Manuskript

Name: Manuskript
Rating: 4.6 (12 reviews)

Open-source tool for writers. With outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.

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Flathub

★

Avg rating of 4.6 (12) 15 comments 102 alternatives

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What is Manuskript?

Manuskript is an open-source tool for writers, with outliner, character management, plot development, distraction-free editor, etc.

Outliner Organize your thoughts and snippets in a hierarchical manner. Organize them as you wish, reorganize them on the go.

Distraction-free mode Get rid of all distraction while writing. Set personal goal in word count or time before you can leave editor.

Novel assistant Use the snowflake method to grow your single genius idea in an coherent whole, with complex characters, intricate plots and detailed universe.

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Manuskript Features

Works OfflineManuskript can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
Ad-freeManuskript doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Dark ModeManuskript supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Support for MarkDownManuskript supports MarkDown for document formatting.
File VersioningManuskript has a version system that lets you view and go back to older versions of the project/file/document.

Manuskript information

Developed byTheologeek
LicensingOpen Source (GPL-3.0) and Free product.
Written in
Python
RatingAverage rating of 4.6 (12 ratings)
Alternatives102 alternatives listed

Supported Languages

English

GitHub repository

1,582 Stars
214 Forks
493 Open Issues
Updated

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Our users have written 15 comments and reviews about Manuskript, and it has gotten 142 likes

Manuskript was added to AlternativeTo by olivierkeshavjee on and this page was last updated .

Comments and Reviews Post a comment/review

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Corruleum

★

Top positive comment •

The only program that fits my workflow for larger (read: multi-chapter) works, and my secondary option for shorter works.

I've used version 0.6.0, for Linux (Mint 18.2) and Windows (7), and just updated to 0.8.0. Most of this was thus written with 0.6.0 in mind, with a few allowances for visible updates.

Pros:

Markdown. A must for me.
Ability to export as html, amongst other things.
Small file size. Default is a program-specific compressed archive file; if you untick the box for that, it's a folder structure where everything is saved as .md files.
Split-screen option, useful for comparing scenes or checking notes.
Ability to choose what you can and can't compile (read: export), so you can keep notes mixed in with the final product without affecting it.
Custom font/background colour options in writing window.
Cross-platform; consistent between Windows and Linux.
Option to remember previous project, which can be unticked.
Option to display/hide wordcount in tree view. If a wordcount goal for a scene/folder is set, also displays a progress bar below the working area.

Cons:

In 0.6.0, occasionally crashes without warning when trying to, for example, move a folder from one project to another. Not sure if it still does in 0.8.0.
No program-wide dark theme; UI is consistently light.
No as-you-write live preview. (I prefer working split-screen edit/preview view where possible.)
Does not remember the previous save (or load) location for new files; only recent files are remembered. When working on multiple devices, have to open each project on each new device for it to find them again later.
On Linux, does not support automatically updating.

Other notes:

Spellcheck doesn't always display red underlines when working in folders (rather than scenes). Clicking into the scene should fix this.
I have had times when spellcheck has only offered to add words to dictionary when it had suggestions; words it didn't have suggestions for could not be added. (In my case, this included a character name.)
When working in a folder, does not automatically scroll the view when the cursor goes offscreen.
Displays markdown marks (eg asterisks) inline, while also showing the formatting. This is my personal preference, but won't be to everyone's taste.
Font face choices save to the file; if using between multiple devices, all devices must have the font face of choice to display properly, otherwise it reverts to the default (sans serif iirc) font.
Windows version displays two windows on the taskbar (Win7); one background and one foreground.
Does not support rich text. Some html support (or at least highlighting).
Some markdown is displayed with alternate colours, which cannot be changed and may be difficult to read on darker backgrounds.

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aethyrsix

★

Top positive comment •

This is by far the best alternative to Scrivener. It’s only a few features short of outright beating Scrivener. Potential to become the industry standard as soon as it’s stable and with a form of crash rescue or automatic cloud sync.

highly recommended.

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SpaceElf

★

Top negative comment •

Manuskript is an amazing software I wish I could use. I love its features and structure. Unfortunately, after a while, I can't open projects anymore. I connected the support but never got an answer.

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mariez

★

Positive comment •

Linux alternative to Scrivener

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Henrique Alves

★

Review •

It looks like a great alternative to Scrivener, but unfortunately you can't use bold or any other code, the software has no ability to hide the code and display only the formatted text, it looks ridiculous.

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andgregorik

★

Positive comment •

This is a pro level creative tool, and it's almost mind-boggling how it's open source and free.

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C.A.

Comment •

As of version 0.9.0-1, does not display properly on Linux Mint (and possibly other distros with non-Qt-based desktops, including Manjaro); i.e., missing icons, incorrectly themed elements. Known to affect Cinnamon, XFCE, & Manjaro Gnome.

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Manuskript

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