Manuskript
Manuskript is a free desktop writing tool for writers who prefer to plan and organize before drafting.
What Manuskript is
Manuskript is a free desktop writing tool for writers who prefer to plan and organize before drafting. Its outliner arranges ideas and snippets hierarchically and lets users move them around. In distraction-free mode, writers can set a word-count or time goal before leaving the editor. A novel assistant applies the Snowflake method to develop an idea into characters, plots, and a story universe, while story notes can track characters, plots, events, and places. Manuskript runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and works offline. GNU/Linux downloads include Debian, Fedora, Flatpak, Snap, and source options; the Windows download is a ZIP package that runs manuskript.exe. Adding Pandoc enables additional import and export formats, including ePub, OpenDocument, and DocX. LanguageTool can add more detailed spelling and grammar checks, but requires Java and may significantly slow loading. The maker describes the software as being in early development and recommends frequent backups to reduce the risk of data loss.
Good
- Works offline on three desktop platforms.
- Outliner organizes and rearranges ideas and snippets.
- Novel assistant uses the Snowflake method.
- Pandoc adds ePub, OpenDocument, and DocX formats.
Watch out
- The maker describes it as early development.
- Frequent backups are recommended to reduce data-loss risk.
- LanguageTool requires Java and may slow loading.
Who it suits
Manuskript suits writers who want to structure ideas, plot, and story details before writing, including those who need an offline desktop tool. It is available across Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Verdict
Manuskript brings outlining, story planning, notes, and distraction-free writing into a free offline desktop app. Its early-development status makes the maker’s backup recommendation worth keeping in mind.
Plans and prices
From Manuskript's own pricing page, checked 19 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open-source software | — | GNU GPL version 3 or later · No recurring subscription price · Downloadable desktop application |
| Manuskript | Free | Open-source writing software |
The facts
Each one read from Manuskript's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Development status
- The maker describes Manuskript as being in early development and recommends frequent backups to reduce risk of data loss.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Export formats
- extensivechecked 19 Sep 2026
- Import and export
- Installing Pandoc adds import and export formats including ePub, OpenDocument, and DocX.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Novel assistant
- The novel assistant uses the Snowflake method to develop an idea into characters, plots, and a story universe.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Offline mode
- Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026
- Outliner
- The outliner organizes thoughts and snippets hierarchically and lets users reorganize them.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Manuskript is a writing tool for writers who like to organize and plan before writing.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Spell and grammar check
- LanguageTool can provide more detailed spell and grammar checking, requires Java, and may significantly slow loading.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Story notes
- Users can keep notes about characters, plots, events, and places in a story.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to GitHub to report bugs or request features.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Unsupported releases
- Older versions are unsupported, and the maker asks users not to submit bug reports for them.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Distraction-free mode
- Distraction-free mode lets writers set a word-count or time goal before leaving the editor.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Linux packages
- The download page lists Debian, Fedora, Flatpak, Snap, and source options for GNU/Linux.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Windows package
- The download page provides a Windows ZIP package that runs manuskript.exe.checked 11 Oct 2026
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