Frequently asked questions

Charc is a writing app built specifically for novelists. It combines a structured outline tool with a full manuscript editor, progress tracking, character and setting notes, and a scrap pile — all in one place.

It runs entirely in your browser with no installation required.

No. Charc works immediately without an account — your work is saved locally in your browser. Creating a free account adds cloud sync so your projects are available on any device and protected against browser data being cleared.

Charc saves automatically every time you make a change — there is no save button. Without an account, data is stored in your browser's local storage. With a free account, changes are also synced to the cloud in the background.

If you clear your browser data without an account, your projects will be lost. We recommend creating an account to keep your work safe.

Yes. Open the account menu in the top navigation bar and select Restart tour.

The Outline tab is for planning — build a hierarchy of acts, chapters, and scenes, add synopses, and track structure before you write. The Manuscript tab is where you write the actual prose for each scene. Changes to scene titles in either tab stay in sync.

In the Outline tab, use the + Act, + Chapter, and + Scene toolbar buttons. You can also right-click any node in the outline for contextual options. Nodes can be nested by dragging them onto one another.

Hover between scenes to reveal a + scene button in the separator. There is also a permanent + scene button at the bottom of the last scene. Scenes added in the Manuscript are also reflected in the Outline.

The Scrap Pile is a freeform notes area for anything that doesn't fit the main structure — deleted scenes you might reuse, research notes, alternative ideas, or character backstory. Nothing in the Scrap Pile counts toward word count.

Yes. Hover over the right edge of any sidebar until the cursor changes to a resize arrow, then drag to your preferred width. Widths are saved automatically.

The Progress tab gives you an overview of your project. The top cards show total words written, draft completion percentage, chapters finished, and your current writing phase. Below that you can set word count targets for each chapter.

Click the Words written card to set an overall word count goal.

Use the Export button in the Manuscript tab toolbar. Charc supports DOCX, Manuscript PDF, Page View PDF, EPUB, HTML, Plain Text, and Markdown. Choose which scenes to include and pick your format before exporting.

Manuscript PDF produces a submission-standard document: Tinos 12pt (metrically identical to Times New Roman), double-spaced, 1-inch margins, and a running header with your surname, a short title, and the page number. Page 1 shows your author info and word count in the upper left. This format is accepted by most literary agents and publishers.

Page View PDF renders your manuscript exactly as it appears in Charc's page view — your chosen font, size, line spacing, margins, headers, and footers. It requires an internet connection and is ideal for sharing a polished draft or sending to a beta reader.

EPUB export produces a reflowable EPUB 3 file with your chapter structure, scene breaks, embedded fonts, and images. It opens in Calibre, Apple Books, Kindle (via Send to Kindle or conversion), and most e-readers. Fixed-layout EPUB and direct Send-to-Kindle are planned for a future update.

DOCX and Manuscript PDF work offline using browser-based fallbacks — output quality may differ slightly from the server-rendered version. Page View PDF and EPUB require an internet connection; a message is shown if you try to export without one.

Click the account menu in the top navigation bar and select Preferences. Under the Appearance section you'll find all available themes including Ember (dark amber), Daylight (clean white), Midnight, Forest, Parchment, Slate, Steampunk, Lavender, and Operator.

Charc can generate looping ambient audio — a blend of fire, paper, and atmospheric noise — to help you focus while writing. Click the flame icon in the top navigation to open the ambient panel.

Yes. Without an account, all data stays in your browser and never leaves your device. With an account, your projects are encrypted in transit and stored securely. We do not read your writing or share it with third parties.

Yes, with a free account. Sign in on any device and your projects sync automatically. Without an account, projects only exist in the browser they were created in.

Charc runs in mobile browsers but is optimised for desktop use. The layout and editing experience work best on a larger screen with a keyboard. A dedicated mobile app is on the roadmap.