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Ready to write your first screenplay in Inkwell? This guide walks you through creating a new script, understanding auto-formatting, and getting comfortable with the writing workflow.

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Create a new script

1

Open the New Script dialog

  • Click File → New Script or press Cmd/Ctrl+N
2

Choose save location

  • Local: Scripts save to a folder on your computer as .ink files
You can change this later in settings.
3

Click Create

Your new script appears in the editor, ready for you to start writing.

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Write your first scene

Inkwell uses Fountain syntax, a plain-text screenplay format. The editor automatically converts your typing into properly formatted screenplay elements.

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Scene heading

Start by typing a scene heading (also called a slug line): 
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
What happens: Inkwell recognizes this as a scene heading because it starts with INT., EXT., or INT./EXT. The text appears in ALL CAPS and properly spaced.
Shortcuts for scene headings:
  • INT. = Interior scene
  • EXT. = Exterior scene
  • INT./EXT. = Mixed interior/exterior

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Action lines

Press Enter twice after your scene heading and start typing action: 
ALICE enters, scanning the crowded room. She spots BOB at a corner table and hesitates.
What happens: Any regular paragraph becomes action (also called description). Action lines use standard sentence case and describe what we see on screen.

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Character names

To write dialogue, type a character name in ALL CAPS on its own line: 
ALICE
What happens: Inkwell centers the character name and prepares for dialogue below it.
Character names must be in ALL CAPS to be recognized. Once you’ve used a name, Inkwell will auto-complete it when you start typing.

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Dialogue

Press Enter after the character name and type their dialogue: 
ALICE
I wasn't sure you'd come.
What happens: Dialogue appears indented below the character name. Keep typing—Inkwell handles the formatting.

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Parentheticals

To add actor direction, wrap it in parentheses on its own line: 
ALICE
(nervous)
I wasn't sure you'd come.
What happens: Parentheticals appear between the character name and dialogue, slightly indented.

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Complete example

Here’s a complete scene showing all elements together: 
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

ALICE enters, scanning the crowded room. She spots BOB at a corner table and hesitates.

ALICE
(nervous)
I wasn't sure you'd come.

BOB
(not looking up)
I almost didn't.

Alice crosses to the table and sits. An awkward silence.

ALICE
We need to talk about—

BOB
Don't.
Congratulations! You’ve written your first properly formatted scene.

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Understand auto-save

Inkwell automatically saves your work as you write. You don’t need to manually save (though you can press Cmd/Ctrl+S if you prefer).

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How auto-save works

  • Saves every 3 seconds after you stop typing
  • Creates restore points every 5 minutes (for version history)
  • Stores locally as an .ink file in your chosen save location

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Status bar indicators

Look at the bottom-right of the window to see save status:
  • Saved: All changes are saved to your local file
  • Saving…: Currently writing to disk
  • Not saved: Changes pending (should save within 3 seconds)
If you see “Not saved” for more than a few seconds, check your disk space or file permissions. Your work may not be saving.
As your script grows, use these tools to stay oriented:

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Scene navigation

  • Project Panel (left sidebar): Shows a list of all scenes, sections, and notes
  • Click any scene to jump directly to it
  • Use Cmd/Ctrl+G to open “Go to Scene” dialog
  • Press Cmd/Ctrl+F to search for text
  • Find character names, dialogue, or action descriptions
  • Use Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+F to find and replace

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Minimap

The minimap on the right edge shows:
  • Your current position in the script (green highlight)
  • The size of the current scene
  • Locations of the selected character’s dialogue (if a character is selected)
Click anywhere on the minimap to jump to that part of your script instantly.

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Preview your script

Want to see how your script looks as a formatted PDF?
1

Open Print Preview

  • Go to File → Print Preview or press Cmd/Ctrl+P
  • A formatted preview appears showing standard screenplay layout
2

Review formatting

Verify that:
  • Scene headings are bold and properly spaced
  • Character names are centered
  • Dialogue is indented correctly
  • Page breaks follow industry standards (no orphaned dialogue)
3

Export or print

  • Click Export PDF to save a shareable copy
  • Click Print to send to a printer
  • Or close the preview to keep writing

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Common first-script questions

Title pages are stored in Script Info (Project Panel → Script Info tab). Fill in:
  • Title: Your screenplay’s name
  • Written by: Your name
  • Contact: Your email or agent info
When you export to PDF, Inkwell automatically generates a properly formatted title page.
Yes! Click anywhere in the scene heading and edit it like normal text. Inkwell updates the formatting automatically.
Inkwell won’t recognize it as a character. Character names must be in ALL CAPS. However, once you’ve used a character, you can type just a few letters and press Tab to auto-complete.
Select all the text in the scene (from scene heading to the line before the next scene) and press Delete or Backspace. You can also use Cmd/Ctrl+A to select all, then delete.
Yes! Press Cmd/Ctrl+Z to undo and Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+Z to redo. Inkwell keeps a full history of your edits during the current session.

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Try it yourself

Practice exercise: Write a simple scene with these elements:
  1. A scene heading (INT. or EXT.)
  2. Two lines of action
  3. Two characters having a brief exchange (3–4 lines of dialogue total)
  4. One parenthetical
When you’re done, preview it with Cmd/Ctrl+P to see the formatted result.
You now understand the basic Inkwell workflow! Keep writing and explore more features as you go.

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Next steps

Learn Fountain syntax

Master all screenplay elements and advanced formatting

Explore the UI

Understand panels, menus, and customization options

Use Quill AI

Collaborate with AI to brainstorm and refine scenes

Project Panel

Organize scenes, characters, and metadata