# Outline

## What is the Outline tool

The Outline tool helps you plan your story chapter by chapter. You can break each chapter into scenes, capture key details, and connect them to your worldbuilding. This gives you a clear roadmap before you start drafting.

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### Why Outline is useful

Outlining helps you:

* Organize your chapters into smaller, manageable scenes
* Plan perspectives, hooks, and sensory details before writing
* Connect each scene to story elements such as characters, locations, or items
* Rearrange scenes easily to test different story flows
* On the web version, keep your outline open on the side while you write

### How to create an outline

1. Open your project and go to the **Writing Tool**
2. Select **Outline**
3. Click the **+** sign to create your first scene

Each scene includes:

* **Text field**: write a description, notes, POV, hook, or sensory detail
* **Story element links**: attach characters, locations, or documents connected to the scene
* **Labels**: categorize scenes (for example, “Action,” “Romance,” “Climax”)

When you finish, click **Save**.

### How to manage your scenes

* After you create several scenes, rearrange them by **dragging and dropping**
* Group scenes by chapter or arc to keep your structure clear
* Edit or expand any scene at any time without losing your work

### Tips and tricks

* Use labels consistently to track themes or plotlines across chapters
* Keep POV notes short and clear so you can spot changes quickly
* Link only essential elements to avoid clutter
* Draft a few bullet points instead of full paragraphs to keep your outline flexible

### Conclusion

The Outline tool turns big ideas into a step by step plan. By organizing your story into scenes and connecting them with your worldbuilding, you create a structure that guides your writing without boxing in your creativity.

## Interactive tutorial

Please ensure your audio is turned on for the optimal experience.

{% @arcade/embed flowId="WlhXaELmOkkW6lMSBQDp" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/WlhXaELmOkkW6lMSBQDp>" %}

<details>

<summary>What's the difference between a chapter and a scene in the Outline?</summary>

A chapter is the top-level grouping. Scenes live inside chapters and represent individual moments within that chapter.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can I keep my outline visible while I write?</summary>

Yes, on the web version. You can pin the Outline panel to the side of your screen so it stays visible while you draft. Useful for checking scene notes or POV without switching tabs.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Does reordering scenes affect my actual written content?</summary>

No. The Outline is a planning layer separate from your drafted text. Moving scenes around only affects the outline structure, not any writing you've already done.

</details>