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Welcome to Inkwell! This guide will help you install the app, create your first script, and start writing.

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Install Inkwell

1

Download the app

Download Inkwell for macOS from inkwell.app/download.
2

Launch and sign in

Open Inkwell and sign in with your email or continue with Apple or Google. The editor is free forever — write, format, import, and export as much as you like. To try Quill, the AI writing partner, start your free week of Quill Pro (one tap after signing in).
3

System requirements

  • macOS: 13.0 (Ventura) or later
  • Internet: Required for AI features (offline writing supported)
New accounts can start a free week of Quill Pro — 500 credits, no credit card, nothing to cancel — to try Quill AI right away.

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Create your first script

1

Start a new screenplay

Click New Script or press Cmd+N. You’ll see a blank editor with industry-standard screenplay formatting ready to go.
2

Write your first scene

Start typing naturally—Inkwell auto-formats as you write:
The editor recognizes scene headings, action, character names, dialogue, and parentheticals automatically based on Fountain syntax.
3

Save your work

Your script auto-saves automatically every few seconds. The status bar shows “Saved” when your work is safe. You can also manually save with Cmd+S or export via the File menu.

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Try Quill AI (optional)

Quill is your AI co-writer. Try it out:
1

Open Quill panel

Click the Quill icon in the sidebar, or press Cmd+] (or Cmd+0) to toggle the panel.
2

Ask for help

Try a prompt like:
  • “Make this dialogue more tense”
  • “Suggest three ways Alice could reveal her secret”
  • “What happens next?”
Quill responds with suggestions you can accept, reject, or refine.
3

Review suggestions

Quill never overwrites your work. You’ll see inline suggestions that you approve or reject with a single click.
The editor is free forever. Quill runs on credits — spent only when it answers, a few per answer. Try it with a free week of Quill Pro, then keep going with a $4.99 credit pack or a Pro subscription. Learn about plans →

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Explore the interface

Editor

Your main writing space with live formatting and auto-save

Project Panel

Navigate scenes, manage characters, and organize your script

Quill AI

Your AI co-writer for brainstorming and editing

Settings

Customize themes, fonts, and preferences

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Don’t miss: The ScrollMap

Look at the right edge of the editor—that’s Inkwell’s visual navigation ScrollMap. It’s a unique feature that shows:
  • Your current scene highlighted on the left
  • Character distribution when you click on a character name
  • Search results highlighted in blue
  • Unsaved changes on the right side
Try it now:
  1. Click anywhere on the ScrollMap to jump to that part of your script
  2. Click on a character name (like ALICE) in your script
  3. Watch the ScrollMap highlight everywhere that character appears
The ScrollMap gives you a “bird’s eye view” of your entire script structure. It’s especially powerful for long scripts—click to jump, drag to scroll, and see patterns at a glance.
Learn more about ScrollMap →

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Next steps

Learn Fountain basics

Master screenplay formatting with Fountain syntax

UI overview

Understand the editor, panels, and navigation

Using Quill AI

Discover how to collaborate with your AI co-writer

Import existing scripts

Bring in Fountain, Final Draft, or PDF files
You’re ready to write! Start your screenplay and explore Inkwell’s features as you go.