Getting Started
Write your first screenplay in 5 minutes. This guide walks you through the basics.
The Interface at a Glance
When you open a screenplay in OpenDraft, you'll see these main areas:
- Menu Bar (top) — Access all features via File, Edit, Format, View, Tools, and Help menus.
- Toolbar (below menu) — Quick buttons for formatting, element type, font, zoom, and search.
- Editor (center) — The main writing area where your screenplay lives. It looks and behaves like a page of paper.
- Side Panels (left/right) — Optional panels for Scene Navigator, Index Cards, Characters, Tags, and more. Toggle them from the View menu.
- Status Bar (bottom) — Shows your current page count and zoom level.
Step 1: Create a Project
Everything in OpenDraft lives inside a project. A project holds one or more screenplays, assets, and version history.
- When you first open OpenDraft, you'll see the Projects screen. Click the + New Project button.
- Give your project a name (e.g., "My First Screenplay") and press Create.
- Your new project opens. You'll see tabs for Scripts, Assets, and Versions.
You can add metadata to your project later — genre, logline, synopsis, author, and more — via the project properties dialog.
Step 2: Create a Script
- Inside your project, click + New Script in the Scripts tab.
- Give your script a name and press Create.
- Click on the script to open it in the editor.
Step 3: Write Your First Scene
Screenplays are built from elements — scene headings, action, character names, dialogue, and more. OpenDraft formats them automatically.
-
Start with a Scene Heading. The editor begins in Scene Heading mode. Type your location:
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Press Enter to move to the next line. The element type automatically switches to Action. -
Write some action. Describe what we see:
A busy coffee shop. SARAH (30s, sharp eyes, messy bun) waits in line, fidgeting with her phone.
Press Enter twice to move on. -
Add a character and dialogue. Press ⌘3 to switch to Character mode, then type the name:
SARAH
Press Enter — it automatically switches to Dialogue mode. Type what they say:Come on, come on... I'm going to be late.
-
Add a parenthetical. Press ⌘5 for a Parenthetical:
(checking her watch)
Press Enter to return to dialogue.
Shortcut tip: Use ⌘1 through ⌘8 to quickly switch between element types. Or use the element dropdown in the toolbar. See the full list in Writing Your Screenplay.
Step 4: Save Your Work
OpenDraft offers two ways to save:
- Quick Save (⌘S) — Saves your current work instantly.
- Check In (File > Versions > Check In) — Creates a named version checkpoint. You can view, compare, and restore any checked-in version later. Think of it like a "save point" in a video game.
Check in early and often! Every time you finish a scene or make significant progress, use Check In to save a version you can always return to.
Step 5: Explore the Panels
Open side panels from the View menu to access powerful tools:
| Panel | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Navigator | Lists all scenes; click to jump | Quick navigation in long scripts |
| Index Cards | Visual cards for each scene | Rearranging scenes, adding synopses |
| Beat Board | Story beats organized by act | High-level story planning |
| Characters | Rich profiles with images, backstories, roles, and stats | Building your cast, tracking who appears where |
| Script Notes | Color-coded annotations | Reminders, feedback, research |
| Tags | Production tagging (props, costumes...) | Pre-production breakdowns |
Next Steps
You now know the basics! Here's where to go next:
- Writing Your Screenplay — Deep dive into all screenplay elements and the editor
- Formatting — Bold, italic, fonts, and page formatting
- Characters — Build character profiles and track dialogue
- Keyboard Shortcuts — Speed up your workflow