import your existing outlines from Plottr, Scrivener, Markdown, yWriter, Longform/Obsidian, or novelWriter, then export a manuscript, reading copy, web chapter, or project for another writing app. These guides cover **kindling v1.3**. See [what’s new in this release](https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/kindling-v1-3-writing-and-review/). ### Getting Started - [Introduction](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/getting-started/) — What kindling is and how it works - [Installation](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/installation/) — Download and install kindling on macOS, Windows, or Linux ### Using kindling - [Importing Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/) — How to import outlines from Plottr, Scrivener, Markdown, yWriter, Obsidian, or novelWriter - [Scene Workflow](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/scene-workflow/) — Beats, prose, rolling outline, and scene structure - [Writing Goals & Statistics](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/writing-progress/) — Daily goals, sessions, streaks, and manuscript counts - [Editorial Review](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/) — Exchange suggestions and comments with an editor using local files - [References](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/references/) — Track characters, locations, and story elements - [Exporting Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/exporting-projects/) — Export to DOCX, Scrivener, Markdown, Longform, novelWriter, or EPUB - [Export Workspace](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/) — Save export profiles, customize formatting, and preview manuscripts, HTML, and plain text - [Sync & Reimport](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/) — Keep source-backed projects up to date - [Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/) — Customizable shortcuts, appearance, and project preferences ### Contributing - [Architecture](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/contributing/architecture/) — Codebase overview for contributors ### Quick Links - [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling) - [Report an Issue](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/issues) - [Discord Community](https://discord.gg/g7bkj4kY8w) - [Download kindling](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) ## Editorial Review URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/ Send your manuscript to an editor as a file and bring their feedback back into kindling. Both people use the app. No account or internet connection is needed for the review itself; you choose how to share the files. ### Send a manuscript 1. Open your project and choose **File → Editorial Review**. 2. Name the round, add an optional brief, and choose the whole manuscript or selected chapters. 3. Choose **Export review package** and share the `.kindling-review` file with your editor. [Screenshot: Review package setup with a round name, editor brief, manuscript scope, and export button] You can keep writing while the review is out. kindling keeps the version you sent so you can compare feedback with your later changes. Export a new round when you want the editor to read an updated draft. ### Review the manuscript Choose **Open Review Package** on the start screen, then enter the name to show with your feedback. - **Suggest edits:** type, delete, paste, or format text as you normally would. Your edits become tracked suggestions. - **Add a comment:** select a passage and choose **Comment**, or use the default **Cmd+Option+M** / **Ctrl+Alt+M**. [Shortcuts are customizable](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/#keyboard-shortcuts). Threads support replies, resolution, and reopening. - **Choose your view:** **Simple markup** shows changes in the margin; **All markup** shows insertions and deletions in the prose. [Screenshot: The review workspace with manuscript markup beside a feedback thread] Work saves locally. When ready, choose **Manuscript actions (⋯) → Export feedback** and return the `.kindling-feedback` file to the writer. ### Return and decide on feedback Open the returned file in the original project and choose **Import and review feedback**. Select a suggestion to **Accept** or **Reject** it, or reply to a comment. Importing feedback does not change your prose; accepting a suggestion does. If you rewrote the passage after sending it, compare the original, current, and suggested text. Select the intended passage and choose **Apply to selected passage**. Unlock a scene before accepting changes to it. To send your responses back, choose **Review options (⋯) → Export replies and decisions**. ### Review inside your writing project Choose **Revisions** above a scene. Switch between **Reviewing** to decide on feedback, **Suggesting** to propose edits, and **Writing** to return to drafting. For saved versions, open **Manuscript actions (⋯) → Draft history**. Compare a draft with your current prose or another saved draft. Restoring a version saves your current prose in the history first. Try **On the Cliff** in a fresh Sample Project to explore feedback without using your own manuscript. For file or save problems, see [editorial review troubleshooting](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/troubleshooting/#editorial-review). ## Export Workspace URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/ The export workspace lets you preview your manuscript and save settings for an agent, a reading group, or a website. Each **export profile** remembers your format, content selection, and layout. Your writing in kindling stays unchanged. ### Just need a file? **Custom is optional.** Open **File → Export**, choose **Word**, **ePub**, **Markdown**, or another standard format, adjust its options, and export. You don't need to create a profile or open the workspace. [Screenshot: Export formats in two groups: Word, ePub and Treatment to share a document; Scrivener, novelWriter, Longform and Markdown to continue in another app] See [Exporting Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/exporting-projects/#export-dialog) for the simple route. Continue below when you want saved profiles or more control. If you're already in the workspace, **Back to export** returns to those format choices. ### Create your first profile 1. Choose **File → Export → Custom**. Pick **Agent submission**, **Writing group**, or **Website chapters**, then select **Open workspace**. 2. Use **Duplicate profile** beside the dropdown. Name your copy in **Overview**. 3. Choose an **Output format** and adjust the sidebar settings beside the preview. 4. Select **Save profile**, then **Export**. Choose a destination and new filename; **Open export** opens the result. The starting profiles are editable. Check your recipient's requirements before using one for a submission. [Screenshot: Export profile dropdown with Agent submission selected and the Duplicate profile button beside it] kindling remembers Custom and your last profile for this project. You can choose a standard format for any individual export without losing that preference. ### Find the settings you need Use **Find a setting…** to jump to a control by name, such as “double spaced” or “running head.” The sidebar shows the sections available for your format: | Section | Use it for | | --- | --- | | **Overview** | Profile name and starting profiles | | **Content** | Chapter selection, scene titles, synopses, and beat headings | | **Headings & breaks** | Chapter and Part headings, scene separators, page breaks | | **Text & page** | Typography, spacing, alignment, paper size, and margins | | **Book details** | Title, author, contents, running headers, and ebook metadata | | **Files & format** | Filenames and format-specific options | On smaller windows, **Settings** and **Preview** switch between the two panes. ### Choose what goes into the manuscript In **Content**, choose **Entire manuscript** or **Selected chapters**. Chapters keep their project order; an entire-manuscript profile includes eligible new chapters automatically. For one chapter or scene, use its sidebar **Export** menu, then open Custom. The selection becomes part of the profile only when you save or duplicate it. **Include the rest of its chapter** expands a scene selection. The workspace's Word, EPUB, HTML, Markdown, and plain-text exports include saved prose from the scenes' active writing views. Archived chapters and scenes, unused scenes, notes, to-dos, discovery notes, and editorial comments are excluded. You can add scene titles, scene synopses, and beat headings separately. For scenes written in Page View, included beat headings follow the scene prose. If you keep writing after opening the workspace, let your changes save, then use **Refresh saved manuscript**. The export uses the saved writing it loaded. Longform, Scrivener, novelWriter, and treatment exports use the **whole project** and their own content rules. They do not use the workspace's chapter selection or manuscript typography settings. ### Check the preview For Word, EPUB, and HTML, preview one chapter or choose **Whole selection** to see the title page and contents. This dropdown changes the preview only; **Content** still determines what you export. [Screenshot: Live Word preview with a chapter selector, refresh button, running header, chapter title, and scene separator] Word previews approximate layout. Open the exported document in your word processor to check pagination and repeating headers. Ebook readers may apply their own font and spacing preferences. HTML offers **Read** and **HTML** tabs so you can inspect both the rendered manuscript and its source. Markdown and plain text show the generated text for the whole selection. Project formats and treatments show a description of the output instead of a manuscript preview. ### Prepare a submission manuscript Start with **Agent submission** and choose **Word manuscript** as the output format. In **Text & page**, set the requested font, size, line spacing, paper size, and margins. Set paragraph indentation and, if needed, select **No indent after a heading or scene break**. Use **Headings & breaks** for chapter numbering, scene separators, and page breaks. In **Book details**, set your title and pen name, choose whether to include a title page and word count, and configure the running header. Word omits the running header from the title page. [Screenshot: Text and page controls for font, size, line spacing, paragraph indentation, and spacing after paragraphs] These are example settings; save each recipient's requirements in their own profile. ### Prepare an ebook or reading copy Start with **Writing group** and choose **Ebook / reader copy**. Select the chapters you want to share and choose whether to include scene titles or a table of contents. In **Book details**, enter the title, author, description, and language. Use **Choose cover** to select a PNG or JPEG image. The cover is included in the EPUB but is not shown in the manuscript preview. [Screenshot: Ebook metadata settings with a description and an optional PNG or JPEG cover image field] ### Export HTML for a website Start with **Website chapters** and choose **Web / HTML**. In **Files & format**: - Choose **Complete HTML document** for a standalone page, or **Body fragment for pasting** for content you will insert into another page. - Choose **Heading 1** or **Heading 2** for the chapter heading element. - Keep **Include built-in styling** enabled to use your typography settings, or turn it off to let your website supply the styling. [Screenshot: HTML options with Body fragment for pasting, Heading 1, and built-in styling enabled] Inspect the **HTML** tab before exporting. Both options produce one `.html` file containing your selected chapters. Embedded images and unsupported formatting are omitted from manuscript output. ### Export text or move to another writing app **Markdown** produces one formatted `.md` manuscript; **Plain text** produces one unformatted `.txt` file. For separate scene files, use standard Markdown or **Longform / Obsidian**. For project folders, reference notes, and roundtrip details, see the [format guide](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/exporting-projects/#supported-formats). To update an existing Scrivener project with scene matching and backups, select **Back to export** and choose **Scrivener** in the standard dialog. novelWriter export is available for prose projects; screenplay projects are not supported. Treatments offer **One page · overview**, **Five pages · key scenes**, and **Full · scenes and beats**. These choices set the level of detail; the actual page count depends on your material. ### Name and save the exported file In **Files & format**, build a **Filename pattern** with `{title}`, `{profile}`, and `{date}`. The example updates as you type; kindling adds the extension. [Screenshot: Filename pattern using title and profile, token insertion buttons, and the resulting Simple Story-Agent submission.html filename] Choose a destination each time you export. Workspace exports preserve existing files and folders, so use a new name for each copy. For Longform and novelWriter, choose the parent folder; kindling creates the named project folder inside it. ### Save, reuse, and recover profiles **Save profile** keeps the current settings. **Export** uses the settings you see, including changes you have not saved to the profile. Switching profiles also saves valid changes to the current profile. To try a different arrangement without changing an existing profile, duplicate it first. **Revert** returns to the saved settings. kindling also retains unsaved profile changes on this device so you can resume after closing the workspace. If an incomplete draft cannot be recovered, it loads the saved profile instead. Profiles belong to a project on this device. They are not included in project transfers or snapshots. Restoring a snapshot does not restore profile settings. Keep a note of any settings you need to recreate on another device. ### If export is unavailable - **Nothing selected:** open **Content** and select a chapter containing manuscript scenes, or choose **Entire manuscript**. - **Part of a saved selection is missing:** review the chapter selection after deleting or archiving content. - **A setting is incomplete:** enter a profile name and finish any highlighted numeric fields. You can keep editing while the preview remains visible. - **The destination already exists:** choose a new filename or folder name. - **A cover image cannot be read:** use **Choose cover** to select the image again. - **Profiles could not be loaded or saved:** existing saved settings are preserved. Avoid clearing app data to resolve the error; keep a note of your settings and include the displayed message when asking for help. For importing or syncing an exported project, see [Importing Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/) and [Sync & Reimport](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/). ## Exporting Projects URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/exporting-projects/ Export your writing for a submission, a reading copy, or another writing app. **The simple format options are still available—you don't have to use Custom.** Exporting leaves your writing in kindling unchanged. ### Export Dialog 1. Open your project and choose **File → Export**. 2. Select a format, such as **Word**, **ePub**, or **Markdown**. 3. Adjust its options, choose a destination, and select **Export**. [Screenshot: Export formats in two groups: Word, ePub and Treatment to share a document; Scrivener, novelWriter, Longform and Markdown to continue in another app] Word, ePub, Markdown, Longform, novelWriter, Scrivener, and Treatment all have direct export options. No saved profile is required. To export a particular chapter or scene, use **Export** in its sidebar menu. Check the scope shown in the dialog; some project formats always include the whole project. ### Custom Export Workspace Use **Custom** when you want saved settings, a live preview, more layout control, or HTML and plain-text manuscript output. Select a profile and **Open workspace**; **Back to export** returns to the simple format choices. Custom remembers your choice and last profile for that project. You can still choose a standard format for an individual export. See [Export Workspace](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/) for content selection, typography, book details, live previews, and saving profiles. ### Supported Formats | Format | Output | Best For | | ------ | ------ | -------- | | DOCX | `.docx` file | Standard Manuscript Format submissions | | Treatment | `.docx` or `.txt` file | Outline or story summary | | Scrivener | `.scriv` bundle | Roundtrip with Scrivener 3 | | Markdown | Separate scene files in the standard dialog; one manuscript file in Custom | Text-based writing tools | | HTML | One `.html` document or fragment, through Custom | Websites and publishing tools | | Plain text | One `.txt` manuscript, through Custom | Unformatted text | | Longform/Obsidian | Index + scene files | Roundtrip with Obsidian | | novelWriter | Project folder | Roundtrip with novelWriter 26.2+ | | EPUB | `.epub` file | E-readers and ebook previews | ### Export Scopes | Scope | What It Includes | | ----- | ---------------- | | Project | All chapters and scenes | | Chapter | Only the selected chapter | | Scene | Only the selected scene | In Custom, Word, EPUB, HTML, Markdown, and plain text use your manuscript selection. Longform, Scrivener, novelWriter, and treatments use the **whole project** and their own content rules; manuscript chapter selections and typography settings do not apply to them. See [content selection](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/#choose-what-goes-into-the-manuscript). Manuscript exports use each scene's **active writing view** once: Page prose or Beat prose. Inactive cached prose is excluded; scenes without beats use Page prose. DOCX word counts follow the same rule. Included beat headings for a Page scene follow its prose rather than marking paragraph boundaries. --- ### DOCX (Standard Manuscript Format) DOCX exports are designed for manuscript submissions. Formatting options include: - **Title page** — Uses app settings and project pen name (see [Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/)) - **Chapter heading style** and page breaks - **Scene break markers** - **Font family** and line spacing - Optional beat markers and scene synopses The output follows Standard Manuscript Format conventions used by literary agents and publishers. Use Custom for additional control over font size, paragraph spacing and indentation, margins, paper size, running headers, and contents. Save a profile for each recipient's requirements. See [Prepare a submission manuscript](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/#prepare-a-submission-manuscript). --- ### Treatment (DOCX) For screenplay and novel projects, a **treatment** summarizes the whole project's outline, synopses, and beats. Choose a level of detail: - **One page · overview** — A concise project summary - **Five pages · key scenes** — A summary of key scenes - **Full · scenes and beats** — The full scene-and-beat treatment Export as Word or plain text. The one-page and five-page choices describe the level of detail; actual page counts depend on your content. Treatment export is available from **Export → Treatment** in the project menu. In Custom, choose **Treatment** as the output format, then open **Files & format** to set the detail level and file type. [Screenshot: Custom treatment settings with Full scenes and beats, Plain text (.txt), and whole-project scope] --- ### Scrivener (.scriv) kindling can export to Scrivener 3's native bundle format, letting you move your outline and prose into Scrivener for further drafting or compilation. **Two export modes:** - **New bundle** — Creates a fresh `.scriv` project from your kindling project - **Update existing** — Merges changes back into an existing `.scriv` bundle, with a match preview showing exactly what will change before you confirm The Custom workspace creates **new** Scrivener projects only. For scene matching and optional backups when updating an existing project, use Scrivener in the standard export dialog. #### What Gets Exported - **Project structure** — Chapters and scenes as Scrivener binder items - **Scene titles and synopses** — Written to Scrivener's metadata fields - **Prose content** — Written to each scene document - **References** — Characters and locations as named notes in dedicated binder sections --- ### Markdown Markdown exports create a folder structure like: ``` My Project/ 01 - Chapter One/ 01 - Scene One.md 02 - Scene Two.md ``` - Beat markers can be included as headings - If you choose to delete an existing export folder, its contents are removed before writing new files. Use a separate destination to keep an earlier copy. Custom Markdown produces **one manuscript file**, with headings and supported text formatting. Custom plain text produces one `.txt` file without rich-text formatting. Both show the generated text in the workspace. See [text and project exports](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/#export-text-or-move-to-another-writing-app). ### HTML Choose **Custom → Website chapters → Web / HTML** to export selected chapters as one `.html` file. Choose a complete document or a body fragment for pasting, set the chapter heading level, and include built-in styling or let your website supply it. The **Read** and **HTML** tabs show the rendered manuscript and its source. See [Export HTML for a website](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/#export-html-for-a-website). --- ### Longform/Obsidian Longform exports are optimised for Obsidian + Longform workflows, making it easy to round-trip between kindling and Obsidian. They retain outline prompts and the active editor mode, without inactive beat prose. **Output layout:** ``` My Project/ My Project.md # Longform index Scene One.md Scene Two.md characters/ locations/ items/ objectives/ organizations/ ``` **Scene files include:** - YAML frontmatter (`type`, `project`, `status`, `characters`, `setting`, `synopsis`) - Scene title heading and synopsis block - `` metadata and beats marker Reference notes are written into subfolders for characters, locations, items, objectives, and organizations. --- ### novelWriter novelWriter exports create a complete project folder you can open directly in **novelWriter 26.2 or newer**, and re-import to establish a sync link. **Output layout:** ``` My Project/ nwProject.nwx # project file content/ .md # one document per part, chapter and scene ``` **Options:** - **Include beat comments** (on by default) writes a `% Beat:` comment before each beat's prose. Keep it enabled — it preserves beat boundaries so a later Sync can review prose beat by beat rather than as one scene-level change. - Reference notes are included by default and map to novelWriter's note roots: Characters → Character, Locations → World, Items → Object, Objectives → Plot, Organizations → Entity, Timelines → Timeline, Notes → Custom. - Archived chapters and scenes are excluded. In the standard dialog, choose an **empty destination folder**. In Custom, choose the parent folder; kindling creates a new named project folder inside it. Screenplay projects cannot be exported to this format. [Screenshot: Custom novelWriter export with Reference notes and Beat comments enabled, whole-project scope, and a reminder to use a new destination name] Exporting does not change the project's existing sync connection. To work in novelWriter and bring changes back, export to an empty folder, then use **Import → novelWriter** on that folder — the imported project is linked to it, and [Sync](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/) will read later edits. Page-mode scenes have no stored beat boundaries, so they export as whole-scene prose with no beat comments. **Not included:** underline, kindling-only planning data, and per-item importance. novelWriter shortcodes, footnotes, alignment and indent codes are not preserved on the way back in. See [Importing Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/#novelwriter-project-folder) for the full round-trip notes. --- ### EPUB EPUB exports include: - **Metadata** — Title, author, description, language - **Theme selection** — Classic, Modern, or Minimal - Optional cover image - Optional beat markers and scene synopses **Theme descriptions:** | Theme | Style | |-------|-------| | **Classic** | Serif body text, traditional chapter headings with drop caps | | **Modern** | Clean sans-serif, minimal ornamentation, generous whitespace | | **Minimal** | Body text only — no chapter styling, no decorative elements | EPUB files can be opened in any e-reader app (Apple Books, Kindle, Calibre, etc.) for previewing your manuscript as a finished book. Use Custom to save book details with your content selection and typography preferences. Readers may override fonts and spacing, so check the exported file in your intended reading app. A selected cover is included in the EPUB but does not appear in the workspace's manuscript preview. See [Prepare an ebook or reading copy](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/#prepare-an-ebook-or-reading-copy). --- ### Export Settings Several settings affect export output. See [Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/) for the full list, but the key ones are: - **Author name** and contact info — appears on DOCX title pages - **Pen name** (project-level override) — replaces the author name for a specific project - **Genre and description** — included in EPUB metadata --- For importing or syncing exported content back into kindling, see [Importing Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/) and [Sync & Reimport](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/). ## Getting Started with kindling URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/getting-started/ Welcome to kindling! This guide will help you get started. ### What is kindling? kindling is a free, open-source desktop writing app that keeps your outline visible while you draft. It's built for fiction writers who plan — plotters, pantsers, and anyone who wants structure without losing creative flow. Whether you outline every beat before you write, discover your story as you go, or land somewhere in between, kindling adapts to your process. ### Quick Start **Starting from an existing outline:** 1. [Download kindling](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) for your platform 2. Install and open the app 3. Import your outline from Plottr, yWriter, Scrivener, Markdown, Longform/Obsidian, or novelWriter 4. Choose a scene — your beats appear as writing prompts 5. Start writing! **Starting from scratch:** 1. [Download kindling](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) for your platform 2. Install and open the app 3. Choose **File → New Project** (or press `Cmd+N` / `Ctrl+N`) 4. Add chapters and scenes directly in kindling 5. Start writing! **Opening an editorial package:** Choose **Open Review Package** on the start screen to open a `.kindling-review` or returned `.kindling-feedback` file. Follow the [Editorial Review guide](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/) for the next steps. [Screenshot: Start-screen actions: New Project, Sample Project, and Open Review Package] ### Key Concepts **Beats** are the building blocks of a scene — short prompts that guide what you write next. You can draft inside each beat or switch to a full-page prose view for uninterrupted writing. **Rolling Outline** lets each chapter and scene have its own level of structure — from fully planned beats to a simple title placeholder. You decide how much detail to add and when. **References** track characters, locations, items, and other story elements alongside your scenes. ### Getting Around The shortcuts below are defaults. [Customize them in Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/#keyboard-shortcuts); menus and shortcut hints show your current bindings. | Shortcut | Action | |----------|--------| | `Cmd+N` / `Ctrl+N` | New project | | `Cmd+K` / `Ctrl+K` | Command palette | | `Cmd+,` / `Ctrl+,` | Settings | | `Cmd+O` / `Ctrl+O` | Open review or feedback file | | `Cmd+D` / `Ctrl+D` | Inline discovery note | | `Cmd+Shift+H` / `Ctrl+Shift+H` | Quick Start guide | Press `Cmd+K` / `Ctrl+K` by default to open the **command palette** — fuzzy search across actions including import, export, navigation, and settings. [Screenshot: Command palette with fuzzy search results] ### Themes kindling supports **light**, **dark**, and **system** themes. Change your theme from **Settings → Appearance & Guidance**. System mode follows your operating system's preference. ### Auto-Updates kindling checks for updates automatically on launch. When a new version is available, it downloads silently in the background and shows a non-blocking banner at the bottom of the window. Click **Restart** to apply the update. ### Next Steps - [Installation](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/installation/) — Platform-specific install notes - [Importing Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/) — Import from Plottr, yWriter, Scrivener, Markdown, Longform/Obsidian, or novelWriter - [Scene Workflow](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/scene-workflow/) — Beats, prose, and scene structure - [Writing Goals & Statistics](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/writing-progress/) — Daily goals, session totals, and streaks - [Editorial Review](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/) — Review a manuscript and exchange feedback - [References](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/references/) — Characters, locations, and story elements - [Exporting Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/exporting-projects/) — Export to DOCX, Scrivener, Markdown, or EPUB - [Export Workspace](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/) — Customize exports with saved profiles and live previews - [Sync & Reimport](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/) — Keep source-backed projects up to date - [Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/) — Shortcuts, themes, author info, and project preferences ## Importing Projects URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/ kindling supports importing story outlines from multiple sources. This guide explains how to prepare your files for a successful import and how reference data is handled. ### Importing a Project 1. Choose **Import** from the start screen or project menu. 2. Select a source file (Plottr, Scrivener, Markdown, yWriter) or a Longform/Obsidian vault folder. 3. Review the import summary and finish the import. ### Supported Formats | Format | Extension | Description | |--------|-----------|-------------| | [Plottr](#plottr-pltr) | `.pltr` | Plottr project files | | [Scrivener](#scrivener-scriv) | `.scriv` | Scrivener 3 project bundles | | [Markdown](#markdown-md) | `.md` | Plain text markdown outlines | | [yWriter](#ywriter-yw7) | `.yw7` | yWriter 7 project files | | [Longform/Obsidian](#longformobsidian-md) | `.md` index or vault folder | Longform index + scene files | | [novelWriter](#novelwriter-project-folder) | Project folder | `nwProject.nwx` + `content/` documents | --- ### Post-import Reference Classification If kindling detects references during import, it opens a classification dialog so you can confirm or adjust reference types before continuing. You can skip this step and refine reference types later in the References panel. --- ### Plottr (.pltr) Plottr is a visual story planning tool. kindling imports the full project structure including characters, locations, and scene cards. #### What Gets Imported - **Project metadata** — Series name, premise, genre, theme - **Chapters** — Plottr "beats" become chapters (typically acts) - **Scenes** — Scene cards with titles and descriptions - **Characters** — Names, descriptions, and custom attributes (Role, Gender, etc.) - **Locations** — Places with descriptions and notes - **Relationships** — Which characters and locations appear in each scene #### File Requirements - Export from Plottr as a `.pltr` file (the native format) - The file must be valid JSON - Supports Plottr file format version 2023+ #### Notes - Rich text formatting (bold, italic) is stripped to plain text - Custom character/location attributes are preserved - Scene card descriptions become beat content - Tags are read but not yet displayed in the UI --- ### Scrivener (.scriv) kindling supports importing Scrivener 3 project bundles, making it easy to move a project you've already started in Scrivener into kindling's outline-and-draft workflow. #### What Gets Imported - **Project structure** — Binder hierarchy becomes chapters and scenes - **Scene titles and synopses** — Preserved from Scrivener's metadata - **Prose content** — RTF scene content is converted to plain text - **Characters and locations** — If stored as named notes in dedicated binder sections #### File Requirements - Use a Scrivener 3 `.scriv` bundle (the folder package created by Scrivener on macOS/Windows) - Open the `.scriv` package as a folder and select the project root #### Notes - Scrivener's compile settings are not imported — export formatting is handled by kindling - Rich text styles (bold, italic, tables) are preserved where possible; complex formatting may simplify - Scrivener labels and status fields are mapped to kindling scene type and status where possible --- ### Markdown (.md) For users who prefer plain text, kindling supports a simple markdown outline format. #### What Gets Imported - **Project name** — Derived from the filename - **Chapters** — H1 headers (`# Chapter Title`) - **Scenes** — H2 headers (`## Scene Title`) - **Beats** — List items or paragraphs under scenes #### File Format ```markdown # Act One ## The Opening - Introduce the protagonist - Establish the ordinary world - Show the character's flaw ## The Inciting Incident - Something disrupts the status quo - The protagonist must respond # Act Two ## Rising Action The stakes begin to escalate. - Or you can mix list items - With paragraph content ``` #### Syntax Reference | Element | Syntax | Example | |---------|--------|---------| | Chapter | `# ` + title | `# Chapter One` | | Scene | `## ` + title | `## The Beginning` | | Beat (list) | `- ` or `* ` + content | `- Hero wakes up` | | Beat (paragraph) | Plain text under a scene | `The sun rose slowly.` | #### Rules and Behavior 1. **Chapters require H1** — Lines starting with `# ` become chapters 2. **Scenes require H2** — Lines starting with `## ` become scenes 3. **Scenes need chapters** — H2 headers are ignored if no H1 chapter exists yet 4. **Beats need scenes** — List items and paragraphs are ignored if no scene exists yet 5. **H3+ are treated as beats** — `###` and beyond become paragraph-style beats, not structure 6. **Empty list items are skipped** — A line with just `- ` is ignored #### Tips for Best Results 1. **Start with a chapter** — Begin your file with `# Chapter Name` 2. **Keep it simple** — The parser intentionally ignores complex markdown (tables, code blocks, etc.) 3. **One thought per beat** — Each list item or paragraph becomes a separate beat #### Edge Cases | Input | Result | |-------|--------| | Empty file | Creates a default "Chapter 1" | | Only H2 headers (no H1) | Creates default chapter, but scenes are ignored | | Only list items (no headers) | Creates default chapter, but beats are ignored | | Only H1 headers | Chapters with no scenes or beats | --- ### yWriter (.yw7) yWriter stores projects in a single XML file. kindling imports the outline, metadata, and reference data. #### What Gets Imported - **Project metadata** — Title, author, description, word target - **Chapters and parts** — Normal chapters are imported; notes/todo chapters are skipped - **Scenes** — Titles, synopsis, status, and type - **Beats** — Goal/Conflict/Outcome become beats - **Prose** — Scene content is preserved as prose - **References** — Characters, locations, and items - **Scene links** — Character and location links per scene #### File Requirements - Use a `.yw7` file from yWriter 7 - The file must be valid XML (UTF-8 or UTF-16) #### Notes - Items are imported as reference items (type: items) - Scenes marked as unused are skipped --- ### Longform/Obsidian (.md) kindling supports Longform/Obsidian projects by reading a Longform index file and its scene files. You can import either: - The **index file** (recommended), or - The **vault folder**, if it contains exactly one Longform index kindling enhances the Obsidian workflow — it doesn't replace it. Keep research and worldbuilding in Obsidian, and use kindling for structured outlining, scene planning, and export-ready manuscripts. #### What Gets Imported - **Project metadata** from the Longform index - **Chapters and scenes** based on the `longform.scenes` list - **Scene status, synopsis, and prose** - **Reference types** via frontmatter, tags, folders, and wikilinks - **Reference notes** from character/location/item/objective/organization notes #### Recommended Vault Structure ```text My Novel/ index.md scenes/ Scene One.md Scene Two.md characters/ locations/ items/ objectives/ organizations/ ``` #### Longform Index Frontmatter Longform index files must include YAML frontmatter with a `longform` block: ```yaml --- longform: format: scenes title: My Project sceneFolder: scenes scenes: - Chapter One - - Scene One - Scene Two --- ``` - `format: scenes` is required (single-scene Longform projects are not supported yet) - `sceneFolder` points to your scene files - `scenes` supports nested lists for chapter grouping #### Scene Frontmatter Conventions Scene files can include frontmatter fields to help kindling parse metadata and reference types: ```yaml --- status: draft synopsis: The inciting incident begins. pov: "[[;Mara]]" characters: - "[[;Mara]]" - "[[;Jon]]" setting: "[[~Old Harbor]]" items: [[Ancient Map]] objectives: Find the relic organizations: "[[Guild of Tides]]" --- ``` Supported fields: `status`, `synopsis`, `pov`, `characters`, `setting` / `locations`, `items` / `objects`, `objectives` / `goals`, `organizations` / `factions` / `groups` / `teams`. You can also use Dataview-style fields (`characters::`, `setting::`) or `#status/final` tags. #### Reference Notes and Best Practices - Use folders like `characters/`, `locations/`, `items/`, `objectives/`, `organizations/` - Add `type`, `category`, or `tags` in frontmatter (e.g., `type: character`) - Use `[[;Name]]` for characters and `[[~Place]]` for locations when a name could be ambiguous - Keep a single Longform index file per vault to avoid import ambiguity --- ### Format Comparison | Feature | Plottr | Scrivener | Markdown | yWriter | Longform/Obsidian | |---------|--------|-----------|----------|---------|------------------| | Chapters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (H1) | ✓ | ✓ | | Scenes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (H2) | ✓ | ✓ | | Beats | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Synopsis | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | | Prose | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | | Characters | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | | Locations | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | | Items/Objectives/Orgs | — | — | — | Items only | ✓ | | Scene–reference links | ✓ | — | — | Characters/locations | ✓ | --- ### novelWriter (Project Folder) Import a novelWriter project to plan its chapters and scenes in kindling while keeping your draft and reference notes together. #### File Requirements 1. Choose **Import → novelWriter** from the project menu, or **novelWriter** in the guided import. 2. Select the project folder containing `nwProject.nwx` and its `content/` folder. Select the whole folder, not an individual scene file. 3. Finish the import and review any reference classifications offered. Keep the project folder intact. kindling reads current `.md` documents and legacy `.nwd` documents from project format versions 1.4–1.6. #### What Gets Imported - **Project name and author** - **Parts, chapters and scenes** from the manuscript headings - **Prose** with bold, italic and strikethrough formatting - **Scene synopses** from `%Synopsis:` comments - **Beats** from `% Beat:` comments, with the prose following each comment - **Reference notes** with names, descriptions and attributes - **Scene links** to characters, locations and supported reference notes, resolved by their tags | novelWriter Note Root | kindling Reference Type | |-----------------------|-------------------------| | Character | Characters | | World | Locations | | Object | Items | | Plot | Objectives | | Entity | Organizations | | Timeline | Timelines | | Custom | Notes | Blank lines separate paragraphs; a single newline stays within the same paragraph. Part documents that contain prose receive a normal chapter so their scenes remain accessible. A scene without beat comments opens in Page mode and also has a single beat titled **Scene Content**. Archive, Trash and Template roots are skipped; only the first Novel root is imported. #### Moving Between kindling and novelWriter To take a kindling novel into novelWriter, choose **Export → novelWriter** and select an empty destination folder. Exported projects require **novelWriter 26.2 or newer**. Beat comments and reference notes are included by default; archived chapters and scenes are excluded. Screenplays cannot be exported to this format. Keep **Include beat comments** enabled to preserve beat boundaries for later sync. Page-mode scenes export as whole-scene prose because they have no stored beat boundaries. Exporting does not change the project's existing sync connection. Import the exported folder to create a kindling project linked to that novelWriter source. #### Reviewing Changes with Sync After editing the source project in novelWriter, open the linked kindling project and choose **Sync**. Review the full current and incoming prose, select the changes you want, then choose **Apply Sync**. Prose changes are unselected by default, and locked chapters and scenes are skipped. [Screenshot: The Sync with outline dialog listing a new scene and beat from the source, each with its own checkbox before you apply] - With beat comments, Beat-mode prose can be reviewed and accepted for individual beats. - Without beat comments, or in Page mode, prose is reviewed as one scene-level change. - Accepting a whole-scene replacement in Beat mode keeps the planning beats, puts the incoming text in the first beat and clears prose from the remaining beats. The editor mode stays the same. - Declining a change leaves your local prose untouched. Sync reads changes into kindling; export to a new empty folder to take kindling changes back to novelWriter. Beats created or split locally keep their own prose and are not assigned to incoming beat comments during Sync. Sync covers chapters, scenes, beats and prose. Changes to notes, reference links and project metadata are not synced. Keep beat comments in their original order when possible: inserting a beat between existing comments can change how subsequent beats are matched, so review those changes carefully. #### Limitations Underline and kindling-only planning data are not included in export. novelWriter shortcodes, footnotes, alignment and indent codes, ignored text and per-item importance are not preserved. H4 sections are flattened into scene prose; POV, focus, mention and story references are not restored as scene links. --- ### Troubleshooting #### "Could not read file" Check that the file exists and you have read permissions. #### "Invalid file structure" - **Plottr**: Ensure the file is valid JSON (not corrupted) - **Scrivener**: Ensure you're selecting the `.scriv` bundle folder, not a file inside it - **Markdown**: Check for encoding issues (file should be UTF-8) - **Longform/Obsidian**: Ensure the index has `longform.format: scenes` #### Missing Content After Import - **No chapters**: Make sure your file has the expected structure markers - **No scenes**: Scenes require a parent chapter to exist first - **No beats**: Beats require a parent scene to exist first - **No characters/locations**: These are only imported from Plottr, Scrivener, yWriter, or Longform/Obsidian #### Missing References or Notes - Confirm reference notes live in recognizable folders (e.g., `characters/`, `locations/`) - Add `type`, `category`, or `tags` frontmatter to classify notes - Use `[[;Name]]` and `[[~Place]]` prefixes for ambiguous names - Run the post-import reference classification dialog to adjust types --- ### Known Limitations - Longform import supports `format: scenes` only (single-scene format is not supported yet) - Markdown imports outline structure only; it does not include reference types - Sync/reimport updates outline structure but does not enrich references for Markdown sources - Scrivener import does not carry over compile settings or style sheets ## Installation URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/installation/ Download and install kindling on your platform. All downloads are free. ### Download Get the latest release from the [kindling download page](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) or directly from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/releases). #### Available Downloads | Platform | File | Description | | --------------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | macOS (Universal) | `Kindling_*_universal.dmg` | Works on both Apple Silicon and Intel | | Windows | `Kindling_*_x64-setup.exe` | Windows installer | | Linux | `Kindling_*_amd64.AppImage` | Portable, works on most distros | | Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) | `kindling_*_amd64.deb` | Native package for apt-based systems | --- ### Verify Your Download To ensure you downloaded the authentic kindling release: 1. **Download only from official sources**: [kindlingwriter.com/download/](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) or [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/releases) 2. **Verify checksums (optional but recommended)**: - Download `checksums.sha256` from the same release page - Verify with your platform: ```bash # macOS / Linux shasum -a 256 -c checksums.sha256 --ignore-missing # Windows (PowerShell) certutil -hashfile Kindling_*_x64-setup.exe SHA256 ``` If your checksum doesn't match, delete the file and re-download from the official release page. --- ### macOS Installation kindling is code-signed and notarized by Apple. It should open without Gatekeeper warnings. 1. Double-click the `.dmg` file to mount it 2. Drag **kindling** to your **Applications** folder 3. Double-click **kindling** in your Applications folder to launch it --- ### Windows Installation kindling is not yet signed with a Windows code signing certificate. Windows SmartScreen may show a warning when you first run the installer. #### Bypassing SmartScreen 1. Download the `.exe` installer 2. Double-click to run the installer 3. If you see **"Windows protected your PC"**: - Click **More info** - Click **Run anyway** 4. Follow the installation wizard 5. Launch kindling from the Start menu After installation, kindling will run without warnings. #### Why This Warning Appears SmartScreen warns about apps that don't have an established reputation with Microsoft. As more users download and run kindling, this warning will eventually disappear. Code signing certificates are expensive, so we've opted to ship unsigned for now. kindling is fully open source — you can [inspect the source code](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling) and the [CI build process](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/actions) at any time. --- ### Linux Installation #### AppImage (Recommended) AppImage is a portable format that works on most Linux distributions without installation. ```bash # Make it executable chmod +x Kindling_*.AppImage # Run it ./Kindling_*.AppImage ``` ##### Optional: Desktop Integration To add kindling to your application menu: ```bash # Move AppImage to a permanent location mkdir -p ~/Applications mv Kindling_*.AppImage ~/Applications/ # Create desktop entry cat > ~/.local/share/applications/kindling.desktop << EOF [Desktop Entry] Name=kindling Exec=$HOME/Applications/Kindling_*.AppImage Icon=kindling Type=Application Categories=Office;Writing; EOF ``` #### Debian/Ubuntu (.deb) For Debian-based distributions (Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Pop!\_OS, etc.): ```bash # Install the package sudo dpkg -i kindling_*.deb # If there are dependency issues sudo apt-get install -f ``` Launch kindling from your application menu or run `kindling` in the terminal. ##### Uninstalling ```bash sudo apt remove kindling ``` --- ### Troubleshooting #### macOS: App crashes immediately Ensure you downloaded the correct version for your Mac. Check your chip: **Apple menu → About This Mac → Chip/Processor**. The universal `.dmg` works on both Apple Silicon and Intel. #### Windows: Installer fails silently Try running the installer as Administrator: 1. Right-click the `.exe` file 2. Select **Run as administrator** #### Linux: AppImage won't start Ensure FUSE is installed: ```bash # Ubuntu/Debian sudo apt install libfuse2 # Fedora sudo dnf install fuse ``` #### Linux: No application icon AppImages don't always integrate with desktop environments automatically. Use AppImageLauncher or create a `.desktop` file manually (see above). --- ### Updating kindling As of v1.1, kindling checks for updates automatically on launch. When a new version is available, it downloads silently in the background and shows a banner at the bottom of the window: > *"kindling vX.Y.Z is ready — Restart to update."* Click **Restart** to apply the update immediately, or dismiss the banner and restart later. You'll be prompted again on the next launch. If you prefer to update manually, download the latest release from [kindlingwriter.com/download/](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) and install over your existing version. Your projects are stored separately and will be preserved. --- ### Building from Source If you prefer to build kindling yourself, see the [README](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling#from-source) for instructions. ## References URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/references/ References help you track people, places, and story elements across scenes. Each reference can include notes and custom attributes, and you can link them to specific scenes. ### Reference Types kindling supports seven reference types: - **Characters** — People in your story - **Locations** — Places where scenes occur - **Items** — Objects that matter to the plot - **Objectives** — Goals, quests, or missions - **Organizations** — Groups, factions, institutions - **Timelines** — Events and chronology - **Notes** — Other research and story notes Choose **File → Settings → Reference Types** and select a project to enable or disable its categories. ### References Panel Overview The References panel sits to the right of the editor and shows tabs for each enabled reference type. From here you can create, edit, and link references to the current scene. When a scene is selected: - References **linked** to the scene appear at the top - **Unlinked** references appear below - Drag references to set per-scene ordering - Expand/collapse state is saved per scene [Screenshot: The References panel beside the editor, with a character expanded to show its description, typed fields and tags] ### Editing Reference Details Each reference includes: | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | **Name** | The reference's primary name | | **Description** | A short summary or bio | | **Notes** | Free-form notes for your own reference | | **Custom attributes** | Key/value pairs for structured data (e.g., Eye colour: green) | ### Custom Fields (v1.2+) References support **typed custom field definitions**. Instead of plain key/value pairs, you can define fields with specific types: | Field type | Use it for | |------------|-----------| | Text | Names, descriptions, freeform notes | | Number | Age, height, chapter count | | Date | Birth dates, event dates | | Select | Role (protagonist/antagonist/supporting) | | Multi-select | Tags, traits, affiliations | Open **File → Settings → Custom Fields** and choose a project to manage its definitions. Custom field definitions are created per project and apply consistently across all references of that type. This means you can define "Role" once for Characters and all characters will have that field. [Screenshot: Custom field definitions for Characters — Role as a select, Age as a number, Wants as text and Traits as multi-select] ### Hierarchical Tags (v1.2+) References support a **hierarchical tagging system** with up to three levels of depth. Tags can have colours and are managed project-wide from the **Tag Manager** (under **File → Settings → Tags**). Example hierarchy: ``` role/ protagonist antagonist supporting status/ active deceased unknown ``` Apply tags to any reference and use **saved filters** to quickly find references matching specific criteria — for example, all active characters with role/protagonist. [Screenshot: Tags in Settings showing a role hierarchy and a status hierarchy] ### Smart Reference Detection (v1.2+) kindling's non-AI reference detection engine can scan your prose for character, location, and item names. When matches are found, suggestions surface automatically in the References panel so you can link them with one click. Smart detection runs on demand — it doesn't modify your prose or add anything automatically. It simply surfaces references you may have mentioned but haven't explicitly linked to a scene yet. [Screenshot: Suggested references detected in the prose, each with a confidence level and the matched text, offering one-click linking] ### Reference Type Settings Open **File → Settings → Reference Types** and choose the project to configure. Disabling a type hides its tab and keeps its existing entries. See [Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/) for saving changes. ### Copying References Between Projects Bring your characters, locations, and story notes into another book: 1. Open the project that should receive the references. 2. Choose **Copy references from project…** in the References panel header, then select the source project. 3. Select the references or categories you want. Everything starts selected; searching does not clear hidden selections. 4. Review the preview and choose **Copy references**. Possible duplicates are skipped unless you choose **Keep both**. [Screenshot: The reference-copy preview filtered to Eleanor Blackwood, with one character selected and the fields and tags to include] Copies include descriptions, notes, custom fields, and tags. Scene links and manuscript text stay in the source project. Existing references are never overwritten. **Each copy belongs to its book.** Changes in one project do not update another. Review your selection carefully: there is no batch undo. ### References from Import When you import a project, kindling imports reference data where the format supports it: | Format | Characters | Locations | Items | Objectives | Orgs | |--------|-----------|-----------|-------|-----------|------| | Plottr | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | | Scrivener | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | | Markdown | — | — | — | — | — | | yWriter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | | Longform/Obsidian | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | novelWriter | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Longform/Obsidian and novelWriter also support Timelines and Notes. See the format guides for how notes are classified and linked. See [Importing Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/) for details on how each format handles references. ## Scene Workflow URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/scene-workflow/ Scenes are where you turn your outline into prose. Each scene combines beats, synopsis, and metadata to keep your draft structured. Shortcuts in this guide show the defaults. [Customize commands and prose formatting in Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/#keyboard-shortcuts). ### Rolling Outline Mode Every chapter and scene in kindling has a **planning status** that controls how much structure it shows. This lets you work at different levels of detail across your manuscript simultaneously. | Status | Meaning | Sidebar view | |--------|---------|-------------| | 🟢 **Fixed** | Full beats, references, and discovery notes | Full outline with filters and drag-and-drop | | 🟡 **Flexible** | Title + synopsis only — beats hidden until you need them | Simplified title-only scene list | | ⚪ **Undefined** | A placeholder — you know this scene exists but haven't planned it yet | Placeholder row | Promote scenes progressively as your story takes shape: **Undefined → Flexible → Fixed**. Change status from the scene's right-click context menu. This is designed for pantsers and plantsers who want to capture the shape of their story without committing to full outlines upfront. --- ### Scene Panel Layout When you open a scene, the Scene panel shows its beats, synopsis, and metadata controls in one place. [Screenshot: The scene panel — view toggle, synopsis, linked references, discovery notes and the beat list in one column] --- ### Beats and Prose - Beats are collapsible cards that act as writing prompts - Expand a beat to write prose directly beneath it - Prose auto-saves as you write - Collapse a beat to keep the outline visible while you draft The key idea: you never face a blank page. Your beats are right there, guiding what you write next. Draft one beat at a time, or expand them all and write in a continuous flow — it's up to you. #### Beat Density Indicator Each scene in the sidebar shows a **beat density indicator** — a visual gauge that lets you see at a glance how detailed your planning is relative to other scenes. Useful when you want to identify underdeveloped scenes before you start drafting. --- ### Full-Page Prose Editing In addition to beat-by-beat drafting, you can switch to a **full-page prose editor** per scene. This gives you an uninterrupted writing surface while still keeping your beats available to reference in the panel alongside. Toggle between beat view and page view from the scene toolbar. [Screenshot: The scene toolbar's Beats and Page view toggle above the scene type, status and planning selectors] --- ### Previous Scene Context The **Previously** section above a scene shows the preceding scene's title, synopsis, and last three sentences of prose. It follows manuscript order across chapter boundaries and skips archived chapters and scenes. The excerpt comes from the preceding scene's active Beat or Page view. Outline prompts never appear as prose. If that scene has no prose yet, you can still see its title and any synopsis; the first scene has no preceding context. Click **Previously** to collapse or expand it. kindling remembers that choice across scenes and app restarts. [Screenshot: Previously showing the preceding scene’s title, synopsis, and closing prose] ### Resume Your Writing kindling remembers your last scene, expanded beat, cursor position, and scroll position for each project. Switch projects or reopen the app to return to where you were writing. ### Writing Progress and Revisions See scene, chapter, project, and session word counts in the status bar. Open **Writing statistics** for a chapter breakdown, or set a daily goal in Settings. The [Writing Goals & Statistics guide](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/writing-progress/) explains what counts toward your totals and streak. Choose **Revisions** above the scene to read feedback, suggest edits, or compare saved drafts. You can also exchange review files with an editor. Follow the [Editorial Review guide](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/) for the full workflow. --- ### Synopsis Editing Use the synopsis field to capture a short summary for the scene. Synopses can be edited inline and save automatically. Synopses are included in DOCX and EPUB exports if you choose to include them. --- ### Scene Type and Status Scene metadata helps you filter and organize your outline: [Screenshot: The chapter tree in the sidebar, where scene marks show planning status and scene type at a glance] | Field | Options | Purpose | |-------|---------|---------| | **Type** | Normal, Notes, ToDo, Unused | Categorise scenes; Notes/ToDo/Unused are filtered in some exports | | **Status** | Draft, Revised, Final | Track writing progress per scene | These controls appear in the sidebar scene list as colour indicators and are used when filtering and exporting. --- ### Scene Locking Locked scenes (or scenes inside locked chapters) are read-only. Locking is useful when a scene is finished and you don't want to accidentally change it. - Lock a scene from the right-click context menu or scene toolbar - Unlock it the same way to resume editing - Locked scenes are skipped during [Sync & Reimport](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/) --- ### Beat Management Right-click a beat to access beat actions: - **Split** — Divide a long beat into two - **Merge** — Combine two adjacent beats into one - **Reorder** — Drag beats to change their order - **Delete** — Remove a beat (prose inside is also deleted) --- ### Discovery Notes If you think of something while writing — a subplot idea, a continuity fix, a scene that needs to happen later — use an inline discovery note to capture it without breaking your flow. Press `Cmd+D` / `Ctrl+D` to add a discovery note to the current scene. Notes persist across sessions and can be promoted to full beats when you're ready. Discovery notes sit outside your beats and don't affect export output. --- ### Templates When creating a new project, kindling can pre-populate your outline with a story structure template. Templates create placeholder chapters and scenes with the appropriate beat scaffolding — you can customise or delete anything they generate. **Beat sheet templates:** | Template | Structure | |----------|-----------| | **Save the Cat** | 15 beats across 3 acts following Blake Snyder's beat sheet (Opening Image, Theme Stated, Set-Up, Catalyst, Debate, Break into Two…) | | **Hero's Journey** | 12 stages based on Joseph Campbell's monomyth (Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Refusal, Meeting the Mentor…) | | **Three-Act Structure** | Classic dramatic structure — Setup, Confrontation, Resolution — with scene placeholder beats at key turning points | **Novel structure templates:** | Template | Structure | |----------|-----------| | **Seven-Point Story Structure** | Dan Wells's seven points: Hook, Plot Turn 1, Pinch Point 1, Midpoint, Pinch Point 2, Plot Turn 2, Resolution | | **Snowflake Method** | Randy Ingermanson's approach — starts with a one-sentence premise and expands outward to chapters and scenes | | **Story Grid** | Shawn Coyne's framework — scenes mapped to the five commandments (Inciting Incident, Progressive Complication, Crisis, Climax, Resolution) | --- ### Screenplay Projects When you create a new project, you can choose **Screenplay** as the project type. Screenplay projects add: - **Slugline input** — Scenes include an INT./EXT. slugline field - **Page count estimator** — Based on the standard 250 words per page - **Treatment export** — Generate a 1-page or 5-page treatment document (DOCX) from your synopses Screenplay projects otherwise work identically to novel projects — beats, references, and export all function the same way. --- ### Find and Replace Search your prose and replace across a single scene or the whole project. | Shortcut | Opens | |----------|-------| | `Cmd+F` / `Ctrl+F` | Find in the current scene | | `Cmd+Opt+F` / `Ctrl+Alt+F` | Find and replace in the current scene | | `Cmd+Shift+F` / `Ctrl+Shift+F` | Find and replace across the project | Switch between **Current scene** and **Entire project** inside the dialog, so you don't need to reopen it to widen the search. Two toggles refine matching: **Match case** and **Whole words**. There is no regular-expression mode. Step through hits with **Previous** and **Next**. Each match shows its chapter and scene, and **Open scene** jumps the editor there. **Replace match** changes the current hit; **Replace all** changes every editable match at once and asks for confirmation first. **Undo replacement** reverses the last replacement while the dialog remains open. [Screenshot: Find and Replace searching the whole project, showing a match in context with its chapter and scene] #### What gets searched Search covers the prose you can actually edit, which is narrower than everything in the project: - **Fixed scenes only.** Flexible and Undefined scenes hide their prose in the editor, so they aren't replacement targets either. Promote a scene to Fixed to include it. Archived scenes are excluded too. - **The active view only.** A scene in Beat view is searched beat by beat; a scene in Page view is searched as one document. Prose left behind by the other view is a stale copy and is skipped. - **Locked scenes are searchable but not replaceable.** Matches inside a locked scene or a locked chapter appear in the results marked `· Locked` so you can find them, but Replace all skips them and tells you how many it left alone. Matches in scenes with unsaved edits are treated the same way and marked `· Unsaved draft`. Unsaved drafts are kept for the session — including after you close the project — so you can choose whether to keep or discard them. --- ### Command Palette Press `Cmd+K` / `Ctrl+K` to open the command palette from anywhere in the app. Fuzzy search across all available actions — import, export, settings, navigation, and more. Use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to execute. [Screenshot: Command palette showing fuzzy search results for common actions] ## Settings URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/ Choose **Settings** at the bottom of the project sidebar, or open **File → Settings…**. The default shortcut is **Cmd+,** on macOS / **Ctrl+,** on Windows and Linux. Settings is also available from the start screen and command palette. The sidebar groups shared settings under **kindling → Preferences**, and project settings under **Projects → Manuscript / Reference Library**. Choose an area to see its controls: - **Appearance & Guidance**: Light, Dark, or System theme and contextual guidance tips. These preferences apply immediately across kindling. - **Keyboard Shortcuts**: Remap commands and prose formatting for all projects. Changes apply immediately. - **Author & Contact**: Author name, address, phone, and email used on exported manuscript title pages. Choose **Save author details** to apply changes. - **Project Details**: Pen name, genre, description, word target, and daily writing goal. A pen name overrides the shared author name for that project's byline. A daily goal of 0 turns off the goal. - **Reference Types**: Choose which reference categories appear in the selected project's References panel. Disabling a category keeps its existing entries. - **Tags**: Create, edit, and organize project tags. - **Custom Fields**: Define typed fields for the project's enabled reference categories. ### Choosing a project Use the **Project** selector under **Projects** in the Settings sidebar. It stays available as you navigate; choosing a project from a shared settings area opens Project Details. Your open manuscript and selected scene stay in place. If you have no projects yet, create or import one first; shared preferences remain available. Choose **Save project changes** to save project details and reference types. Tags and custom fields save through their own add, edit, and delete controls. Drafts remain while you navigate settings areas. Before switching projects or closing Settings with unsaved changes, kindling asks whether to discard them or keep editing. ### Keyboard shortcuts 1. Open **Settings → kindling → Preferences → Keyboard Shortcuts**. 2. Filter by command name, then select its current binding or **Unassigned**. 3. Press **Command** on macOS or **Ctrl** on Windows/Linux with a letter, number, punctuation key, or function key. **Escape** cancels recording. Bindings save immediately for all projects and persist across launches. Menus, the command palette, and shortcut hints update to match. If a combination is already in use, kindling names the command using it. **Clear** that binding before reassigning the keys. Clear disables only the shortcut; **Reset all to defaults** restores every binding. Standard text editing, system, and dialog keys — including copy, paste, undo, Tab, Enter, and Escape — stay reserved. Shortcut examples throughout these guides show the defaults. See [shortcut troubleshooting](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/troubleshooting/#keyboard-shortcuts) if a binding cannot load or save. [Screenshot: Keyboard Shortcuts filtered to Find commands, showing their bindings, Clear controls, and Reset all to defaults] ### Export impact Author and contact details populate manuscript title pages. Project pen names, genre, and descriptions supply project-specific export metadata. Word targets and daily goals help track drafting progress. ### Author and project preferences [Screenshot: Settings with Appearance & Guidance selected] [Screenshot: Project Details in Settings, with the project selector and manuscript preferences] See [Writing Goals & Statistics](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/writing-progress/) for daily goals, session counts, and streaks. ### Reference types, tags, and custom fields Reference Types, Tags, and Custom Fields each have their own Settings area. Choose a project before editing them. Reference types include Characters, Locations, Items, Objectives, Organizations, Timelines, and Notes. [Screenshot: Reference Types in Settings, with a checkbox for each category] Tags can be nested up to three levels. Custom fields support text, number, date, select, and multi-select values. See [References](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/references/) for using them and copying references between projects. [Screenshot: Tags in Settings, with nested project tags] See [Exporting Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/exporting-projects/) for how author details and project metadata appear in exports. --- ### Where Are My Files? #### Project data kindling stores all your projects in a single SQLite database in the app's data directory: | Platform | Location | |----------|----------| | **macOS** | `~/Library/Application Support/com.kindlingwriter.app/kindling.db` | | **Windows** | `%APPDATA%\com.kindlingwriter.app\kindling.db` | | **Linux** | `~/.local/share/com.kindlingwriter.app/kindling.db` | This file contains your projects, chapters, scenes, beats, references, and project settings. [Export profiles](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/#save-reuse-and-recover-profiles) are stored separately on this device and are not included in project transfers or snapshots. #### Backing up your projects Copy `kindling.db` to a safe location — an external drive, cloud folder, or version control repository. kindling doesn't need to be closed to copy the file; SQLite handles concurrent reads safely. For automatic backups, point your backup tool (Time Machine, Backblaze, rsync, etc.) at the app data directory. #### Project snapshots Open **Snapshots** from the project menu to save a version you can preview or restore later. Each new snapshot has its own file, even when created moments apart. Deleting one leaves the others available. Keep a separate backup of your app data too. #### Moving projects between computers Copy `kindling.db` to the same path on the new machine (or anywhere in the app data directory). kindling will load all your projects on next launch. If you're moving from one operating system to another, the file format is the same — SQLite databases are cross-platform. #### Your source files Imported source files (`.pltr`, `.yw7`, `.scriv`, `.md`) are **not** copied into kindling — the app stores a path to their original location. If you move a source file, kindling will show a "source file not found" warning when you try to sync or reimport. Either move the file back, or start a fresh import from the new path. ## Sync & Reimport URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/ kindling can keep source-backed projects in sync with their original files while preserving the prose you've written in the app. ### Sync vs. Reimport | | Sync Preview | Reimport | |--|---|---| | **How it works** | Compares your source file to the current project and lets you apply selected changes | Re-reads the source file and updates the outline structure in one pass | | **Control** | You choose which changes to apply | All outline changes are applied at once | | **Prose** | Preserved unless you select a supported prose change | Preserved | Outline changes preserve existing prose. novelWriter Sync also offers prose replacements that you review and select explicitly; they are unselected by default. ### Supported Sources Sync and reimport are available for projects imported from: - Plottr (`.pltr`) - Markdown (`.md`) - yWriter (`.yw7`) - Longform/Obsidian (Longform index file) - novelWriter (project folder) **Scrivener is not currently supported for sync/reimport.** **Export → Scrivener → Update existing** sends kindling changes into the bundle, with a match preview before writing. To bring an edited Scrivener bundle into kindling, import it as a new project. ### Sync Preview Workflow Use sync when your outline has changed in Plottr (or another tool) and you want to review what's new before applying it: 1. Open the project 2. Choose **Sync** from the project menu to generate a preview 3. Review the list of additions and changes 4. Select which changes to apply, then confirm [Screenshot: The Sync with outline dialog listing new items from the source, with per-item checkboxes before applying] ### Reimport Workflow Use reimport for a faster, all-at-once update: 1. Open the project 2. Choose **Reimport** from the project menu 3. kindling re-reads the source file and updates the outline 4. Review the summary after completion ### What Sync Updates Sync and reimport focus on outline structure: - Chapter, scene, and beat **additions** - Title and synopsis **updates** - Beat content **updates** Locked chapters or scenes are skipped during sync. Outline changes preserve your prose; selected novelWriter prose changes replace the corresponding local text. ### What Sync Does Not Change - Local prose, unless you explicitly accept a novelWriter prose replacement - Reference data (characters, locations, etc.) — reference enrichment is not re-run on sync - Locked scenes or chapters --- ### novelWriter Prose Sync Open a project imported from novelWriter and choose **Sync**. Compare the full current and incoming prose, select the changes you want, then choose **Apply Sync**. Prose changes start unselected, and locked scenes and chapters are skipped. - With beat comments, Beat-mode prose can be reviewed per beat. - Without beat comments, or in Page mode, prose is reviewed as a whole-scene change. - Accepting a whole-scene change in Beat mode keeps the planning beats, puts the incoming text in the first beat, and clears prose from the remaining beats. It does not change the editor mode. - Locally created or split beats keep their own prose and are not assigned to incoming beat comments. Sync does not update reference notes, scene-reference links, or project metadata. Keep beat comments in their original order where possible and review matches carefully after inserting comments between existing ones. Sync reads source changes into kindling. Export to a new empty folder to take kindling changes back to novelWriter; exporting does not change an existing sync connection. See [novelWriter import and sync](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/#novelwriter-project-folder) for the complete workflow. ### Troubleshooting #### "Project has no source path" Sync and reimport only work for projects originally created by importing a source file. Blank projects (created without an import) cannot be synced. #### "Source file not found" The source file has been moved or deleted. Either move the original source file back to its original location, or start a fresh import from the new path. #### Changes not detected - Ensure the source file saved successfully before syncing - For Markdown sources: only outline structure is synced (no references), so reference changes in the source won't appear ## Troubleshooting URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/troubleshooting/ Can't find what's wrong? This page collects the most common issues across all areas of kindling. For more detail on any topic, follow the links to the relevant page. --- ### Installation #### macOS: App crashes immediately Ensure you downloaded the correct version for your Mac. Check your chip: **Apple menu → About This Mac → Chip/Processor**. The universal `.dmg` works on both Apple Silicon and Intel. #### Windows: Installer fails silently Try running the installer as Administrator: 1. Right-click the `.exe` file 2. Select **Run as administrator** #### Linux: AppImage won't start Ensure FUSE is installed: ```bash # Ubuntu/Debian sudo apt install libfuse2 # Fedora sudo dnf install fuse ``` #### Linux: White window on startup Version 1.3 includes an attempted workaround for a WebKitGTK rendering problem: it disables the DMA-BUF renderer on startup unless you have already set `WEBKIT_DISABLE_DMABUF_RENDERER` yourself. This has **not been confirmed to resolve the reported white-window issue**. If it persists, add your Linux distribution and launch details to [issue #252](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/issues/252). #### Linux: No application icon AppImages don't always integrate with desktop environments automatically. Use [AppImageLauncher](https://github.com/TheAssassin/AppImageLauncher) or create a `.desktop` file manually — see [Installation](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/installation/) for the full desktop entry snippet. → More install help: [Installation](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/installation/) --- ### Importing Projects #### "Could not read file" Check that the file exists and you have read permissions. #### "Invalid file structure" - **Plottr**: Ensure the file is valid JSON (not corrupted) - **Scrivener**: Ensure you're selecting the `.scriv` bundle folder, not a file inside it - **Markdown**: Check for encoding issues (file should be UTF-8) - **Longform/Obsidian**: Ensure the index has `longform.format: scenes` - **novelWriter**: Select the whole project folder containing `nwProject.nwx` and `content/` #### Missing content after import - **No chapters**: Make sure your file has the expected structure markers (H1 for Markdown, chapters in Plottr, etc.) - **No scenes**: Scenes require a parent chapter to exist first - **No beats**: Beats require a parent scene to exist first - **No characters/locations**: These are only imported from Plottr, Scrivener, yWriter, Longform/Obsidian, or novelWriter #### Missing references or notes (Longform/Obsidian) - Confirm reference notes live in recognizable folders (`characters/`, `locations/`, etc.) - Add `type`, `category`, or `tags` frontmatter to classify notes - Use `[[;Name]]` for characters and `[[~Place]]` for locations when a name could be ambiguous - Run the post-import reference classification dialog to adjust types → More import help: [Importing Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/) --- ### Sync & Reimport #### "Project has no source path" Sync and reimport only work for projects originally created by importing a source file. Blank projects (created without an import) cannot be synced. #### "Source file not found" The source file has been moved or deleted. Either move the original source file back to its original location, or start a fresh import from the new path. #### Changes not detected - Ensure the source file saved successfully before syncing - For Markdown sources: only outline structure is synced (no references), so reference changes won't appear - For Scrivener: sync/reimport is not supported. Use **Export → Scrivener → Update existing** to merge changes back into a `.scriv` bundle. → More sync help: [Sync & Reimport](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/sync-and-reimport/) --- ### Writing & Scenes #### Prose isn't saving kindling auto-saves as you type. If saving fails, it keeps the unsaved draft in the current session and offers a retry. Check the error and write access to the [app data directory](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/#project-data), then retry saving. If quitting prompts you to discard changes, choose to keep editing unless you intend to lose those unsaved edits. Choose **Keep editing** or press **Escape** in the quit prompt to return to your editor and selection. kindling restores the selection when that editor still belongs to the same scene and project and you have not moved focus to another control outside the prompt. #### A scene is read-only and I can't edit it The scene or its parent chapter is locked. Right-click the scene in the sidebar and choose **Unlock Scene** (or **Unlock Chapter** from the chapter). See [Scene Workflow](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/scene-workflow/#scene-locking). #### Discovery notes aren't showing up Discovery notes are per-scene and only appear when that scene is open. They don't appear in the sidebar or in exports. --- ### Keyboard Shortcuts #### My shortcut does not match the guide The guides show default bindings. Check the command's current shortcut in **Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts**, the menu, or the command palette. **Clear** leaves a command without a shortcut; **Reset all to defaults** restores all bindings. #### A combination is rejected Use Command on macOS or Ctrl on Windows/Linux with a supported key. If another command owns the combination, clear its binding first. Standard text editing, system, and dialog-navigation keys cannot be reassigned. #### Shortcuts cannot load or save Choose **Retry loading shortcuts** for a load error. **Reset all to defaults** can recover unusable saved bindings, but removes your customizations. If saving fails, resolve the reported error before trying again. See [Keyboard shortcuts](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/#keyboard-shortcuts). --- ### Exporting #### Custom export is unavailable or does not show my latest writing Check **Content** for a valid manuscript selection and finish any highlighted profile fields. The workspace loads saved writing when it opens; let your edits finish saving, then choose **Refresh saved manuscript**. If a destination already exists, use a new filename or folder name. See [Export Workspace troubleshooting](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/#if-export-is-unavailable). #### DOCX title page is blank or missing my name Open **File → Settings → Author & Contact**, fill in your details, and choose **Save author details**. A project pen name overrides the shared author name for that project. See [Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/). #### EPUB won't open in my e-reader Some e-readers (particularly older Kindles) are strict about EPUB compliance. Try opening the file in [Calibre](https://calibre-ebook.com/) first — it can validate and convert the file. If the issue persists, [report it on GitHub](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/issues). #### Scrivener export: scenes aren't matching correctly When using **Update existing**, the match preview shows how kindling scenes map to Scrivener documents before any changes are written. If matches look wrong, you can adjust them in the preview dialog before confirming. See [Exporting Projects](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/exporting-projects/#scrivener-scriv). --- ### Editorial Review #### A returned feedback file will not open in my project Feedback must return to the original project and its registered review round. A second project with the same title is not the same project. Open the original project, then open the `.kindling-feedback` file. Unsupported package versions and invalid files are reported before import. #### A suggestion no longer matches the manuscript If you changed the passage after exporting, compare the original, current, and suggested text. Select the intended passage and choose **Apply to selected passage**. Unlock a scene before accepting changes to it. See [Editorial Review](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/#return-and-decide-on-feedback). #### Review work cannot save Keep the workspace open and retry, or export a recovery `.kindling-review` file. You can open that recovery file on this or another installation and continue the review. Watch the save indicator before closing. ### Still stuck? Choose **Help → Send Feedback…** or use the feedback button in About. Sending feedback uses an internet connection when you submit the form. Writing and editorial review work locally, and the desktop app has no analytics or telemetry. - **Search the docs** — use the search bar at the top of any docs page (powered by Pagefind) - **Ask on Discord** — [discord.gg/g7bkj4kY8w](https://discord.gg/g7bkj4kY8w) - **Open an issue** — [github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/issues](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/issues) ## Writing Goals & Statistics URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/writing-progress/ kindling tracks the length of your manuscript and the words you add as you write. Counts and goals belong to each project, so work on one book does not count toward another book's goal. ### Where to see your progress The sidebar shows project, chapter, and scene word counts, plus today's progress, your session total, and your writing streak. The status bar at the bottom of the window keeps the current scene, chapter, project, and session totals visible when the sidebar is collapsed. Choose **Writing statistics** in the status bar to see: - Total manuscript words - Scenes with prose and empty scenes - Average words per scene, including empty scenes - A word count for each chapter Manuscript counts use saved prose from each scene's active Beat or Page view. Outline prompts and synopses do not count as manuscript words. Archived scenes and chapters are excluded. [Screenshot: Writing statistics showing manuscript totals, scenes with prose, and chapter word counts] ### Set a daily goal Open **File → Settings… → Project Details**, choose a project, and set its **Daily writing goal**. Choose **Save project changes** to save it. See [Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/) for the full set of project preferences. The default goal is **500 words**. Set it to **0** to turn the goal off. The project's overall **Word target** is separate from its daily goal. Changing the daily goal updates today's target. Earlier days retain the goals they had at the time. ### What counts toward today and your session Daily and session totals measure **net words added through saved edits**. Adding 300 words and deleting 100 earns 200 words. Deleting more than you add can make a total negative; it does not mean your manuscript has a negative word count. Imports, duplication, reorganisation, restoring a draft, and accepting editorial suggestions do not earn writing credit. They can change manuscript length without adding to today's writing total. A session measures work in that project since opening the app or resetting the session. Choose **Reset** beside the sidebar's session total to begin another session. Resetting does not clear today's total, your goal, or your writing history. If pending prose cannot be saved, resolve the save error before resetting. ### Writing streaks A streak counts consecutive days on which you met that day's goal, using your computer's local date. If you met yesterday's goal but have not met today's yet, yesterday's streak stays visible until midnight. Goals set to 0 do not earn streak days. The counts describe word changes. A day spent cutting or revising may move your manuscript forward without adding to a streak. ### If a count looks wrong Wait for prose to save, then open **Writing statistics** to refresh the breakdown. Check which view the scene uses and whether any scenes or chapters are archived. If kindling reports a save or statistics error, resolve it before relying on the displayed total. See [Scene Workflow](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/scene-workflow/) for drafting tools and [Editorial Review](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/) for suggestions and draft history. ## Architecture URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/contributing/architecture/ This document provides an overview of the kindling codebase for contributors. ### High-Level Overview kindling is a desktop application built with [Tauri](https://tauri.app/), which combines a Rust backend with a web-based frontend. The frontend uses Svelte 5 and communicates with the Rust backend via Tauri's IPC (Inter-Process Communication) system. ``` ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Desktop Window │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ │ │ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Svelte 5 Frontend │ │ │ │ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌─────────────────────┐ │ │ │ │ │ Sidebar │ │ Scene │ │ References Panel │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ Panel │ │ │ │ │ │ │ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └─────────────────────┘ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ┌──────┴──────┐ │ │ │ │ │ Stores │ (Svelte 5 runes) │ │ │ │ └──────┬──────┘ │ │ │ └─────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┘ │ │ │ invoke() │ │ ┌─────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Tauri IPC Bridge │ │ │ └─────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┘ │ │ │ │ │ ┌─────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ Rust Backend │ │ │ │ ┌──────────┐ ┌────┴─────┐ ┌──────────────────────┐ │ │ │ │ │ Parsers │ │ Commands │ │ Database │ │ │ │ │ │ (import) │ │ (IPC) │ │ (SQLite) │ │ │ │ │ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────────────────┘ │ │ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ``` ### Directory Structure ``` kindling/ ├── src/ # Svelte frontend │ ├── lib/ │ │ ├── components/ # UI components │ │ ├── stores/ # State management (Svelte 5 runes) │ │ └── types.ts # TypeScript interfaces │ ├── App.svelte # Root component │ └── main.ts # Entry point │ ├── src-tauri/ # Rust backend │ ├── src/ │ │ ├── lib.rs # App initialization, command registration │ │ ├── commands/ # Tauri IPC command handlers (by module) │ │ ├── models/ # Data structures │ │ ├── db/ # SQLite schema and queries │ │ └── parsers/ # Import format parsers │ └── tauri.conf.json # Tauri configuration │ ├── e2e/ # End-to-end tests (WebdriverIO) └── test-data/ # Test fixtures ``` ### Frontend Architecture #### Components (`src/lib/components/`) | Component | Purpose | | --------- | ------- | | `App.svelte` | Root component, routes between StartScreen and Editor | | `StartScreen.svelte` | Project selection and import UI | | `Sidebar.svelte` | Chapter/scene tree navigation | | `ScenePanel.svelte` | Main editing area with beats | | `ReferencesPanel.svelte` | Reference cards (characters, locations, items, objectives, organizations) | | `Onboarding.svelte` | First-launch tutorial flow | | `ContextMenu.svelte` | Right-click context menus | #### State Management (`src/lib/stores/`) kindling uses Svelte 5's runes-based reactivity with class-based stores: **`project.svelte.ts`** — Project data state: ```typescript currentProject.value; // Current Project or null currentProject.chapters; // Chapter[] currentProject.scenes; // Scene[] (for current chapter) currentProject.beats; // Beat[] (for current scene) currentProject.characters; // Character[] currentProject.locations; // Location[] ``` **`ui.svelte.ts`** — UI state: ```typescript ui.currentView; // 'start' | 'editor' ui.sidebarCollapsed; // boolean ui.referencesPanelCollapsed; // boolean ui.focusMode; // boolean ``` #### Data Flow 1. User interacts with a component 2. Component calls `invoke()` to send a command to Rust 3. Rust processes the command and returns data 4. Component updates the store 5. Reactive UI updates automatically ```typescript import { invoke } from "@tauri-apps/api/core"; import { currentProject } from "./lib/stores/project.svelte"; async function loadChapters(projectId: string) { const chapters = await invoke("get_chapters", { projectId }); currentProject.setChapters(chapters); } ``` ### Backend Architecture #### Commands (`src-tauri/src/commands/`) All frontend–backend communication goes through Tauri commands: ```rust #[tauri::command] pub async fn get_chapters( project_id: String, state: State<'_, AppState> ) -> Result, String> { let conn = state.db.lock().map_err(|e| e.to_string())?; db::get_chapters(&conn, &project_id).map_err(|e| e.to_string()) } ``` **Command categories:** | Category | Commands | |----------|---------| | Import | `import_plottr`, `import_markdown`, `import_ywriter`, `import_longform` | | CRUD | `get_*`, `create_*`, `delete_*`, `rename_*` | | Reorder | `reorder_chapters`, `reorder_scenes`, `move_scene_to_chapter` | | Sync | `get_sync_preview`, `apply_sync`, `reimport_project` | | Export | `export_to_docx`, `export_to_markdown`, `export_to_longform`, `export_to_epub` | | Settings | `get_app_settings`, `update_app_settings`, `update_project_settings` | #### Models (`src-tauri/src/models/`) | Model | Description | | ----- | ----------- | | `Project` | Top-level container, tracks source file | | `Chapter` | Groups scenes, has position for ordering | | `Scene` | Writing unit, contains synopsis and prose | | `Beat` | Story beat within a scene | | `Character` | Character reference with attributes | | `Location` | Location reference with attributes | #### Database (`src-tauri/src/db/`) SQLite, stored in the app's data directory (`kindling.db`). ``` projects → chapters → scenes → beats ↓ characters, locations, reference_items (with scene reference links) ``` Key concepts: - `source_id` — links imported items back to their source file IDs (for re-import sync) - `position` — integer for ordering within parent - `archived` — soft-delete flag - `locked` — prevents editing #### Parsers (`src-tauri/src/parsers/`) | Parser | File Type | Notes | | ------ | --------- | ----- | | `plottr.rs` | `.pltr` | JSON-based, extracts timeline/beats | | `markdown.rs` | `.md` | Heading-based outline format | | `ywriter.rs` | `.yw7` | yWriter project import | | `longform.rs` | `.md` | Longform/Obsidian index or vault import | Each parser returns a `ParsedProject` struct that gets inserted into the database. ### Testing | Type | Location | Framework | Command | |------|----------|-----------|---------| | Frontend | `src/**/*.test.ts` | Vitest + Testing Library | `npm test` | | Backend | `src-tauri/src/**/*.rs` | Rust built-in | `cd src-tauri && cargo test` | | E2E | `e2e/specs/` | WebdriverIO + Tauri driver | See `e2e/README.md` | ### Adding a New Feature #### New Tauri command 1. Add function in the appropriate `src-tauri/src/commands/` module 2. Register in `lib.rs` invoke_handler 3. Add TypeScript types to `types.ts` 4. Call via `invoke()` from the frontend #### New component 1. Create `.svelte` file in `src/lib/components/` 2. Add `data-testid` attributes for E2E tests 3. Import and use in parent component #### New database field 1. Add migration in `schema.rs` 2. Update model struct 3. Update relevant queries 4. Update TypeScript types ### Resources - [Tauri Documentation](https://tauri.app/start/) - [Svelte 5 Runes](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/what-are-runes) - [rusqlite](https://docs.rs/rusqlite/latest/rusqlite/) - [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling) --- # Blog ## Plottr Review (2026): Pricing, Pros and Cons URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/plottr-review/ Published: 2026-09-26 We make kindling, a free writing app that imports Plottr files, so we have a stake in how you read this. We have tried to write the review we would want if we were the ones deciding: what Plottr does well, what it costs, and where it stops. Every price, plan and platform detail below was checked on Plottr's own pages on 26 September 2026, in USD before tax. ### The short verdict Plottr is the best dedicated visual outliner for novelists, and its standard plan is fairly priced: $150 once for the Mac and Windows app, on as many household computers as you like. It is not a writing app. You plan in Plottr and write somewhere else, and whether that suits you decides whether Plottr is worth it. Buy it if you plan in detail, think in timelines or run a series. If you want one tool to outline and draft in, use the 30-day trial to find out whether the handoff to a second app bothers you before you pay. ### What Plottr is [Plottr](https://plottr.com/features/) is a desktop app for Windows and macOS for planning fiction. Its centre is a timeline of scene cards laid out across plotlines, so you can see every thread of the book at once. Around it sit a story bible of characters, places and notes, and an outline that Plottr builds from the timeline for you. ### What Plottr does well - **The timeline.** Drag scene cards between plotlines, colour-code subplots, and see the shape of the whole book on one screen. It is the most direct way we know to plan a novel visually. - **Templates.** More than 30 plot and scene templates, from three-act structure to named beat sheets, give you a starting shape instead of an empty grid. - **Series planning.** A series holds any number of books, with a view across all of them. For a long series, this alone can justify the price. - **Fair terms on the standard plan.** Files stay on your computer, the app works offline, it has no AI, and one purchase covers every device in your household. If a yearly plan lapses, the app keeps working; it just stops updating. - **A way out.** Plottr [exports to Word and Scrivener](https://docs.plottr.com/article/66-exporting), so the outline can follow you into a writing app. ### Where Plottr stops - **There is no writing area.** Scene cards hold notes, not a manuscript. [Reedsy's review](https://reedsy.com/blog/guide/book-writing-software/plottr-review/) says the same: Plottr "doesn't have a writing area". When the outline is done, you export it and draft somewhere else, and the outline becomes a reference in another window. - **Browser, tablet and sync live in Pro, at a different price.** Pro is $9.99 a month, $99 a year or $599 lifetime. Pro keeps projects in the cloud, so if a Pro plan lapses you cannot open them until you renew. - **No phone app at the moment.** Plottr [removed its mobile app from the app stores](https://docs.plottr.com/article/117-mobile-new-mobile-app-incoming-please-read) and is rebuilding it, with no date given. On a tablet, you use Pro's browser app. - **Linux is unofficial.** A [beta AppImage and deb exist](https://docs.plottr.com/article/31-can-i-install-plottr-for-linux), but Plottr calls them unsupported and says they may be discontinued. Automatic updates do not work there. - **Co-writing costs per person.** Each co-author needs their own Pro subscription. - **No refunds.** Plottr offers up to five hours of outlining coaching instead, if the app does not help you finish an outline. ### Plottr pricing in 2026 | Plan | Monthly | Yearly | Lifetime | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Plottr | — | $60 | $150 | | Plottr Pro | $9.99 | $99 | $599 | | Plottr Pro + Community | $14.99 | $129 | $649 | [Plottr's pricing page](https://plottr.com/pricing/) shows a higher list price struck through beside most plans, $199 for the standard lifetime plan for example. The display has been there since at least March 2026; the figures above are what it charges. There is a 30-day free trial and no free plan. To see these beside Scrivener's licences, read the [Plottr and Scrivener pricing table](https://kindlingwriter.com/plottr-vs-scrivener/#pricing). ### Which plan is worth it? - **Most writers: the standard lifetime plan, $150.** It costs less than three years of the $60 yearly plan, and lifetime plans keep receiving updates. - **Pro, only if you need it.** Pay for Pro if you plan on a tablet or co-write in real time. Lifetime Pro at $599 is about six years of yearly Pro, so buy it only if you are sure. - **Pro + Community is for the courses.** The extra $30 a year over Pro buys a private community and Plottr's course library, not more software. ### Does Plottr use AI? No. The app has none, and the standard plan lists "No AI" among its features. The same company sells [Storysnap](https://storysnap.ai/), a separate paid service, $50 per manuscript, that uses AI to turn a finished manuscript into a Plottr project. It is optional and sits outside the app. ### Plottr alternatives - **Draft in the same tool.** kindling imports `.pltr` files directly: Plottr's beats become chapters, scene cards become scenes, and characters and places come across with their custom attributes and the scenes they appear in. You then draft each scene with its outline beside the prose. It is free, open source and runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. See the [Plottr import details](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/#plottr-pltr). - **Plan in Plottr, write in Scrivener.** The most common pairing; the [Plottr vs Scrivener comparison](https://kindlingwriter.com/plottr-vs-scrivener/) covers how the two split the work. - **Something else entirely.** Our list of [the best Plottr alternatives](https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/best-plottr-alternatives-for-fiction-writers/) covers Dabble, Campfire, Novelcrafter and Obsidian too. ### Frequently asked questions #### Is Plottr worth it? For a writer who outlines in detail, yes: the $150 lifetime plan is a fair price for the best visual outliner available. For a writer who wants to outline and draft in one place, Plottr covers only the first half, so budget for a writing app too. #### Is Plottr a one-time purchase? It can be. Every plan has a lifetime option: $150 for Plottr, $599 for Pro and $649 for Pro + Community. Plottr also sells yearly plans, and Pro plans monthly. #### Does Plottr have a free version? No. There is a 30-day free trial, then a paid plan. #### Does Plottr work on Linux, iPad or Android? Only partly. The Linux build is an unsupported beta. On iPad, Android and Chromebooks, Plottr runs through the Pro plan's browser app; there is no native mobile app at the moment. #### Can I move my Plottr outline into a writing app? Yes. Plottr exports to Word and Scrivener, and kindling opens `.pltr` files directly, keeping scenes, characters and places linked. Follow the guide to [turning an outline into a first draft](https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/how-to-turn-your-novel-outline-into-a-first-draft/) once it is in. [Download kindling Writer free →](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) ## kindling v1.3: Keep Writing. Bring Your Editor Along. URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/kindling-v1-3-writing-and-review/ Published: 2026-09-09 kindling v1.3 has a new look and new ways to share your writing. Meet **Press**, our editorial design for the app and website, exchange manuscript feedback, and prepare custom exports for your next reader. Daily writing goals, customizable shortcuts, and one Settings window round out the release. ### Meet Press Open kindling and the change is immediate: warm paper surfaces, bookish headings, and a writing space that feels at home with a manuscript. Press gives the app and website one visual language. Newsreader carries your prose, Fraunces shapes the headings, and Inter keeps controls clear. Fine rules separate sections, with terracotta marking actions and selections. In the app, both light and dark themes share the same care for reading. ![kindling’s Page view in the new Press design, with serif prose on a warm paper writing surface](../../assets/page-view.png) The aim is a comfortable place to spend time with your story, from the first beat to the next revision. A theme-matched loading screen carries that design through startup. It respects reduced-motion preferences and clears as soon as the interface is ready, without adding a timed delay. ### Bring your editor into the manuscript Choose **File → Editorial Review** to send your whole manuscript or selected chapters as a `.kindling-review` file. Add a brief, name the round, and share the file however you prefer. Both you and your editor use kindling. The review itself needs no account or internet connection. Your editor can read and edit normally. Typing, deleting, pasting, and formatting become tracked suggestions. Comments support replies, resolution, and reopening. **Simple markup** keeps the prose readable with indicators in the margin; **All markup** shows the pending insertions and deletions. The start screen’s **Open Review Package** action opens review and feedback files. When a `.kindling-feedback` file comes back, importing it adds the feedback to your project. You decide which suggestions to accept or reject. If you have rewritten a passage while the review was out, kindling lets you compare the original, your current prose, and the suggestion before applying it to the passage you choose. You can also use **Revisions** for your own editing pass, without exchanging files. Suggest changes, discuss a passage, or compare saved drafts while your outline remains beside the manuscript. [Screenshot: Manuscript markup and a conversation beside the passage under review] [Read the editorial review guide](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/editorial-review/). ### An export for each reader An agent's submission requirements, your writing group's reading copy, and chapters for your website each call for different settings. The new **Custom export workspace** lets you save a profile for each, with your chapter selection, typography, and book details. Choose **File → Export → Custom** and start with **Agent submission**, **Writing group**, or **Website chapters**. Adjust settings beside a manuscript preview, then reuse your profile next time. Word offers page layout and running headers; EPUB includes book metadata and an optional cover. HTML and plain-text manuscript exports are new, too. [Screenshot: Custom export controls for font, size, line spacing, and paragraph indentation] **The simple exports are still there.** Choose Word, ePub, Markdown, or another standard format directly when you just need a file. Custom is optional, and changing export settings leaves your writing in kindling unchanged. [Explore the export workspace](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/export-workspace/). ### See the work you put in Word counts now follow you through the manuscript: scene, chapter, project, and session totals stay visible in the status bar, even with the sidebar closed. Open **Writing statistics** for a chapter breakdown, scenes with prose, empty scenes, and average scene length. Set a daily goal for each project and follow your progress in the sidebar. The default is 500 words; set it to zero if a daily target does not help your writing. Streaks count consecutive days when you meet your goal. Daily and session totals count net words added through saved edits. Add 300 words and cut 100, and your total is 200. Imports, duplicated scenes, restored drafts, and accepted editorial suggestions do not earn writing credit. Your manuscript can get better on a day when the number goes down. [Screenshot: Writing statistics with manuscript totals and a chapter breakdown] [Learn about goals, sessions, and statistics](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/writing-progress/). ### Pick up the thread Open a scene and **Previously** shows the preceding scene's title, synopsis, and last three sentences. It follows manuscript order across chapters and reads the prose from the active Beat or Page view. Collapse it when you want more room; kindling remembers your preference. kindling also remembers where you were working in each project: the scene, expanded beat, cursor, and scroll position. Return after a break and carry on from the same place. ### Make a change across the draft Renamed a character halfway through a book? **Find and Replace in Project** lets you search across your prose, match case or whole words, and replace one occurrence or all editable matches. You can narrow the search to a scene and jump straight to a passage from the results. Replacements preserve formatting outside the match and skip locked scenes and chapters. **Undo replacement** is available while the dialog stays open. [See search scope and shortcuts](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/scene-workflow/#find-and-replace). ### Take your story world into the next book Choose **Copy references from project…** to bring characters, locations, and other references into another project. Review your selection before copying, including descriptions, notes, custom fields, and tags. Possible duplicates are skipped by default. Choose **Keep both** when you want a separate version. Existing references are never overwritten, and each copy can evolve with its book: changes in one project do not update another. [Learn how reference copying works](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/references/#copying-references-between-projects). ### Bring novelWriter with you novelWriter joins the supported import formats. Select the project folder to bring in chapters, scenes, prose, synopses, beat comments, and reference notes. You can export a novelWriter project too, for use with novelWriter 26.2 or newer. For projects linked to a novelWriter source, Sync lets you compare incoming prose with your current draft and choose which changes to accept. Prose changes start unselected. Export to a new empty folder when you want to take kindling changes back to novelWriter. [Read the novelWriter workflow](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/#novelwriter-project-folder). ### One place for settings The new **Settings** window gathers appearance, shortcuts, author details, project preferences, reference types, tags, and custom fields into one place. Open it from the project sidebar footer, **File → Settings…**, or the command palette. Its sidebar project selector lets you configure another book while keeping your current manuscript open. Draft changes stay with you as you move between settings areas. Before switching projects or closing the window with unsaved changes, kindling asks whether to discard them or keep editing. [Screenshot: The unified Settings window with Appearance & Guidance selected] [Explore Settings](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/). ### Shortcuts that fit your hands Remap kindling commands and prose formatting in **Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts**. Find a command, select its binding, and press your preferred combination. Menus, the command palette, and shortcut hints update immediately, and your choices stay across launches. Conflicts tell you which command already uses the keys. Clear a binding to free it up, or reset everything to the defaults. Familiar text editing and system keys keep their usual jobs. [Customize your shortcuts](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/settings/#keyboard-shortcuts). [Screenshot: Keyboard Shortcuts filtered to Find commands, with their bindings, Clear, and Reset all to defaults] ### More care around saving Autosave keeps your editing focus in place. Failed drafts stay available with retry and discard choices, and kindling saves pending prose, synopses, and writing position before quitting or applying an update. Update and relaunch failures now show an error you can act on. Cancelling quit after a save failure returns you to your writing selection. New project snapshots keep independent files, so deleting one leaves the others intact. Manuscript exports use the active writing view once, leaving out cached prose from the other view. You can also report a problem or request a feature through **Help → Send Feedback…**. Submitting feedback sends the form over the internet. Your writing and editorial review stay local, and the desktop app has no analytics or telemetry. On Linux, this release includes an attempted workaround for the reported white window at startup. It remains unverified against that report; see [troubleshooting](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/troubleshooting/#linux-white-window-on-startup) if you encounter it. kindling remains free and open source, with no account required. When you're ready for another pair of eyes, your manuscript can make that trip as a file. ## Best Plottr Alternatives for Fiction Writers in 2026 URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/best-plottr-alternatives-for-fiction-writers/ Published: 2026-04-20 (updated 2026-09-12) Plottr is a beloved outlining tool. Visual timelines, beat sheets, templates for every story structure -- it earns its reputation. But once you've outlined your novel in Plottr, you still have to open a different app to actually write it. That's where a lot of writers get stuck. This post covers the best Plottr alternatives in 2026, ranked by what they do well and who they're for. If you are still deciding on Plottr itself, start with our [Plottr review](https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/plottr-review/). Plottr, Scrivener, Dabble, and Campfire prices checked 12 September 2026 in USD before tax. Follow the linked vendor pages for billing terms and current offers. ### What to look for in a Plottr alternative Plottr's strengths are template-driven plotting, visual timelines, and structure. A worthy alternative should match at least one of those and add something Plottr doesn't do -- usually, drafting. Our shortlist weighs: - **Outline depth** -- can you break a novel into acts, sequences, scenes, and beats? - **Drafting integration** -- can you write the book in the same tool? - **Import/export** -- can you move existing Plottr projects in? - **Price** -- The [Plottr desktop plan](https://plottr.com/pricing/) is $60/year or $150 lifetime. Free alternatives exist. - **Platform** -- desktop, web, mobile, cross-sync. ### 1. kindling Writer -- best for plotters who want to draft in one tool **Price:** Free (open-source) · **Platform:** macOS, Windows, Linux kindling was built for the moment Plottr stops being useful: when you have a complete outline and need to turn it into prose. It imports Plottr `.pltr` files directly, so your scenes, beats, and characters come across intact. Then it pins your outline beside the draft, so you never lose the thread while writing. **Where it beats Plottr:** - Drafting is first-class -- you don't leave the tool to write - Free and open-source, no subscription - Works offline, no account required - Scrivener and yWriter import too, if you've moved around **Where Plottr still wins:** Visual timelines and story-structure templates. If template-driven plotting is your whole workflow, pair Plottr with kindling instead of replacing it. [Download kindling free →](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) ### 2. Scrivener -- best for heavy-research novels **Price:** [$59.99 per desktop platform](https://www.literatureandlatte.com/crossgrading) · **Platform:** macOS, Windows, iOS Scrivener's corkboard and binder have been the industry standard for 20 years. It's less template-driven than Plottr but more flexible for writers who want to restructure as they go. Scrivener's research folder and snapshots are unmatched for novels that need to track a lot of external material. **Where it beats Plottr:** Drafting environment, research organization, compile/export. **Where Plottr still wins:** Beat-sheet templates, visual plot timelines, shared character and worldbuilding fields. See our deeper [Plottr vs Scrivener comparison](https://kindlingwriter.com/plottr-vs-scrivener/) or the [free Scrivener alternative guide](https://kindlingwriter.com/free-scrivener-alternative/) for details. ### 3. Novelcrafter -- best for AI-assisted plotting **Price:** $4--$20/month · **Platform:** Web Novelcrafter combines a codex (worldbuilding), scene cards, and an AI writing assistant. It's the closest thing to a modern Plottr-plus-Scrivener hybrid, but it's cloud-only and subscription-based. **Where it beats Plottr:** AI drafting, modern UI, codex for worldbuilding. **Where Plottr still wins:** Offline use, one-time pricing, no AI dependency. ### 4. Campfire Write -- best for worldbuilding-heavy fiction **Price:** [Free tier; displayed $12/month offer for paid access](https://www.campfirewriting.com/pricing) · **Platform:** Web Campfire organizes its worldbuilding and manuscript tools into modules; its current paid plan includes access to all modules. It's strongest for fantasy and sci-fi writers tracking dozens of characters, locations, and magic systems. **Where it beats Plottr:** Worldbuilding depth, relationship graphs. **Where Plottr still wins:** Simplicity and focus on plot structure specifically. ### 5. Dabble -- best cloud-based alternative **Price:** [$19--$49/month; $699 lifetime Author access](https://www.dabblewriter.com/pricing) · **Platform:** Web, macOS, Windows Dabble is the most direct Plottr-to-drafting replacement on the list. It combines plotting, drafting, and goal tracking in one clean interface. Subscription and lifetime Author plans are available. **Where it beats Plottr:** Drafting in the same tool, cloud sync. **Where Plottr still wins:** One-time purchase option, richer templates. ### 6. Obsidian + community plugins -- best free power-user option **Price:** Free · **Platform:** macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android With the right plugins (Longform, Novel Word Count, Kanban), Obsidian becomes a surprisingly capable novel workspace. The learning curve is steep and nothing is pre-built for fiction, but the ceiling is high. **Where it beats Plottr:** Free, extensible, offline, graph view for character and world relationships. **Where Plottr still wins:** Out-of-the-box plotting experience; no setup required. ### Comparison at a glance | Tool | Outline | Draft | Free | Offline | Import Plottr | | --------------- | ------- | ----- | ---- | ------- | ------------- | | kindling Writer | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Scrivener | ✓ | ✓ | -- | ✓ | -- | | Novelcrafter | ✓ | ✓ | -- | -- | -- | | Campfire Write | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | -- | -- | | Dabble | ✓ | ✓ | -- | Partial | -- | | Obsidian | Partial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | -- | ### Migrating from Plottr: the workflow we recommend If you already have a novel outlined in Plottr, don't start over. Here's the fastest migration: 1. Locate your saved Plottr `.pltr` project file. 2. Open kindling and choose **Import → Plottr**. 3. Your scenes, beats, chapters, and characters come across as a navigable outline. 4. Draft scene-by-scene with the outline pinned beside your prose. You keep the plotting work you already did and gain a drafting environment built around it. Check the [supported import details](https://kindlingwriter.com/docs/importing-projects/#plottr-pltr), then follow our guide to [turning an outline into a first draft](https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/how-to-turn-your-novel-outline-into-a-first-draft/). ### Which Plottr alternative should you pick? - **You want free, offline, and to draft in one tool:** kindling Writer - **You want the industry-standard writing environment:** Scrivener - **You want AI help and don't mind cloud + subscription:** Novelcrafter - **You're worldbuilding-heavy:** Campfire Write - **You want cloud sync and an all-in-one subscription:** Dabble - **You're a power user who wants to build your own system:** Obsidian The right tool is the one that gets you from "I outlined my novel" to "I drafted my novel." Plottr is excellent at the first half. Pick the alternative that handles the second. [Download kindling Writer -- free →](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) ## kindling v1.2: Light Theme, Scrivener Workflow, Screenplays & More URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/kindling-v1-2-biggest-update-yet/ Published: 2026-04-08 (updated 2026-04-08) v1.2 is our biggest release to date. 75 files changed, approximately 14,200 lines added, 12 issues closed across five implementation phases. It touches every part of the app — from how it looks to what you can build with it. Here's what's new, and why we built it. ### Light theme This was our number one adoption blocker. Every competitor offers a light theme; we were dark-only. Not anymore. kindling now supports **light**, **dark**, and **system** themes. System mode follows your OS preference automatically — if your Mac switches to dark mode at sunset, kindling follows. Switch manually from Settings → Appearance. ### Full-page prose editing Since v1.0, drafting in kindling has meant writing into individual beats — collapsible cards that act as prompts. That's still there, and many writers love it. But some writers want an uninterrupted writing surface, especially once they've internalized the scene's structure. Now you can **toggle between beat view and page view** per scene. Page view gives you a full-page prose editor while keeping your beats available for reference in the panel alongside. Switch back and forth as needed — your prose is the same either way. ### Bidirectional Scrivener workflow This is the headline feature. kindling can now **import from and export to Scrivener 3**. **Import:** Open a .scriv bundle and kindling parses the binder hierarchy into chapters and scenes, converts RTF content preserving formatting, and extracts synopses and document metadata. **Export:** Create a new .scriv bundle from your kindling project, or update an existing one. The match preview dialog shows exactly how your kindling scenes map to Scrivener documents before any changes are written — so you can review the mapping before committing. The workflow we designed for: 1. **Plan in Plottr** — build your timeline, beats, and character arcs 2. **Import into kindling** — your outline becomes interactive writing prompts 3. **Draft in kindling** — write with your beats and character context visible 4. **Export to Scrivener** — hand off to Scrivener for revision and compilation Plan in Plottr, draft in kindling, revise in Scrivener. The full round-trip now works. ### Screenplay projects kindling isn't just for novelists anymore. v1.2 introduces a **Screenplay** project type with: - **Slugline input** — INT./EXT. with time-of-day parsing - **Page count estimator** — based on the industry standard of 250 words per page - **Treatment generation** — export a 1-page or 5-page treatment as DOCX from your synopses Screenplay projects otherwise work identically to novel projects — beats, references, and export all function the same way. ### Story structure templates When you create a new project, kindling can pre-populate your outline with a story structure template: **Beat sheet templates:** Save the Cat (Blake Snyder), Hero's Journey (Joseph Campbell), Three-Act Structure **Novel structure templates:** Seven-Point Story Structure (Dan Wells), Snowflake Method (Randy Ingermanson), Story Grid (Shawn Coyne) Templates create placeholder chapters and scenes with the appropriate beat scaffolding. Customise or delete anything they generate. ### Custom fields & tags References now support **typed custom field definitions**. Instead of plain key-value pairs, you can define fields with specific types — text, number, date, select, and multi-select. Field definitions are per-project and apply consistently across all references of a given type. On top of that, a new **hierarchical tagging system** with up to three levels of nesting, colours, descriptions, and a dedicated Tag Manager. Apply tags to scenes, characters, locations, and other entities. Create **saved filters** to quickly surface references matching specific criteria. [Screenshot: Typed custom field definitions for characters — Role as a select, Age as a number, Wants as text and Traits as multi-select] ### Smart reference detection A non-AI detection engine that scans your prose for character, location, and item names. When matches are found, suggestions appear in the References panel — link them with one click, or dismiss. No AI, no cloud, no magic. Just pattern matching against your own reference names. It reinforces our core philosophy: kindling helps you write — it doesn't write for you. [Screenshot: Detected references surfacing in the panel with a confidence level and the matched text, ready to link in one click] ### EPUB export hardening Smart quote handling improvements, formatting consistency across Classic, Modern, and Minimal themes, and expanded test coverage. --- ### Get it kindling updates automatically — if you have v1.1.x, you'll see a banner prompting you to restart. Or download fresh from [kindlingwriter.com/download](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/). Full technical changelog: [v1.2.0 release on GitHub](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/releases/tag/v1.2.0) Every word in your kindling draft is yours. That's not a limitation — it's the whole point. ## The Best Story Outlining Software for Fiction Writers in 2026 URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/best-story-outlining-software-2026/ Published: 2026-03-30 (updated 2026-09-25) Some writers think in visual timelines. Others want everything in one app. Some just want to outline and get out of the way so they can draft. The best tool depends on which of those writers you are. Here's what's actually worth your time in 2026, what each one costs, and where each one falls short. Plottr, Scrivener, and Dabble prices checked 12 September 2026 in USD before tax: [Plottr plans](https://plottr.com/pricing/), [Scrivener desktop licences](https://www.literatureandlatte.com/crossgrading), and [Dabble plans](https://www.dabblewriter.com/pricing). ### Quick Comparison | Tool | Price | Model | Best For | |------|-------|-------|----------| | **Scrivener** | $59.99 | One-time | All-in-one manuscript management | | **Plottr** | $60--129/yr | Subscription (lifetime available) | Visual plotters and series writers | | **Novelcrafter** | $4--20/mo | Subscription | AI-forward authors and worldbuilders | | **Dabble** | $19--49/mo | Subscription (lifetime available) | Writers who want simplicity and sync | | **Story Architect** | Free--$8.34/mo | Freemium open-core | Multi-format and budget-conscious writers | | **kindling** | Free | Open source | Plotters who want outlines visible while drafting | ### Scrivener -- $59.99, one-time Scrivener has been the default recommendation in writing communities for over a decade, and for good reason. Its Binder organizes chapters, scenes, research, and notes in a single collapsible sidebar. The Corkboard view lets you arrange scenes like index cards. The Outliner view gives you a spreadsheet-style overview with custom metadata columns. And the Compile system can output your manuscript to Word, PDF, ePub, or Kindle format. The one-time price of $59.99 generates enormous goodwill in a market increasingly dominated by subscriptions. Writers on Reddit consistently describe it as worth every penny. Where it falls short: The learning curve is real. Entire paid courses exist just to teach you how to use it. The interface hasn't had a meaningful design update in years, Windows releases lag behind Mac, and there's no cloud sync, no collaboration, and no mobile app beyond iOS. Development has been limited to maintenance patches--Scrivener 3 shipped in 2017 and there's been no announcement of a version 4. **Best for:** Writers who want a single environment for organizing, drafting, and compiling manuscripts--and don't mind investing time to learn the tool. ### Plottr -- $60--129/year (or $150--649 lifetime) Plottr's core appeal is its visual timeline: a drag-and-drop grid showing chapters on one axis and color-coded plotline threads on the other. You can see your entire story structure at a glance, which makes it easier to spot pacing problems and plot holes than any text-based outline. The template library is a major draw--over 40 frameworks including the Hero's Journey, Save the Cat, the Snowflake Method, and genre-specific templates for romance, mystery, and thriller. Character sheets, a series bible, and a new Family Tree feature round out the planning tools. Plottr exports to Word and Scrivener. The catch: Plottr is a planning tool, not a writing tool. You cannot draft your manuscript in it. Once your outline is done, you need a second app to actually write. The Pro lifetime price of $599 is steep for a tool that only handles one phase of the process. Plottr has also stated publicly that AI features will never come to the platform. **Best for:** Visual thinkers who plan in story beats and timelines, especially series writers who need to track continuity across multiple books. ### Novelcrafter -- $4--20/month Novelcrafter is the power-user's choice, built around an AI-integrated writing environment with the most sophisticated story bible (called the Codex) in any fiction tool. The Codex functions like a personal wiki--characters, locations, lore, factions, and relationships all linked and auto-detected in your manuscript. The AI integration is genuinely flexible. Novelcrafter uses a bring-your-own-key model: connect your own API key from OpenAI, Anthropic, or OpenRouter, then customize every prompt. You choose the model, control the cost, and own the output. For writers who don't want AI at all, the Scribe tier at $4/month works as a pure writing and organization tool with no AI features. Where it struggles: Novelcrafter is browser-only with no offline mode, which is a dealbreaker for some. Setting up API keys adds friction if you're not technically inclined. And the depth of features can feel overwhelming--reviewers frequently compare it to Photoshop in terms of capability and learning curve. **Best for:** Writers who want deep worldbuilding tools and optional AI assistance, especially fantasy and sci-fi authors managing complex series. ### Dabble -- $19--49/month (or $699 lifetime Author access) Dabble has the broadest platform support of any tool on this list: web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and mobile (iOS and Android), all with seamless offline sync. The interface is clean and intuitive--reviewers consistently describe it as "Scrivener without the learning curve." The Plot Grid (included in the $19/month Writer tier) is Dabble's signature planning feature, letting you visually organize plotlines, character arcs, and chapter structure. Story Notes provide dedicated sections for character profiles and worldbuilding. Built-in word count goals with NaNoWriMo integration help with accountability. Dabble's [current plans](https://www.dabblewriter.com/pricing) are Writer at $19/month, Author at $29/month, and Bestseller at $49/month. Plot Grid and story organization are included in Writer; Author adds editing and review features. Lifetime Author access is $699. Compare the recurring expense and cloud workflow with the desktop alternatives before choosing. **Best for:** Writers who prioritize cross-device access and a gentle learning curve, especially if you write on both desktop and mobile. ### Story Architect (STARC) -- Free, with paid tiers Story Architect is the under-the-radar pick. It's an open-core tool with a genuinely generous free tier (unlimited projects, full editing capabilities) and optional paid features at $4.17/month or a $150 lifetime for the Pro tier. What makes it unique: STARC supports multiple writing formats in a single project--screenplays, novels, comic books, stage plays, and audio dramas--all sharing a common story bible. It also has the widest platform coverage of any tool here, with native apps on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. The tradeoff is maturity. STARC is still at version 0.8.x and hasn't reached a 1.0 release. Novel-specific features feel secondary to the screenplay tools it evolved from, and the community is small. But development is active, and for the price, there's a lot here. **Best for:** Writers working across formats (screenwriters who also write novels), Linux users, and anyone who wants capable planning tools without spending anything. ### kindling -- Free, open source Full disclosure: this is our tool. But here's the honest case for it. kindling solves a specific problem that none of the tools above fully address: what happens *after* you finish your outline. You've built a detailed plan in Plottr or your notes app, you open a blank document to draft, and none of that planning context is there with you. Your character details are in one app, your scene beats in another, and you're writing blind. kindling imports outlines from Plottr, Scrivener, yWriter, Obsidian Longform, novelWriter, and Markdown, then presents them in a scaffolded writing view where scene beats appear as expandable prompts. Characters and locations referenced in a scene automatically surface in a side panel. You write directly into the structure you already built. It's MIT-licensed, runs locally on your computer (under 100 MB installed), and stores everything in SQLite files on your machine. No accounts, no cloud, no subscriptions, no AI. It's a younger, more focused tool, so it doesn't have the feature depth of Scrivener's Compile system or Novelcrafter's Codex. But for the specific workflow of outline-aware drafting, nothing else does what kindling does--and it costs nothing. Available on macOS, Windows, and Linux at [kindlingwriter.com](https://kindlingwriter.com/). **Best for:** Plotters and outliners who want their plan visible while they draft, without paying for features they don't need. ### Making Your Choice There's no single right answer. The best tool is the one that disappears while you write--the one you stop thinking about because it's just *working*. A few guidelines: **If you want everything in one place** and don't mind a learning curve: Scrivener. **If you think visually** and want a dedicated planning tool to pair with your writing app: Plottr. **If you want AI assistance and deep worldbuilding** tools: Novelcrafter (even the $4/month Scribe tier is strong without AI). **If you write across multiple devices** and value simplicity: Dabble. **If budget matters most** and you want capable, no-cost tools: Story Architect's free tier, or kindling, which is free outright. Neither is a crippled trial version. **If you already have an outline** and want to draft with your plan visible: [kindling](https://kindlingwriter.com/). Try a couple. Most offer free trials or free tiers. Use them on a real project for a week, not just a test document. If a tool makes the words come easier, you've found the right one. ## kindling v1.1: Plantser Support, Rolling Outlines & Auto-Updates URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/kindling-v1-1-plantser-support/ Published: 2026-03-16 (updated 2026-03-16) When we launched kindling in beta, it was built around a simple idea: your outline should be visible while you write. That resonated with plotters -- writers who plan every beat before drafting. But we kept hearing from writers who don't fit neatly into the plotter box. They plan *some* things. They discover others along the way. They're plantsers. kindling v1.1 is our answer: a release that makes the app flexible enough for writers at every point on the plotter-to-pantser spectrum, while keeping the structured scaffolding that plotters depend on. ### Rolling Outline Mode The headline feature in v1.1 is **Rolling Outline Mode** -- a system that lets you control how much structure each chapter and scene has. Every scene now has one of three planning states: - **Fixed** -- full beat scaffolding, references, and discovery notes. This is the existing kindling experience that plotters know and love. - **Flexible** -- title and synopsis only. Beats are hidden until you're ready for them. Perfect for scenes you have a general idea about but haven't detailed yet. - **Undefined** -- a placeholder. You know the scene exists, but you haven't planned it yet. The key insight is that scenes can be **promoted progressively**: Undefined to Flexible to Fixed, as your story takes shape. The sidebar adapts automatically -- Undefined chapters show a placeholder, Flexible chapters show simplified title-only scene lists, and Fixed chapters show the full outline with filters and drag-and-drop. This means you can start a project with a vague sense of your story's arc and add structure incrementally. No more needing every beat planned before you open your drafting space. ### Blank Projects Until now, kindling required you to import an outline from Plottr, yWriter, or Markdown. That made sense for the beta, but it was a barrier for writers who wanted to build their outline directly in kindling. v1.1 adds **File > New Project** (`Cmd+N`). Start with an empty chapter and build your outline from scratch. New scenes default to Undefined, so you can define structure as you go -- or jump straight to Fixed if you already know your beats. ### Beat Management Beats are the building blocks of your scenes in kindling. v1.1 gives you much more control over them: - **Delete beats** via context menu or keyboard - **Reorder beats** with drag-and-drop - **Split prose into beats** -- break a long prose block into individual beats - **Merge beats** -- combine adjacent beats into one - **Beat density indicator** -- a visual gauge showing how detailed each scene is ### Inline Discovery Notes Inspiration doesn't always arrive on schedule. Discovery notes (`Cmd+D`) let you capture ideas mid-writing without leaving your scene. They live alongside your prose and can be promoted to full beats when you're ready. Notes persist across sessions with snapshot support. This is especially useful for plantsers: you're writing a Fixed scene and suddenly realize a character needs a subplot three chapters from now. Jot a discovery note, keep writing, and deal with it later. ### Command Palette Press `Cmd+K` to open the command palette. Fuzzy search across all available actions -- import, export, settings, navigation, and more. Arrow keys to navigate, Enter to execute. If you've used VS Code or Raycast, you'll feel right at home. ### Guided Onboarding First-time users now see a step-by-step guided tour covering the sidebar, scene panel, references panel, and sync. We've also added a sample project to explore immediately, plus a Quick Start guide accessible from the Help menu (`Cmd+Shift+H`). ### Sidebar UX Overhaul The sidebar got a serious cleanup. Export, Snapshots, and Archive are now tucked behind a "more" menu. Scene filters are consolidated into a compact toggle. Scene rows are cleaner with redundant icons removed. Context menus now include a flyout for planning status selection, and Flexible/Undefined chapters support inline synopsis editing. ### Auto-Updater This is the last version you'll need to download manually. kindling now checks for updates automatically on launch. When a new version is available, it downloads silently in the background and shows a non-blocking banner: *"kindling vX.Y.Z is ready -- Restart to update."* ### Start Screen Redesign The start screen now uses a two-column golden ratio layout (38.2% / 61.8%), giving more room to recent projects. The default window size is now 1600x1000 with a minimum of 1360x800. ### Upgrading If you have v1.0.x installed, just [download v1.1.0](https://kindlingwriter.com/download/) and install it over your existing installation. Your projects are stored separately and will be preserved. Going forward, kindling will handle updates for you automatically. For the full list of changes, see the [release notes on GitHub](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling/releases/tag/v1.1.0). As always, we'd love to hear from you. Join us on [Discord](https://discord.gg/g7bkj4kY8w), open an issue on [GitHub](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling), or just start writing. That's what kindling is for. ## How to Turn Your Novel Outline Into a First Draft -- A Plotter's Guide URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/how-to-turn-your-novel-outline-into-a-first-draft/ Published: 2026-03-11 (updated 2026-03-11) ### The plotter's paradox Plotters spend weeks--sometimes months--building outlines. Character arcs, beat sheets, scene lists, chapter breakdowns. The planning feels productive because it *is* productive. You're solving story problems before they become manuscript problems. You're making decisions about structure before you're 40,000 words deep and too committed to change course. But then the outline is done, and the cursor blinks on an empty page. This is where many plotters stall. Not because they lack a plan, but because the gap between a tidy outline and a messy first draft feels enormous. The outline is structured, logical, complete. The draft has to be emotional, embodied, alive. And the jump between those two things is genuinely hard. Most [writing advice skips this step entirely](https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/why-plotters-need-better-writing-software/). It assumes that if you have an outline, drafting is just a matter of sitting down and typing. But any plotter who has stared at a scene summary and tried to turn that into three pages of dialogue, subtext, and emotional weight knows it's not that simple. This guide is for that moment. We'll walk through a process that bridges the gap between outline and draft--step by step, scene by scene, beat by beat. ### Step 1: Audit your outline before you start drafting Before you write a single word of prose, take one pass through your outline with fresh eyes. You're not looking for perfection--you're looking for **gaps that will stop you mid-draft**. Ask yourself these questions for each scene or chapter: - **Do I know whose POV this scene is in?** If you're writing multi-POV, lock this down now. Switching POV mid-draft is one of the most disorienting reasons plotters stall. - **Do I know what changes by the end of this scene?** Every scene should move something--a relationship, a piece of information, an emotional state. If nothing changes, the scene may not need to exist. - **Do I have at least a vague sense of the setting?** You don't need a floor plan. But knowing whether a conversation happens in a car or a kitchen changes the prose significantly. - **Is this scene carrying too much weight?** If your outline says "Elena discovers the truth, confronts her father, and decides to leave," that's probably three scenes, not one. Split it now while it's cheap. The goal isn't to turn your outline into a more detailed outline. It's to remove the ambiguity that causes you to freeze when you sit down to write. If you know the POV, the change, and the setting, you have enough to start drafting. ### Step 2: Set up your workspace for drafting, not outlining This is where most writing software fails plotters. Your outlining tool and your drafting tool are usually two different apps. You planned in Plottr or a spreadsheet or Scrivener's corkboard, and now you're supposed to draft in a blank Word document--with your outline open in another window, or printed out on your desk, or (let's be honest) forgotten in a folder somewhere. Whatever tool you use, the key principle is this: **your outline should be visible while you write**. Not in another tab. Not in another app. *Right there*, next to your prose. Some writers pin their outline to a split screen. Some use Scrivener's inspector panel to hold scene notes. Some write on paper with the outline taped to the wall. Any of these can work. What doesn't work is having to context-switch between your plan and your draft, because every switch costs you momentum. If your outline lives in a tool like Plottr, consider exporting it to whatever you draft in. If you use a beat sheet, find a way to keep each scene's beats visible while you write into that scene. The fewer clicks between "what happens next" and "where I'm typing," the better. > This is exactly the problem we built [kindling](https://kindlingwriter.com/features/) to solve. Your outline structure lives in the sidebar. Each scene's beats are visible right above your prose. You write *into* the outline rather than beside it. But even if you don't use kindling, the principle is the same: close the gap between plan and page. ### Step 3: Draft one scene at a time, not one chapter at a time Chapters are a formatting decision. Scenes are a storytelling decision. When you sit down to draft, think in scenes. A scene is a unit of action that takes place in a continuous stretch of time and space (or close to it). It has a beginning, a shift, and an end. It's usually between 1,000 and 3,000 words. And critically, it maps directly to what's in your outline. When you draft scene by scene, you get several advantages: - **Each session has a clear finish line.** "Draft the diner scene" is achievable in a single sitting. "Write chapter 7" might not be. - **Your outline stays useful.** If your outline is organized by scene (and it probably should be), each drafting session starts by reading the scene's outline notes. You always know what you're writing next. - **You can write out of order.** Some scenes are harder than others. If you're dreading the funeral scene, skip it and write the argument scene that comes after. You already know what happens--the outline tells you. Writing out of order is one of the great privileges of being a plotter, but it only works if your outline is reliable and accessible. #### How to start a scene when you're stuck Even with an outline in front of you, the first sentence of a scene can be paralyzing. Here are a few reliable ways to break through: - **Start with a sensory detail.** What does the character see, hear, or feel? Drop the reader into the physical world first. Orientation before information. - **Start with action, not thought.** "She pushed through the door" is almost always a better opening than "She thought about what she was going to say." Get the body moving and the thoughts will follow. - **Start with dialogue.** If the scene is built around a conversation, you can always open mid-exchange and fill in the scene-setting later. First drafts are for momentum, not polish. - **Write a throwaway paragraph.** Give yourself permission to write a terrible opening that you'll cut later. Many published novels lost their first paragraph in revision. Yours can too. ### Step 4: Use your beats as stepping stones If your outline includes beats--the smaller story movements within a scene--use them as stepping stones through the draft. Don't try to hold the whole scene in your head. Just write to the next beat. For example, if your scene outline says: 1. Elena arrives at her father's house, notices the overgrown garden 2. She finds him in the study, surrounded by paperwork 3. She asks about the inheritance; he deflects 4. She presses harder; he reveals the debt 5. She leaves without saying goodbye Then your drafting process is: write beat 1. Then write beat 2. Then beat 3. You don't need to see the whole scene as a single creative act. You just need to write the next small thing. This is where beat-level outlining pays for itself. Each beat is a concrete, manageable writing task. The scene is just the sum of its beats. And when you finish the last beat, the scene is done. Some writers find it helpful to write each beat and then leave a blank line or a comment before starting the next one. This makes it easy to see where you are in the scene's structure and to come back to a specific beat during revision. ### Step 5: Give yourself permission to be bad This is the hardest step for plotters. You've spent weeks crafting a tight, elegant outline. The structure is clean. The character arcs are satisfying. Every scene earns its place. And now you have to write prose that is inevitably messier, clunkier, and less refined than the outline that inspired it. This is normal. In fact, it's necessary. A first draft is not a finished manuscript. It's not even a rough manuscript. It's a **translation**--a messy, imperfect attempt to move your story from the language of outlines (structure, logic, sequence) into the language of fiction (voice, rhythm, emotion). The translation will lose things. It will also find things you never planned: a character voice that surprises you, a metaphor that lands perfectly, a scene that works better than you expected. The plotters who finish their drafts are the ones who accept this trade-off. The outline was the easy part. The draft is where you discover whether the story actually works as prose--and the only way to find out is to write it badly first. Some practical rules for first-draft discipline: - **Don't revise while you draft.** If you notice a problem in a previous scene, leave a note and keep moving forward. Fixing yesterday's prose at the expense of today's word count is how plotters end up with a perfect first three chapters and nothing else. - **Don't delete whole paragraphs.** If something isn't working, strikethrough it or highlight it and move on. You may want it back later. - **Set a word count target, not a time target.** "500 words" is more concrete than "one hour of writing." You can't argue with a word count. - **Track your progress visually.** Whether it's a spreadsheet, a progress bar, or just crossing scenes off your outline, seeing your draft grow is motivating in a way that staring at page counts isn't. ### Step 6: Handle the scenes you're dreading Every novel has scenes that the writer avoids. The big emotional confrontation. The intricate action sequence. The quiet scene that has to do a lot of thematic heavy lifting with very little plot. Plotters often know *exactly* which scenes these are, because they spent the most time outlining them. The outline for a dreaded scene tends to be either extremely detailed (because you kept adding notes to delay actually writing it) or suspiciously vague (because you couldn't figure out how to make it work at the outline level either). A few strategies for hard scenes: - **Write a "zero draft" of the scene.** Before you try to write it properly, write a version that's purely functional. No style, no voice, just the events. "She walked in. She saw the letter. She read it. She cried." You can always layer in craft later, but getting the skeleton on the page makes the scene feel less impossible. - **Skip it and come back.** If the scene is genuinely blocking you, write the next one instead. You already know what happens after this scene because your outline tells you. Writing out of order is not failure. It's strategy. - **Write the dialogue first.** For conversation-heavy scenes, draft just the dialogue--no tags, no action, no description. Get the words right, then build the scene around them. - **Lower the stakes temporarily.** Tell yourself this version doesn't count. You're writing a placeholder. A note to your future self. This removes performance pressure and, paradoxically, often produces better prose than "trying hard." ### Step 7: Know when your outline needs to change Here is the truth that plotting purists don't always want to hear: **your outline will change during the draft**. Not because you planned badly, but because drafting reveals things that outlining can't. You might discover that a character's voice pulls them in a different direction than planned. A scene you thought was essential might feel redundant once you've written the three scenes before it. A subplot might need more room than you allocated. These are not failures of outlining. They're features of the drafting process. The key is to **update your outline when you deviate from it**. This is where many plotters go wrong. They make a change in the draft but leave the outline unchanged, and suddenly they have two conflicting versions of the story. The outline becomes unreliable, and they lose the one advantage that plotters have: knowing what comes next. When you change something in the draft, take 60 seconds to update the outline. Change the scene summary. Move a beat. Add a note. Keep the outline and the draft in sync, and the outline will keep serving you all the way to "The End." ### Step 8: Revise structurally first, then line-edit Once the first draft is finished--congratulations, by the way, this is a genuine achievement that most aspiring novelists never reach--the revision process begins. And for plotters, revision has a natural structure. **First pass: structural revision.** Read the draft against your outline. Did you hit every beat? Are the arcs intact? Did any scenes drift from their purpose? This is where your outline becomes a revision checklist. Mark scenes that need expansion, scenes that need cutting, and scenes where the emotional weight doesn't match the structural importance. **Second pass: scene-level revision.** Go scene by scene and check the basics. Does each scene have a clear POV? Does something change? Is the pacing right? Are the transitions smooth? This is where you fix the "translation errors" from the first draft. **Third pass: line editing.** Now, and only now, worry about sentence-level craft. Prose rhythm, word choice, dialogue polish, metaphor consistency. This is the stage where most writers want to start, but starting here before the structure is solid means you'll end up beautifully polishing scenes that later get cut entirely. ### Putting it all together The full process, from finished outline to finished first draft, looks like this: 1. **Audit** your outline for gaps: POV, change, setting, scene scope. 2. **Set up** your workspace so your outline is visible while you draft. 3. **Draft scene by scene**, not chapter by chapter. 4. **Use beats as stepping stones** to write through each scene incrementally. 5. **Accept the mess** and keep moving forward. 6. **Handle hard scenes** with zero drafts, dialogue-first passes, or strategic skipping. 7. **Update your outline** whenever the draft diverges from the plan. 8. **Revise in layers**: structure first, scenes second, prose third. None of these steps require a specific tool. You can do this with Scrivener, with Word and a printed outline, with index cards and a legal pad. The method works because it respects both sides of the plotter's brain: the one that plans and the one that writes. That said, if you want a tool that was specifically designed for this workflow--one that keeps your beats visible while you draft, lets you write into your outline structure, and keeps your plan and your prose in sync--that's exactly [what kindling was built to do](https://kindlingwriter.com/compare/). ## Best Scrivener Alternatives for Plotters and Outliners (2026) URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/best-scrivener-alternatives-for-plotters/ Published: 2026-02-27 (updated 2026-09-12) Scrivener is a remarkable piece of software. Its Binder, corkboard, and compilation engine have made it the default choice for serious novelists for over a decade. But Scrivener was designed as a general-purpose writing environment, and for writers who plot extensively before drafting, it has a specific weakness: **when you open a new scene, you get a blank page**. If you've spent weeks building a detailed outline--scene beats, character arcs, subplot threads--and then have to draft from a blank screen while flipping back to your notes, you know the friction. The outline that was supposed to help you write becomes a separate thing you have to manage. This list focuses on tools that serve plotters particularly well. Some complement Scrivener, others replace it entirely, and all of them approach the outlining-to-drafting problem from a different angle. ### What Plotters Need From Writing Software Before diving into specific tools, it helps to name what outline-first writers actually need: - **Outline visibility while drafting.** Your scene beats, character notes, and story structure should be accessible without switching windows or apps. - **Flexible structure.** Stories change. Scenes get cut, chapters merge, subplots move. Restructuring shouldn't mean hours of copy-pasting. - **Import and export.** Most plotters already have an outline somewhere--in Plottr, a spreadsheet, or a Scrivener project. Starting from scratch is a dealbreaker. - **Local files you own.** A novel takes months or years. You need confidence your tool and your files will still be there at the end. With that in mind, here are the best alternatives. ### kindling Free -- Open source -- macOS, Windows, Linux Full disclosure: we built kindling, so take this with the appropriate grain of salt. But we built it specifically because the tool we wanted didn't exist. kindling is designed around one idea: **your outline and your prose should live in the same space**. When you write a scene, your beat notes are visible right there in the drafting view--expandable prompts that guide your writing without interrupting it. Character and location details surface automatically based on what's in the scene. The key differentiator for plotters is import support. kindling reads Plottr files, yWriter projects, and Obsidian Longform vaults directly. You don't have to recreate your outline--you bring it in and start drafting against it immediately. **Best for:** Writers who already have a detailed outline and want to draft with that structure visible. Writers who want a free tool that saves files locally in open formats. **Honest limitations:** kindling doesn't do manuscript management or compilation the way Scrivener does. It doesn't have a visual timeline view. It's a focused tool for the outline-to-draft phase, not a full lifecycle writing environment. If you are specifically considering kindling, the [free Scrivener alternative guide](https://kindlingwriter.com/free-scrivener-alternative/) explains its focused workflow and trade-offs. Plottr, Dabble, and Scrivener prices below were checked 12 September 2026 in USD before tax. ### Plottr [From $60/year or $150 lifetime](https://plottr.com/pricing/) for the desktop plan -- macOS, Windows If your main frustration with Scrivener is outlining rather than drafting, Plottr is the most popular alternative. Its visual timeline is genuinely excellent--you can see your entire story structure at a glance, color-coded by subplot, with character arcs threaded across scenes. Plottr also includes robust character and worldbuilding templates, which make it a strong choice for fantasy and sci-fi writers managing complex story worlds. **Best for:** Visual thinkers who plan stories spatially. Writers who want dedicated character and worldbuilding databases. **Honest limitations:** Plottr is a planning tool, not a writing tool. There's no prose editor. When it's time to draft, you're opening a separate application. For many plotters, this is exactly the gap that creates friction. ### Manuskript Free -- Open source -- macOS, Windows, Linux Manuskript is the closest thing to a free Scrivener on the market. It has an outliner, a character database, a world-building section, and a distraction-free writing editor. For plotters on a budget, it covers a lot of ground in a single application. It also includes plot-structure templates (three-act, snowflake method, and more) that can help you build an outline from scratch if you're starting a new project. **Best for:** Writers who want Scrivener-style organization without the price tag. Plotters who are starting a new project and want built-in structure templates. **Honest limitations:** The interface feels dated compared to newer tools. Development has slowed significantly--updates are infrequent. Import and export options are limited. ### yWriter Free -- Windows (with unofficial Linux/Mac ports) yWriter has been around since 2005, written by novelist Simon Haynes. It organizes your novel by scenes within chapters, with dedicated fields for scene descriptions, goals, conflict, and outcome--a structure that maps naturally to how plotters think about story. The scene-level metadata (viewpoint character, location, scene type) is more detailed than what Scrivener offers out of the box. For plotters who think in scene beats, this granularity is genuinely useful. **Best for:** Windows users who want a free, battle-tested scene manager. Writers who think about stories in terms of scene goals and conflict. **Honest limitations:** The interface looks like it was built in 2005, because it was. Mac and Linux support is unofficial. No visual timeline or modern drag-and-drop interactions. ### Dabble Writer [From $19/month or $699 lifetime Author access](https://www.dabblewriter.com/pricing/) -- Cloud-based Dabble is a modern, cloud-based writing tool with a clean interface and strong organizational features. Its Plot Grid lets you track story threads across scenes, which is useful for plotters managing multiple subplots or point-of-view characters. The writing experience is polished, with word count goals and focus mode. And because it's cloud-based, you can write from any device with a browser. **Best for:** Writers who want a modern interface and cross-device access. Plotters who track multiple story threads and want a visual grid for managing them. **Honest limitations:** Dabble combines offline work with cloud sync, so its storage model differs from a local-only desktop app. Monthly plans range from $19 to $49. Compare the recurring cost with [Scrivener's $59.99 desktop licence](https://www.literatureandlatte.com/crossgrading/) and the lifetime Author option before choosing. ### Novelcrafter From $4/month -- Cloud-based Novelcrafter is the AI-forward option on this list. It integrates with language models (via your own API key) for brainstorming, character development, and prose feedback. If you're curious about using AI as a creative collaborator while maintaining full control of your writing, Novelcrafter is worth investigating. Beyond the AI features, Novelcrafter has a solid organizational structure with codex entries for characters, locations, and lore that you can reference while drafting. **Best for:** Writers who want AI-assisted brainstorming and feedback alongside traditional writing tools. Plotters who want a codex system for worldbuilding. **Honest limitations:** AI costs are separate from the subscription--you pay for API tokens on top of the monthly fee. If you're not interested in AI, you're paying for a platform built around a feature you won't use. Cloud-only, like Dabble. ### The Novel Factory From $7.50/month or $198 lifetime -- Cloud + Desktop The Novel Factory leans hard into structured plotting. It includes step-by-step roadmaps based on popular story structures (Hero's Journey, Save the Cat, romance beats) and guides you through building character profiles, outlines, and synopses before you ever start drafting. If you're the kind of plotter who likes frameworks and templates, The Novel Factory provides more guidance than any other tool on this list. **Best for:** Writers who want structured guidance through the plotting process. Newer writers who want to learn story structure while planning their novel. **Honest limitations:** The framework-driven approach can feel rigid if you have your own outlining process. The interface is functional but not particularly elegant. ### How to Choose The right tool depends on where you feel the most friction in your current workflow: - **If your outline exists but doesn't connect to your drafting:** [kindling](https://kindlingwriter.com/) bridges that specific gap. Import your Plottr or yWriter outline and draft with your structure visible. - **If you need a better outlining tool:** [Plottr](https://plottr.com) is the best visual story planner available. Pair it with a drafting tool (Scrivener, kindling, or even Google Docs) for a complete workflow. - **If you want one tool that does everything for free:** [Manuskript](https://www.theologeek.ch/manuskript/) covers the most ground at zero cost, despite its rough edges. - **If you want a modern cloud experience:** [Dabble](https://www.dabblewriter.com) has the most polished interface for cross-device writing. - **If you want AI assistance:** [Novelcrafter](https://www.novelcrafter.com) integrates AI more thoughtfully than any other writing tool. - **If you want structured guidance:** [The Novel Factory](https://www.novel-software.com) will walk you through the entire plotting process step by step. ### A Note on Scrivener Itself We should say it plainly: Scrivener is still excellent software. If your main workflow is writing long manuscripts and you need powerful compilation and export, nothing on this list fully replaces it. The Binder, the inspector, the snapshot system--these are features built over 15+ years of listening to working novelists. Most of these tools, including kindling, work best *alongside* Scrivener rather than instead of it. Write your scenes in a tool that keeps your outline visible, then export back to Scrivener for revision and compilation. The goal isn't to abandon what works--it's to fill the gaps. ## Introducing kindling: Free Open-Source Writing App for Plotters URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/introducing-kindling-open-beta/ Published: 2026-01-29 (updated 2026-03-11) If you're a plotter--someone who outlines, structures, and plans before writing--you've probably felt the frustration of switching between tools. Your outline lives in one app, your character notes in another, and when it's finally time to write? You're copying and pasting, losing context, and fighting your software instead of focusing on your story. Today, we're launching the open beta of **kindling**, a free and open-source writing application built specifically for plotters and outliners. ### What Makes kindling Different kindling isn't trying to be another general-purpose writing app. Instead, it's designed around one core idea: **your outline and your prose should live together**, informing each other as you write. With kindling, you can: - **Import your existing outlines** from tools like Plottr, yWriter, and Obsidian Longform--no need to start from scratch - **Write with your structure visible**, so you always know where you are in your story - **Track scenes, chapters, and plot threads** in a unified interface - **Export to DOCX or Markdown** when you're ready to share or edit elsewhere ### Free and Open Source Forever We believe writing tools should be accessible to everyone. kindling is completely free, with no premium tiers, no subscriptions, and no feature gates. The source code is available on GitHub, and we welcome contributions from the community. This also means your work is truly yours. kindling saves files locally--no cloud lock-in, no account required, no risk of a company shutting down and taking your manuscript with it. ### What's in the Beta The v1.0.0-beta release includes: - Full import support for Plottr, yWriter, and Obsidian Longform projects - A distraction-free writing editor with your outline always accessible - Scene and chapter management with drag-and-drop reordering - Word count tracking and session goals - Export to DOCX and Markdown formats - Native apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux ### What's Next This is just the beginning. Based on community feedback, we're planning to add character and location databases, timeline visualization, revision tracking, and more. We're building kindling in the open, and your input will directly shape the roadmap. Join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/g7bkj4kY8w) to share feedback, report bugs, and connect with other writers. Or dive into the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/smith-and-web/kindling) if you'd like to contribute. We can't wait to see what you create. ## Why Plotters Need Better Writing Software (And What We Built) URL: https://kindlingwriter.com/blog/why-plotters-need-better-writing-software/ Published: 2026-01-29 (updated 2026-03-11) In the writing world, there's a spectrum between "plotters" and "pantsers." Pantsers--those who write by the seat of their pants--discover their story as they go. Plotters, on the other hand, build detailed outlines, structure their narratives in advance, and know where they're headed before typing "Chapter One." Neither approach is better. They're simply different cognitive styles. But here's the problem: **most writing software is built for pantsers**. ### The Plotter's Workflow Problem If you're a plotter, your workflow probably looks something like this: 1. Brainstorm and develop your story concept 2. Create character profiles and worldbuilding notes 3. Build a detailed outline--scene by scene, beat by beat 4. Start drafting, referring constantly to your outline 5. Revise, updating both prose and structure as needed The challenge? Steps 1-3 and step 4 usually happen in completely different applications. Your outline might live in Plottr, yWriter, a Notion database, or a sprawling collection of index cards. But when it's time to actually write? You're opening a separate app--Word, Google Docs, Scrivener--and constantly switching windows to reference your plan. > Every time you switch contexts, you lose momentum. Every time you hunt for that scene note, you break flow. The tool that helped you plan becomes an obstacle when you write. ### What Plotters Actually Need After talking to dozens of outline-first writers, we identified the core frustrations: **Fragmented information.** Character notes in one place, plot outline in another, prose in a third. Keeping everything synced is a job in itself. **Lost context.** When you're deep in Chapter 12, you shouldn't have to dig through a separate app to remember what was supposed to happen in that scene. Your outline should be right there, guiding you. **Rigid structures.** Stories evolve. A tool that locks you into a structure at the start--or makes restructuring painful--fights against the organic way stories develop, even for the most dedicated plotter. **Export friction.** At some point, you need to share your work. If getting a clean manuscript out of your writing software requires an hour of reformatting, something is wrong. ### A Different Approach We built [kindling](https://kindlingwriter.com/) around a simple premise: **your outline and your prose should live together**. When you write in kindling, your scene outline is always visible. Not in a separate window--right there in your writing environment. You can expand a scene's notes to see exactly what you planned, then collapse them and keep drafting. Your plan informs your prose without interrupting it. And because we know plotters often start with existing tools, kindling imports from Plottr, yWriter, and Obsidian Longform. You don't have to abandon your outlining workflow to get a better drafting experience. ### Structure That Flexes Even the most meticulous outline changes. A subplot gets cut. Two characters merge. A flashback sequence moves from Act Two to the opening. In kindling, restructuring is as simple as dragging scenes and chapters. Your prose moves with your structure. No copy-pasting, no hunting for orphaned text, no version control nightmares. ### Built for the Long Haul Writing a novel is a commitment. The last thing you need is uncertainty about whether your tools will be around--or affordable--when you're on revision five. kindling is open source and free. Your files are saved locally in open formats. If we disappeared tomorrow, your work would be completely intact and accessible. That's a promise most writing software can't make. ### Try It Yourself If you've ever wished your outline could sit beside your prose--guiding you without getting in the way--give kindling a try. It's free, it runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux, and it might just be the plotter-friendly writing app you've been waiting for.