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Quick Start

Create a Project

  1. Launch Verkilo
  2. Click New Project
  3. Choose a save location and name
  4. Click Create

Create a Book

  1. Click New Book
  2. Enter a title
  3. Click Create

Your book appears as a card. Click it to open.

Create a Section

  1. Click Add Section at the bottom of the binder (left sidebar)
  2. Enter a title (e.g., Chapter 1)
  3. Click in the editor and start writing

Your work saves automatically.

The Interface

Verkilo editor interface
Figure: The Verkilo editor with Binder, Editor, and Inspector

Area Purpose
Navigation Switch between Books, Bundles, Characters, Locations
Binder Your book's sections (chapters, scenes)
Editor Where you write
Inspector Notes, search, section details, comments, history, goals

Essential Shortcuts

Action Mac Windows/Linux
Bold Cmd+B Ctrl+B
Italic Cmd+I Ctrl+I
Find Cmd+F Ctrl+F
New Section Cmd+N Ctrl+N

Format as You Write

Type these at the start of a line:

Type Result
# Heading 1
## Heading 2
- Bullet list
1. Numbered list
> Block quote
--- Scene break

Organize Your Work

  • Drag sections in the binder to reorder
  • Drag onto a section to nest it (scenes under chapters)
  • Right-click for more options (merge, compile settings, trash)

Export Your Book

  1. Go to Project > Export (Cmd/Ctrl+E)
  2. Choose a format:
    • EPUB - E-readers
    • PDF - Print
    • DOCX - Word/editors
  3. Click Export

Next Steps