Kindling

Kindling is a desktop writing application built for plotters and outliners — writers who build a detailed outline before they start drafting. Most writing software gives you a blank page when it's time to write. Kindling gives you a scaffolded writing space where your scene beats are expandable prompts, your character and location details surface automatically, and your story structure stays visible while you write. Import your existing outline from Plottr, yWriter, or Obsidian Longform — no need to rebuild your work. When your draft is ready, export to DOCX or Markdown and move it into Scrivener, Google Docs, or wherever you revise. Kindling is free, open source (MIT license), and local-first. Your files are saved on your machine in open formats. No account required, no cloud dependency, no subscription. Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

★★★★★

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Download Kindling (Official links)

File size: 4.21 MB

The latest version of Kindling is: 1.0.0-beta

Operating system: Windows, Linux, MacOS

Languages: English

Developer: Kindling

Price: $0.00 USD

Scaffolded writing space with visible structure. The main editor keeps the story outline visible while the writer drafts. Each plot point or scene beat appears as an expandable block. The writer develops the full prose directly beneath each block, maintaining narrative orientation and preventing structural drift during the drafting process.
Character cards with automatic surfacing. Biographical data, motivations, and relationship maps for characters are stored in an internal database. While the writer composes a scene involving a specific character, the application displays the corresponding notes in a contextual side panel for immediate reference.
Location and setting management. Locations can be defined with detailed descriptions, conceptual maps, or relevant objects. When a scene takes place in a particular setting, the information for that location is presented automatically to the writer alongside the text being written.
Direct import from Plottr, yWriter, and Obsidian Longform. Users who have already developed their outline in other specialized software can import the file directly. The existing structure is converted into editable scene blocks within Kindling without manual recreation of each plot point.
Export to DOCX and Markdown formats. After the draft is completed, the manuscript can be exported to standard document formats. DOCX files are compatible with word processors such as Microsoft Word or LibreOffice. Markdown export allows migration to Scrivener, Google Docs, or version control systems.
Expandable and collapsible scene blocks. Each element of the outline functions as a content block. Blocks can be expanded to show the developed prose or collapsed to display only the title or beat. This feature facilitates navigation through the manuscript and provides a high-level view of the story structure.
Local storage in open file formats. All project files are saved on the user's hard drive in human-readable and machine-readable formats. There is no dependency on external servers and no proprietary formats that could impede data portability or long-term access to the manuscript.
Side panel for research notes display. In addition to characters and locations, Kindling supports general research notes. During drafting, these notes appear in the side panel, allowing the writer to consult historical, technical, or contextual information without interrupting the writing flow.
Draggable chapter and scene outline. The project structure is represented in a hierarchical panel where chapters and scenes can be reorganized using drag-and-drop operations. Changes in order are automatically reflected in numbering and project navigation.
No internet connection required. The application operates entirely offline. No manuscript data is transmitted to external servers, ensuring privacy and availability of the software in environments without network access.
Native availability for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Kindling is distributed as a desktop application for the three major operating systems. It does not require emulators or additional compatibility layers to function.
MIT license and open source codebase. The Kindling source code is published under the MIT license, permitting external developers to study, modify, or distribute the software. The community can contribute improvements or specific adaptations to the tool.

The development history of Kindling began in 2021. The project was initiated by Dave Combs, a writer and software developer, with the objective of creating a writing tool focused exclusively on the planning and outlining phase. Unlike other applications that integrate multiple functions, Kindling was designed specifically for writers who work with detailed outlines before drafting. The initial development was carried out in the JavaScript programming language, using the Electron framework to achieve cross-platform compatibility.