User Manual
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Getting Started
System Requirements
- macOS 12.0 (Monterey) or later
- Apple Silicon or Intel processor
- Approximately 30 MB of available disk space
Installation
- Visit the Mac App Store page for DraftWriter.
- Click the Get button to download and install DraftWriter.
- Once installed, DraftWriter will appear in your Applications folder and Launchpad.
First Launch
DraftWriter will present you with an empty document. You can start typing immediately -- each sentence you write will be placed in its own cell. To open an existing document instead, press ⌘O or select File → Open from the menu bar.
Understanding the Cell-Based Interface
What Are Cells?
DraftWriter organizes your writing into cells. Each cell holds a single sentence, much like a row in a spreadsheet. This design lets you treat every sentence as an independent unit that can be edited, moved, or deleted without affecting surrounding text.
Why Cells?
Traditional word processors treat a document as a continuous stream of text. DraftWriter takes a different approach:
- Focused editing -- work on one sentence at a time without distractions.
- Easy reorganization -- drag or keyboard-move any sentence to a new position instantly.
- Visual structure -- see the skeleton of your writing at a glance and spot pacing issues early.
Creating a New Cell
Press Enter (or Return) while a cell is selected to insert a new, empty cell directly below it. You can also create a new cell by selecting Edit → New Cell from the menu bar.
Navigating Between Cells
Use the Up Arrow (↑) and Down Arrow (↓) keys to move focus from one cell to another. The currently selected cell is visually highlighted so you always know where you are in the document.
Writing and Editing
Editing a Cell
Click on any cell or navigate to it with the arrow keys to begin editing. The cell expands to show a text cursor, and you can type or modify its content freely. Changes are saved in place -- there is no separate "edit mode" to enter or exit.
Moving Cells
To reorder your writing, select a cell and press ⌘↑ (Command + Up Arrow) or ⌘↓ (Command + Down Arrow) to move it up or down within the document. This is one of DraftWriter's most powerful features: you can restructure paragraphs and rearrange arguments without cutting and pasting.
Deleting a Cell
Select the cell you want to remove and press ⌘Delete (Command + Delete). The cell and its content will be removed, and the surrounding cells will close the gap automatically.
Undo and Redo
DraftWriter supports the standard macOS undo/redo shortcuts:
- ⌘Z -- Undo the last action.
- ⌘⇧Z -- Redo the previously undone action.
Organization Features
Document Structure
Because every sentence lives in its own cell, you can visually scan your document's structure at any time. Long documents naturally reveal their rhythm: short punchy sentences stand out from longer, more complex ones, making it easy to vary your pacing.
Grouping Cells
You can logically group related cells together to form paragraphs or sections. Groups help you keep track of which sentences belong together and allow you to collapse or expand portions of your document as needed.
Working with Multiple Documents
DraftWriter lets you have several documents open simultaneously. Use ⌘N to create a new document or ⌘O to open an existing one. Switch between open documents using the standard macOS window management features or the Window menu.
Saving Your Work
Press ⌘S at any time to save the current document. DraftWriter uses its own file format to preserve cell boundaries and metadata. When you need to share your work, use the Export feature to convert to a standard format.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Document Management
- ⌘N -- Create a new document
- ⌘O -- Open an existing document
- ⌘S -- Save the current document
- ⌘E -- Export the document
Cell Navigation
- ↑ / ↓ -- Move focus to the previous / next cell
- Enter -- Create a new cell below the current one
Cell Operations
- ⌘↑ / ⌘↓ -- Move the selected cell up / down
- ⌘Delete -- Delete the selected cell
Editing
- ⌘Z -- Undo
- ⌘⇧Z -- Redo
- ⌘C -- Copy
- ⌘V -- Paste
- ⌘X -- Cut
- ⌘A -- Select all text in the current cell
Exporting Your Work
Supported Formats
DraftWriter can export your document to three widely used formats:
- Plain Text (.txt) -- A simple text file with no formatting. Ideal for pasting into emails, web forms, or other plain-text editors.
- Markdown (.md) -- A lightweight markup format popular with developers and technical writers. Great for publishing on the web or converting to HTML.
- CSV (.csv) -- A spreadsheet-compatible format that preserves cell structure and metadata. Great for data analysis or importing into spreadsheet applications.
How to Export
- Open the document you want to export.
- Select File → Export from the menu bar, or press ⌘E.
- Choose the desired format from the dialog.
- Pick a destination folder and file name, then click Save.
The exported file will contain all of your cells joined into continuous prose, with paragraph breaks preserved where you grouped your cells.