Write
A clean page with typewriter mode, focus dimming, a session timer and an end-of-session recap.
CoreWrite likewatching.
Just Write ehis stays out of your way. Notes, novels, scripts, reading and a voice that reads it back — one free, open-source app that runs on your machine.
No account. No subscription. Your words stay yours.
The lighthouse keeper had not spoken to anyone in eleven days,
and the sea had not asked him anything in longer. He wrote
the way he ate — slowly, and only when no one was watching.
TypewriterSession 24:12842 words
Not a blank box. Not a project manager.
Most writing apps are either too simple — a blank box — or too complex: a project-management tool with a writing mode bolted on. Just Write ehis sits in the middle. Enough structure to keep a novel, a script or a month of notes in order; enough restraint to stay out of your head while you write.
Open it, write, close it. Everything is a plain file on your disk, indexed locally, with an editor that gets out of the way. The AI, the voice and the memory all run on your machine — or not at all, if you'd rather they didn't.
A writing app that stays out of your way.The idea, in one line
What it
actually does
Eleven spaces, one editor. No padding, no upsell — it's all in the free app.
Logs
A daily note that creates itself, a calendar strip, quick capture and a touched-today footer.
DailyNovel Studio
Drag scenes and acts on a beat board — that order is exactly what Compile exports. Plus a Story Bible.
FictionScript
Write in Fountain with a proper screenplay view. Scenes, action, dialogue, in the right format.
ScreenReader
Import EPUB, PDF, DOCX, Markdown or text. A shelf, ratings, and it remembers your place.
ReadingMap
Every note laid out as a link graph, automatically. See how your ideas connect.
GraphCanvas
A freeform corkboard. Drop cards, drag them around, link them, and link them to your docs.
BoardsCapture
Dump an idea in one keystroke from anywhere. Enter saves it; triage it later. Dictate it if you're on the move.
InboxAI panel
Chat, composer and structurize with streaming, plus Tab-to-accept autocomplete. Bring your own endpoint — local or API. Nothing leaves unless you say so.
Local or BYOVoice
Talk and it types (speech-to-text), and hear your draft read back (text-to-speech) — both with models that run on your machine.
STT · TTSStory Memory
After you save a scene, a local model pulls out characters, places and traits into your Story Bible — and flags contradictions.
On-deviceExport
Markdown, text and HTML built in. DOCX and EPUB too. PDF via a bundled renderer. Compile a whole manuscript from your scenes.
md · docx · epub · pdfThe
receipts
Claims are cheap. Here's what's actually true, and it's all in the free download.
Your words never leave the machine
- Files on disk are the source of truth — plain files you can open, back up, or move.
- Works fully offline. No account, no sign-in, no phone-home.
- AI is opt-in and bring-your-own: point it at a local model or your own API key.
- Per-workspace "local-only" blocks network calls — loudly, never silently.
- Opt-in memory scrubs secrets before anything is sent; wipe chats anytime.
Export anything
| Format | How | Offline |
|---|---|---|
| Markdown · TXT · HTML | Built in | Yes |
| DOCX · EPUB | Built-in writer | Yes |
| Bundled renderer | Yes | |
| Full manuscript | Compile from scenes | Yes |
Shortcuts you'll actually use
Jump anywhereCtrlK
Quick captureCtrlShiftF
AI panelCtrlJ
Insert last AI replyCtrlEnter
TimestampCtrlT
Zen modeF11
Full shortcut sheet?
11workspaces, one editor
0accounts, subscriptions or cloud lock-in
6export formats, all offline
100%local files you control
Start writing
Use it free in the browser, or install it on Windows. Same app, same words — the desktop version adds local voice, AI memory and full export.
The desktop app is a one-click installer for Windows 10/11 (64-bit). It bundles everything — no Python, no model downloads, no setup. Your work is saved as plain files on your disk. Looking for an older build or the source? All releases live on GitHub.
Heads-up on first run: Windows SmartScreen may show "Windows protected your PC" because the app has no paid code-signing certificate. Click More info → Run anyway. It's free software (AGPL v3) — you can read every line of it.
Tauri 2 · Rust · Svelte 5 · CodeMirror 6 · SQLite
Straight
answers
No fine print. Here's the honest version.
Is it really free?
Yes. Just Write ehis is free and open-source under the AGPL v3 license. No paywall, no trial timer, no account. The browser version is free to use, and the desktop app is a free download. If you want to support it, star the repo or contribute.
What platforms are supported?
The desktop app is a Windows 10/11 (64-bit) installer today. The web app runs in any modern browser and is free to use — it stores your work in your browser. On Android, install it as a PWA and share text straight into Capture. macOS and Linux builds aren't out yet.
Does my writing leave my machine?
Not by default. Your documents are plain files on your own disk, indexed locally in SQLite, and the app works fully offline. There's no account and no phone-home. AI is strictly opt-in and bring-your-own: you point it at a local model or your own API key, and you can mark any workspace "local-only" so network calls are refused out loud.
How does the AI actually work?
You bring the endpoint. It speaks the OpenAI-compatible protocol, so it works with a local model or a hosted key. In the app you get a chat panel, a composer that streams and inserts text, a structurizer, and Tab-to-accept autocomplete. Local speech-to-text and text-to-speech run on-device, and an on-device Story Memory pulls characters and traits out of your scenes into the Story Bible.
Can I get my files out?
Always. Everything is a plain file you already own. Export any document to Markdown, text or HTML; DOCX, EPUB and PDF are built in too. Compile an entire manuscript from your Novel scenes. No lock-in, no export gate.
Web app vs desktop — what's the difference?
The web app gives you the full editor and all the workspaces for free in the browser (storage lives in your browser). The desktop app adds the on-device runtimes — local voice (STT/TTS), AI memory, and full DOCX/EPUB/PDF export — plus Windows file associations, and it saves your work as real files on disk. Same interface, more muscle.