How do I get started with Folio?
Last reviewed November 4, 2026
Create a free account, verify your email, and start a project. In Plan, add a chapter and a scene as cards. In Draft, write the scene with your outline beside you. Use World, Research or Notes to keep track of people, places and sources. The whole walkthrough takes about ten minutes.
1. Create your account
Create a free account with your email. Folio sends a link to verify your address; if it doesn't arrive in a few minutes, check your spam folder. Free covers up to five active projects and every writing tool.
2. Start a project and pick its type
Choose the type that matches what you are writing. It only changes the wording and which kinds of reference entries are offered; every type works the same way.
| Type | Structure | Reference space |
|---|---|---|
| Novel | Chapters and scenes | World: characters, places, histories, cultures, items |
| Nonfiction | Chapters and sections | Research: sources, people, concepts, quotes |
| Journal | Months and entries | Notes: people, places, themes |
| Freeform | Groups and pages | Notes: notes and references |
3. Sketch the shape in Plan
Plan shows your chapters as cards on a corkboard. Add a card, give it a short description, and drag cards into the order you want. Each card holds its scenes. You can rearrange as often as you like; nothing is locked in.
4. Write in Draft
Draft is the editor. Your outline of chapters and scenes sits on one side and the text of the scene you're in sits on the other. Folio saves as you type, so there is nothing to remember. See how saving, history and backups work.
5. Try focus mode and a sprint
Focus mode hides everything but your scene. Start a sprint with a timer of 15, 25 or 45 minutes, write, and Folio shows roughly how many words you added when the timer ends.
6. Keep track of your world or research
Open the reference space for your project type and add an entry, such as a character or a source. Give it tags and a short description. In a scene, type @ and pick the entry to link to it, then click the name any time to open it.
7. Know where your work goes
Your writing is saved to your account. You can export it to Markdown or plain text at any time, and Premium adds Word. If you are bringing a manuscript in from Word or Scrivener, read how to import it.
Next steps
- What the authorship record is, and how to switch it off
- What's included in Free and Premium
- Stuck? Use the Help button in the top bar of the app and tell us what happened.
Common questions
Do I need a credit card to try Folio?
No. Folio is free for up to five active projects, and every writing tool is included.