> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.inkwell.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Get started with Inkwell and write your first screenplay in minutes

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

## Install Inkwell

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the app">
    Download Inkwell for macOS from [inkwell.app/download](https://inkwell.app/download).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch and sign in">
    Open Inkwell and sign in with your email or continue with Apple or Google. New users start on the **Free Plan** with monthly credits to explore Quill AI.
  </Step>

  <Step title="System requirements">
    * **macOS**: 13.0 (Ventura) or later
    * **Internet**: Required for AI features (offline writing supported)
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>First-time users receive welcome credits to try Quill AI features immediately!</Tip>

## Create your first script

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write your first scene">
    Start typing naturally—Inkwell auto-formats as you write:

    ```
    INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

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

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

    BOB
    I almost didn't.
    ```

    The editor recognizes scene headings, action, character names, dialogue, and parentheticals automatically based on Fountain syntax.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Try Quill AI (optional)

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Quill panel">
    Click the **Quill** icon in the sidebar, or press `Cmd+]` (or `Cmd+0`) to toggle the panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review suggestions">
    Quill never overwrites your work. You'll see inline suggestions that you approve or reject with a single click.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Quill AI costs credits per request. Free plan users get monthly credits. [Learn about plans →](/account/plans-billing)
</Warning>

## Explore the interface

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Editor" icon="pen-to-square">
    Your main writing space with live formatting and auto-save
  </Card>

  <Card title="Project Panel" icon="sidebar">
    Navigate scenes, manage characters, and organize your script
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quill AI" icon="sparkles">
    Your AI co-writer for brainstorming and editing
  </Card>

  <Card title="Settings" icon="gear">
    Customize themes, fonts, and preferences
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 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

<Tip>
  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.
</Tip>

[Learn more about ScrollMap →](/writing/navigation-productivity#navigation-minimap-scrollmap)

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Learn Fountain basics" icon="book" href="/writing/formatting-basics">
    Master screenplay formatting with Fountain syntax
  </Card>

  <Card title="UI overview" icon="map" href="/getting-started/ui-overview">
    Understand the editor, panels, and navigation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Using Quill AI" icon="sparkles" href="/quill-ai/model-selection">
    Discover how to collaborate with your AI co-writer
  </Card>

  <Card title="Import existing scripts" icon="file-import" href="/managing-files/importing-files">
    Bring in Fountain, Final Draft, or PDF files
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Check>
  **You're ready to write!** Start your screenplay and explore Inkwell's features as you go.
</Check>