# Typewriter help How to use the desk. Job pages, not a wiki of every button. Last updated: 2026-08-30 HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help Machine: https://typewriter.digital/help.md Visuals on the HTML pages are live product shots of the desk (binder · page · CoAuthor), not screenshots that rot. ## Pages - [Where everything lives](https://typewriter.digital/help/the-desk) - [Start a book](https://typewriter.digital/help/start) - [Import a draft](https://typewriter.digital/help/import) - [The binder is the book](https://typewriter.digital/help/binder) - [The page](https://typewriter.digital/help/paper) - [Write in your language](https://typewriter.digital/help/language) - [Story bible](https://typewriter.digital/help/bible) - [Map the cast](https://typewriter.digital/help/map) - [Research beside the page](https://typewriter.digital/help/research) - [CoAuthor](https://typewriter.digital/help/coauthor) - [You keep the pen](https://typewriter.digital/help/accept) - [Credits, not turns](https://typewriter.digital/help/credits) - [Leave with your files](https://typewriter.digital/help/export) - [Press](https://typewriter.digital/help/press) - [Snapshots](https://typewriter.digital/help/snapshots) - [Mac](https://typewriter.digital/help/mac) - [Autosave](https://typewriter.digital/help/autosave) - [Trash and restore](https://typewriter.digital/help/trash) - [Your book is yours](https://typewriter.digital/help/privacy) - [Phone](https://typewriter.digital/help/phone) - [What’s new](https://typewriter.digital/help/whats-new) ## Where everything lives The Typewriter desk is three columns: left is your book (binder of chapters and scenes), center is the page you write on, right is CoAuthor when the dock is open. The header is Tool only (Write, Press, Cover, Audio). Book, chapter, and scene lists stay in the left rail — never in the header. Phone uses the same jobs as sheets, not a squashed desktop. 1. **Open a book.** Library is your shelf. Tap a manuscript to land on the last chapter you were in. 2. **Left = the book.** Binder lists chapters and scenes. Rename, reorder, nest. Word counts live here. 3. **Center = the page.** Type on paper. Autosave is on. Focus hides chrome when you want a blank page. 4. **Right = CoAuthor.** Open the dock to ask. Proposals land on the page. You Accept or Reject. Nothing silent. **Where did Bible / Map / Cards go?** They are modes of the same desk, not extra header apps. Switch from the left rail or the body view — Write, Cards, Outline, Bible, Map. Press, Cover, and Audio are Tools in the header. **Why isn’t my book name in the top bar?** On purpose. The header is Tool only so every room feels like one desk. The manuscript lives in the left rail. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/the-desk --- ## Start a book Sign in, create a manuscript or import DOCX, PDF, EPUB, or TXT. Write in the binder for free. Open CoAuthor when you want a partner — it proposes, you Accept. New accounts get $5 of CoAuthor credits. Pricing and plans: typewriter.digital/pricing. 1. **Create or import.** New manuscript from the library, or Import for an existing draft. 2. **Write in the binder.** Add a chapter, type. Autosave is on. You can export without ever opening CoAuthor. 3. **Ask when stuck.** Open CoAuthor, talk in plain language. Accept what you like. **Do I need AI to write?** No. Manuscript, binder, paper, and simple export are free without a card. CoAuthor is optional. **Can I keep Scrivener too?** Yes. Dual-wield is fine. Import when you want the cloud desk; keep Compile offline if that’s home. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/start --- ## Import a draft From the library or an open book, run Import and upload DOCX, PDF, EPUB, or TXT. Typewriter splits chapters into the binder. Fix splits, then keep writing. Free desk covers import. Your prose stays yours. 1. **Open Import.** Library → Import, or Import on an open book. 2. **Upload the file.** DOCX, PDF, EPUB, or TXT. Wait for chapters to appear in the binder. 3. **Fix splits.** Rename, merge, or nest scenes. Then write as usual. **Will import overwrite my current book?** Import into a new manuscript unless you choose an existing book. Check the binder after — splits are easy to fix. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/import --- ## The binder is the book The left rail is the binder: chapters, optional scenes under chapters, status, synopsis, and word counts. Reorder by dragging. Nest scenes with a parent chapter. Cards and Outline are other views of the same tree — they don’t duplicate the book. 1. **Add a chapter.** New chapter from the binder. Optional synopsis and status (draft, done…). 2. **Nest a scene.** Scenes live under a chapter. Use them for beats you want to move without splitting files. 3. **Cards or Outline.** Cards = corkboard of synopses. Outline = table of status and words. Same binder. **What’s the difference between a chapter and a scene?** A chapter is a top-level part of the book. A scene is a child under a chapter — useful for beats you reshuffle. Export still compiles in binder order. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/binder --- ## The page The center stage is the chapter you are in. Type normally. Autosave writes to the cloud as you go and flushes on tab close. Focus (Esc or the focus control) hides chrome. Find and format live on the page. CoAuthor proposals appear as cards you Accept or Reject — they never silent-overwrite. 1. **Type.** The page is the source of truth. Binder word counts update from what’s here. 2. **Focus.** Hide rails when you want only the page. Esc brings chrome back. 3. **Accept drafts.** If CoAuthor drafted, Accept puts it on the page. Reject throws it out. **Is there a save button?** No. Autosave is on. You can still freeze a Snapshot when you want a named restore point. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/paper --- ## Write in your language Set manuscript language from the Book control, Settings → Writing, or ask CoAuthor (“write this book in Hindi”). CoAuthor drafts natural idiom, not stiff machine translation. Pro desk IME: Roman → native (Indic, Arabic, Persian, Russian, Chinese pinyin, Japanese, Korean, and more) via Lang or Settings → Writing. IME is for typing; book language is what CoAuthor writes. You Accept every draft. 1. **Set book language.** Book control or Settings → Writing. CoAuthor will draft in that language. 2. **Type with IME (Pro).** Lang control: Roman keys → native script while you write. **Is IME the same as CoAuthor language?** No. IME is how you type. Book language is what CoAuthor writes. You can type in Roman and still ask CoAuthor for Hindi prose. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/language --- ## Story bible Story bible holds characters, places, items, and notes for this manuscript (and series). Open Bible from the desk body view. CoAuthor reads matching entries when you write and can update them when you ask. Continuity pass finds rough issues you can fix or dismiss. 1. **Open Bible.** Switch the stage to Bible. Add a person, place, or note. 2. **Ask CoAuthor.** “Add Maya to the bible” or “what color are her eyes?” — it uses and can update cards. **Does CoAuthor invent bible facts?** It should use what’s on the cards. If a card is missing, ask it to add one — then check Accept. Don’t let a chat become a second canon. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/bible --- ## Map the cast The relationship map links people in the bible. Open Map from the desk. CoAuthor can add or update links when you ask. Use it for series debt: who’s estranged, what the next book still owes. 1. **Open Map.** Same book, graph view. Nodes are bible people. 2. **Link two people.** Add a relationship (allies, rivals, family…). CoAuthor can do this if you ask. **Is Map a second product?** No. It’s a view of the same manuscript. Bible cards and map links stay in one book. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/map --- ## Research beside the page On seats with research, CoAuthor can search the live web and open pages, then cite sources. It can offer to weave facts into prose or park notes in the bible. Fiction worldbuilding stays invented unless you ask for real grounding. Clips live on the research shelf for the book. 1. **Ask a fact.** “When was the Brooklyn Bridge finished?” CoAuthor should search and cite. 2. **Pin a clip.** Keep sources on the research shelf. Weave into prose only when you want it on the page. **Will research overwrite my chapter?** No. Facts come back as sources and optional weaves. Prose still goes through Accept. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/research --- ## CoAuthor CoAuthor is Typewriter’s writing partner in the dock. It already sees your open chapter, any selection, bible, and outline. Ask in plain language. Every prose change is a proposal you Accept or Reject. It never silently overwrites. No model pickers in the dock — just talk. Credits are a dollar wallet (signup includes $5). Writing stays free when credits run out. 1. **Open the dock.** CoAuthor on the right (⌘J). Empty chat has starter chips. 2. **Ask in English.** Keep writing, next beat, what’s weak, research this, continuity pass, add to bible. 3. **Accept or Reject.** Drafts land as proposal cards on the page. Nothing is in the manuscript until you Accept. **Which model is CoAuthor?** You don’t pick one. The desk routes the job. We don’t discuss providers or model names in chat. **Can I @ people and chapters?** Yes. Type a name, or @ cast, places, and chapters when you want to be precise. Selection is already in context. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/coauthor --- ## You keep the pen No. CoAuthor never silently overwrites your manuscript. Every prose change is a proposal. You Accept or Reject. Optional auto-accept only applies to low-risk tightens/continues on seats that enable it — never forced silent full rewrites. After Reject, revise chips (shorter, more atmosphere…) teach the next pass. 1. **Read the card.** The proposal sits on the page as a draft, not a quiet replace. 2. **Accept or Reject.** Accept writes it in. Reject discards it. Your previous words stay. 3. **Revise after Reject.** Chips like shorter or more atmosphere run the next pass from what you refused. **What is auto-accept?** An optional preference for small tightens/continues. It is never a silent full rewrite. You can leave it off. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/accept --- ## Credits, not turns Desk is separate from AI. Free forever for manuscripts, binder, paper, autosave, simple export. Paid Typewriter unlocks full craft (bible, map, series, export, collab). CoAuthor is a dollar wallet — signup includes $5. Each send burns cents based on real cost. At $0, AI pauses until you recharge from $5; writing and export stay free. Never turns or day caps. Live prices: typewriter.digital/pricing. 1. **Write free.** No card for the manuscript desk. Export still works. 2. **Watch the credits chip.** It shows dollars left, not turns. Recharge under Plans or the chip. **What does Typewriter cost?** Free desk $0. Paid Typewriter from $2.99/mo (or yearly / lifetime). Typewriter + CoAuthor adds plan credits. Top up $5–$200. See /pricing for live offers — don’t invent a price. **How do free CoAuthor credits work?** Signup includes $5. Usage burns the wallet. At $0, CoAuthor pauses. Manuscript is never held hostage. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/credits --- ## Leave with your files Export supports common book formats (DOCX, EPUB, PDF) with front matter options. Simple export is on free desk; advanced export is on full craft seats. Your manuscript is never hostage — you can leave with files even if CoAuthor is off. Press is the finish room for print-ready interiors. 1. **Open Export or Press.** From the book, generate files. Pick format and front matter. 2. **Download.** Keep a copy. Typewriter is the desk — the files are yours. **Is Press the same as Export?** Export is files. Press is the format room (style, preview, print interior). Use Press when you’re finishing a book, not just handing a DOCX to a friend. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/export --- ## Press Press is the format room on the same desk (Tool → Press, or /books/…/press). Style the interior, preview devices, generate files. It is not a store — BookStand is shop later. Simple export still exists for a quick DOCX. 1. **Open Press.** Header Tool → Press, or the book’s Press path. Same shell, finish stage. 2. **Style then generate.** Pick a look, preview, then generate files. Master cover can flow in from Cover. **Do I need Press to write?** No. Write first. Open Press when the book is ready to look like a book. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/press --- ## Snapshots Snapshots are named chapter restore points you create from the desk. They are the recovery path if you want a known-good version of a chapter. They are not automatic full-book time travel. If a chapter shows 0 words and no snapshots exist, there may be nothing to restore from history — keep writing and take a Snapshot after important sessions. 1. **Freeze.** Snapshot control on the desk. Name it (Before rewrite). 2. **Restore.** Open Snapshots for that chapter and restore a point. Word counts should be > 0 on useful snaps. **Are snapshots automatic?** No. You create them. Autosave keeps the live chapter; snapshots are named freeze-frames. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/snapshots --- ## Mac Typewriter on Mac is local-first: books live on your machine without an account for core writing. Cloud and CoAuthor are optional when you want sync or AI. Public download depends on notarization — see What’s new and /pricing. Dual-wield with the web desk is fine. 1. **Write on the machine.** When the Mac build is public, core writing does not require an account. 2. **Cloud when you want it.** Sign in for library sync and CoAuthor. Same manuscript jobs as the web desk. **Is the Mac app out?** Availability follows release readiness (notarized DMG). The web desk is live now at typewriter.digital. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/mac --- ## Autosave Typewriter autosaves chapter prose to the cloud as you type, and flushes on tab close / laptop sleep. Leaving the site does not auto-delete drafts. One signed-in library — not a separate phone/laptop sync product. If words look missing: confirm the same account, open the book, check binder word counts, open Snapshots if any. Soft-trash is only for manuscripts you deleted (~30 days restore). Real wipes are bugs, not expected behavior. 1. **Same account.** Sign in with the same email on phone and laptop. There is one library, not two sync products. 2. **Check the binder.** Word counts on chapters. Open the chapter. Check Snapshots. 3. **Trash is separate.** Deleted manuscripts sit in trash ~30 days. Draft status is not a delete timer. **I closed my laptop and the chapter is empty.** That is not supposed to happen. Check binder counts and Snapshots. Chat from Need help? so we can see the real desk state. Do not assume a phone/laptop sync story. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/autosave --- ## Trash and restore Soft-deleted manuscripts leave the main library and can be restored from trash within about 30 days. After that they are permanently removed. Draft status on a book means work-in-progress, not scheduled deletion. If a book is still listed but chapters show 0 words, that is a content-save issue, not trash. 1. **Open trash.** Library trash. Restore if it’s there. 2. **Still listed, 0 words.** Not trash. Open Snapshots and Need help? — that’s a save issue. **Does Draft mean it will be deleted?** No. Draft means work-in-progress. Only trash (after you delete) removes a book from the shelf. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/trash --- ## Your book is yours You own your manuscript. CoAuthor uses book context to help in your workspace. We provide and improve Typewriter for authors; we do not sell your draft as a content product. Full policy: typewriter.digital/privacy. Never share passwords or secrets in chat. CoAuthor will not discuss internal systems, model stacks, or how we improve AI quality. 1. **Read the policy.** typewriter.digital/privacy — manuscript + AI in one place. **Do you train on my book?** We don’t sell your draft. Product improvement is not a content marketplace. Details live on /privacy. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/privacy --- ## Phone The phone app is the same signed-in library — not a second sync product. Library tabs and an immersive book room. Lists and sheets, not canvases. Open the same manuscript you left on the laptop. If word counts disagree, check you’re on the same account, then binder + Snapshots — don’t assume a device-sync bug. 1. **Sign in.** Same account as the desk. One library. 2. **Open the book.** Write in the book room. CoAuthor and binder are sheets. **Why doesn’t the phone look like the desktop?** On purpose. A three-column IDE doesn’t belong on a coarse pointer. Same jobs, native rooms. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/phone --- ## What’s new Public What’s new is typewriter.digital/changelog — newest first, desk and CoAuthor only. Signed-in: What’s new in the account menu, or /w/{workspace}/whats-new. Software Update in Settings is for install / relaunch. Roadmap and feature ideas are under What’s shipping. RSS: /changelog/rss.xml. Machine-readable: /changelog.md. 1. **Read the log.** Account → What’s new, or /changelog when signed out. **Where is the roadmap?** What’s shipping in the account menu — customer language, not ticket IDs. HTML: https://typewriter.digital/help/whats-new