BIAS Writer - User Features Guide

Introduction
Core Concepts
Annotation Syntax
The Find Panel
Two-Stage Filtering (Patent-Pending)
Document Management
- Creating Documents
- Document Types
- Document Operations (Single & Merge)
- Selection Mode & Bulk Operations
- Library Panel Organization
- Right-Click / Swipe Controls
- Toolbar & Menu System
- Sprint & Stats
- Desktop Focus Mode
- Sorting Options
- Split Document Feature
- Viewing Archived Documents
Project Organization
Export Features
Markdown Guide
Keyboard Shortcuts
Use Cases & Workflows
- TODO Item Management
- Revision Tracking
- Theme Analysis
- Multi-Version Management
- Collaborative Feedback
- Breaking Up Large Manuscripts
- Starting a New Draft Version
- Daily Writing Sessions with Timer
Tips & Best Practices

Introduction

BIAS Writer is a professional markdown writing environment designed for novelists, screenwriters, academics, and content creators who need powerful organizational tools without sacrificing writing flow.

What Makes BIAS Writer Different?

Patent-Pending Two-Stage Filtering System

Unlike traditional search tools that require complex boolean syntax (type:memo AND content:TODO), BIAS Writer uses an intuitive two-step approach:

Select what you want to find (Memos, Omits, or Tags)
Search within those results (optional refinement)

The result? Powerful filtered searches that feel natural and show you exactly what you found with clear X/Y count displays (e.g., "3/12 memos found").

Key Features at a Glance

✅ Three annotation types: Memos, Omits, and Tags
✅ Multi-mode Find Panel: Search, Memos, Omits, Tags
✅ Two-stage filtering: Category first, then search
✅ Clear result counts: Always know filtered vs. total
✅ Project organization: Multiple projects, unlimited documents
✅ Flexible export: Selectively include/exclude annotations
✅ Offline-first: All data stored locally, works without internet

Core Concepts

What are Annotations?

Annotations are special text markers you add inline while writing. They serve as:

Notes to yourself (memos)
Content to exclude (omits)
Organizational labels (tags)

Unlike traditional comments that sit in margins, BIAS Writer annotations live inside your text using simple, non-intrusive syntax.

The Three Annotation Types

Type	Symbol	Purpose	Visual Style
Memo	`((text))`	Private notes, TODOs, reminders	🟨 Yellow highlight
Omit	`[[text]]`	Content to exclude from exports	Dimmed + strikethrough
Tag	`#tag`	Categorical labels, topics	🟦 Blue

Annotation Syntax

Memos

Syntax: ((your note here))

Purpose: Private notes that don't appear in final output

Examples:

The protagonist entered ((TODO: describe the castle)) the great hall.

She smiled ((is this the right emotion?)) and waved goodbye.

The data shows ((VERIFY: check source)) a 42% increase.

Use cases:

Research reminders
Editorial notes
Revision tasks
Questions to answer later
Placeholder text

Visual appearance: Yellow background highlight

Omits

Syntax: [[text to cut]]

Purpose: Content you want to keep but exclude from exports

Examples:

The hero fought [[and engaged in lengthy combat that slowed the pacing]] 
the villain.

The meeting covered [[extensive technical details about the algorithm]] 
the new product launch.

Chapter 3 begins with [[a long description that my editor didn't like]] 
the main event.

Use cases:

Cut content (but keep for reference)
Alternative versions
Deleted scenes
Verbose passages
Behind-the-scenes notes

Visual appearance: Dimmed text with strikethrough

Special feature: Toggle visibility on/off with omit elision

The Find Panel

The Find Panel is your command center for navigating annotations across all documents in a project.

Opening the Find Panel

Methods:

Click "Find" button in toolbar
Press Cmd/Ctrl + F
Click any annotation to open relevant mode

Four Modes

1. Search Mode

Purpose: Traditional full-text search across all document content

Features:

Search any text in your documents
Case-sensitive option
Regular expression support
Whole word matching
Shows results with context

Example: Search for "castle" to find all mentions across your novel.

2. Memos Mode (Two-Stage Filtering)

Purpose: Browse and filter all ((memos)) in your project

How it works:

Stage 1 - Show All Memos:

Display: "12/12 memos found"

Automatically collects ALL memos from ALL documents
Groups by document
Shows memo content with context
Click any memo to jump to it in editor

Stage 2 - Filter Memos:

Type "TODO" in filter box
Display: "3/12 memos found"

Searches within the 12 collected memos
Only shows memos containing "TODO"
Maintains document grouping
Clear X/Y count shows filtered vs. total

Example workflow:

Open Memos mode → See all 45 memos across 12 documents
Type "character" → Find 8 memos about characters
Type "Alice character" → Narrow to 3 memos about Alice
Click result → Jump directly to that memo in its document

3. Omits Mode (Two-Stage Filtering)

Purpose: Browse and filter all [[omits]] in your project

How it works:

Stage 1 - Show All Omits:

Display: "8/8 omits found"

Collects ALL omitted content
Shows what you've cut but kept
Useful for reviewing deleted scenes

Stage 2 - Filter Omits:

Type "combat" in filter box
Display: "2/8 omits found"

Find specific omitted content
Review related cuts together
Restore content if needed

Special feature: Toggle omit visibility in editor

Click "Show/Hide in editor" button
Hides omitted text completely (shows [...])
Helps see final version while writing

Example workflow:

Open Omits mode → See all 23 omitted sections
Type "chapter 5" → Find omits from that chapter
Review if any should be restored
Toggle visibility to preview final version

4. Tags Mode (Aggregation)

Purpose: View all #tags and find their instances

How it works:

Tag Collection:

Display: "15 tags found"
Shows: #needsrevision (8), #act1 (12), #Alice (7), ...

Automatically extracts all unique tags
Shows occurrence count for each
Displays as clickable pills
Sorted alphabetically

Tag Instance View:

Click "#needsrevision"
Display: Shows all 8 instances across documents

See every place you used that tag
Context shown for each instance
Jump to any instance
Understand tag distribution

Example workflow:

Open Tags mode → See all 20 tags in your novel
Click #characterdev → Find all 15 character development scenes
Review distribution across chapters
Plan revision priorities

Two-Stage Filtering (Patent-Pending)

The Innovation

Traditional search requires you to know complex syntax:

Traditional: type:memo AND content:TODO
BIAS Writer: 1) Click "Memos"  2) Type "TODO"

Why It Matters

1. Intuitive Interface

No need to learn boolean operators
Visual mode selection
Natural language search

2. Clear Results

Always shows filtered/total counts
"3/12 memos found" is immediately understandable
Know your search scope at a glance

3. Categorical Focus

Results never mix types
Memos stay separate from omits
Maintains mental model

4. Compound Queries Made Simple

Want memos about characters in Act 1?
Tag scenes with #act1, add memos with ((character notes))
Filter tags to #act1, then filter memos containing "character"
No complex syntax needed

The X/Y Count Format

The count display always shows: "X/Y [type] found"

What it means:

X = Results matching your current filter
Y = Total items of this type in project
[type] = memos, omits, or tags

Examples:

12/12 memos found - No filter applied, showing all memos
3/12 memos found - Filter active, 3 match out of 12 total
1/8 omits found - Very specific search
15 tags found - Tag collection (no filtering yet)

Document Management

Creating Documents

Methods:

Click "+ New" button
Import from file

Automatic features:

Title extracted from first line
Tags extracted from content
Word count calculated (excluding annotations)
Timestamps tracked

Document Types

Normal Documents:

Default type
For active writing
Full editing capabilities
No special indicators

Reference Documents:

Colored dot indicator
"Reference" watermark overlay
Blue line in editor
For research, notes, background material
Separate visual treatment
Can be excluded from certain operations

Document Operations

Single Document Operations:

Duplicate:

Creates exact copy
Placed after original
Useful for alternative versions

Split Document:

Split at cursor position
Split at headers (H1, H2, or H3)
Creates multiple documents from one
Preserves or archives original
Maintains document order

Merge Documents:

Combine multiple documents into one
Opens merge dialog with document selector
Choose which documents to merge
Select merge order
Creates new merged document
Original documents can be kept, archived, or deleted

Archive:

Hides from main document list
Preserves all content and metadata
Accessible via "Show Archived" toggle
Useful for old drafts or unused content
Reversible operation (can restore anytime)
Find Panel behavior: When "Show Archived" is ON, Find Panel searches ONLY archived documents. When OFF, searches only active documents.

Delete:

Permanent removal
Confirmation required
Cannot be undone

Selection Mode & Bulk Operations

Activate Selection Mode:

Click selection icon in Library panel
Enter multi-select mode
Checkboxes appear next to documents

Select Documents:

Click checkboxes to select multiple documents
Select all with "Select All" button
Deselect with "Clear Selection"

Bulk Operations Available:

Duplicate + Archive Original:

Duplicates all selected documents
Archives the originals automatically
Perfect for creating new draft versions
Maintains document order
Example: Select chapters 1-5 → Duplicate + Archive → Get fresh copies, originals safely archived

Bulk Tag:

Add tags to multiple documents at once
Opens tag input dialog
Enter tags (e.g., #draft2 #revised)
Tags added to all selected documents
Example: Select all Act 1 scenes → Add #act1 #needsrevision

Bulk Archive:

Archive multiple documents simultaneously
All selected documents moved to archive view
Preserves all content and metadata

Bulk Delete:

Delete multiple documents at once
Confirmation dialog shows count
Permanent - cannot be undone
Use carefully!

Exit Selection Mode:

Click selection icon again
Or click "Cancel" / "Done"

Library Panel Organization

Two Tabs:

Documents Tab:

Shows all documents in current project
View Controls:
- "Show Archived" toggle - View archived documents
- "Reference Only" toggle - Show only reference documents
- Sort dropdown - Manual, Alphabetical, Created, Modified
- Selection Mode button - Activate bulk operations
Drag-and-drop to reorder (in Manual sort mode)

Projects Tab:

Shows all projects
View Controls:
- "Show Archived" toggle - View archived projects
- Sort dropdown - Sort projects
Drag-and-drop to reorder projects

Right-Click / Swipe Controls

Document Controls (Right-click or swipe on document):

Mark as Reference / Mark as Normal - Toggle reference status
Archive - Move to archive
Restore (if archived) - Bring back to active list

Project Controls (Right-click or swipe on project):

Edit Name - Rename project
Add Notes - Add project description/notes
Archive - Move project to archive
Delete - Permanently remove project

Mobile Gestures:

Swipe left/right on document or project
Reveals action buttons
Quick access to common operations

Formatting Toolbar (Sliders icon):

Click sliders icon to open formatting toolbar
Text Formatting:
- (( Insert memo
- [[ Insert omit
- B Bold
- I Italic
- >" Blockquote
- [^ Add footnote
- Split button - Opens split panel (split at cursor or at headings)
Page Navigation:
- Navigate between pages/sections
- Jump to specific locations

Three-Dot Menu (Main application menu):

ACTIONS:

Import Files... - Import documents from your device
Export Document(s)... - Export current or selected documents

TOOLS:

Sprint & Stats - Access Sprint Mode and Statistics Panel
Shortcuts - View keyboard shortcuts reference
Quick Tour - Interactive tutorial for new users

SETTINGS:

Theme: Light | Dark | System - Choose appearance
Settings - Configure app preferences
Help & Documentation - Access user guides
About BIAS Writer - Version and app information
Sign Out - Log out of your account

Sprint & Stats

Access: Three-dot menu → "Sprint & Stats"

Opens Sprint & Stats panel with timer and live statistics.

Sprint & Stats Panel:

Controls:

Play button - Start writing session
Reset button - Reset timer to 0:00
Timer button - Set timer duration
Bell button - Timer alarm/notification settings

Timer Display:

Large timer shows: 1:00 (minutes:seconds)
Set duration with input field (e.g., "1 minutes")
Timer counts down or up during writing
Visual notification when countdown timer finishes (no audio alarm)

Live Statistics:

Document icon + number - Current document word count (e.g., 106 words)
Folder icon + number - Total project word count (e.g., 2,063 words)
Updates in real-time as you type

Show word count pill:

Checkbox to enable/disable
When enabled, shows floating word count indicator while writing
Displays progress without opening panel

How to Use:

Timer Countdown:

Click timer button
Enter duration (e.g., 25 minutes for Pomodoro)
Click play to start
Write while timer counts down
Visual notification when time is up (no audio)

Timer Count-Up:

Leave timer at 0:00
Click play to start
Timer counts up to track session length
Monitor how long you've been writing

Track Progress:

Watch document word count grow in real-time
See project total update as you write
Enable word count pill for persistent display
Use timer for focused writing sessions

Use Cases:

Pomodoro Technique: 25-minute focused sessions
Daily Writing Habit: Track time spent writing
Sprint Sessions: Timed writing challenges
Progress Monitoring: Watch word count climb
Distraction-Free: Minimize panel, enable word count pill

Desktop Focus Mode

Purpose: Distraction-free writing by hiding the Library panel

Activate Focus Mode:

Keyboard: Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + L
Click: Chevron button to collapse/expand Library panel

In Focus Mode:

Library panel hidden
Full width for editor
All editing features still available
Formatting toolbar still accessible
Find Panel still works

Exit Focus Mode:

Press Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + L again
Click chevron button to restore Library panel

Use Cases:

Distraction-free writing sessions
Focus on current document only
Maximize screen space for editor
Reduce visual clutter
Pair with Sprint & Stats timer for deep work

Sorting Options

Manual: Drag-and-drop custom order Alphabetical: By document title Created: Newest or oldest first Modified: Recently edited first

Split Document Feature

Break large documents into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Access Split Panel:

Click Split button in formatting toolbar (sliders icon)
Or right-click document → Split
Opens split panel with options

Split Methods:

1. Split at Cursor:

Place cursor where you want to split
Open split panel
Select "Split at Cursor"
Creates two documents at cursor position
Content before cursor → First document
Content after cursor → Second document

2. Split at Headers:

Open split panel
Choose header level (H1, H2, or H3)
Automatically creates one document per header
Each section becomes its own document
Header text becomes document title
Maintains document order

After Splitting:

Choose what to do with original:
- Keep: Original stays in library
- Archive: Original moved to archive
- Delete: Original removed
New documents appear in order after original
All annotations preserved in each section

Example:

Original document: "Novel - Full Draft" (50,000 words)
Split at: H2 headers (## Chapter 1, ## Chapter 2, etc.)
Result: 
- Chapter 1 (document)
- Chapter 2 (document)
- Chapter 3 (document)
...
Original: Archived

Use cases:

Break long manuscripts into chapters
Separate research sections
Divide by topic or theme
Create smaller, focused documents

Viewing Archived Documents

Toggle archived view:

Click "Show Archived" in Library panel
Switches to archived-only view
Find Panel searches only archived documents in this view
Restore documents back to active list
Permanently delete archived documents

Important: When viewing archived documents:

✅ Find Panel searches ONLY archived documents
✅ Active documents are hidden from view
✅ Toggle back to see active documents again
✅ Find Panel automatically switches scope based on view

Project Organization

What is a Project?

A project is a collection of related documents. Think:

Novel: All chapters and notes
Thesis: All sections and research
Blog: All articles in a series
Screenplay: All scenes and treatments

Project Features

Isolated workspaces:

Each project has its own documents
Tags don't cross projects
Separate search scopes
Independent settings

Project actions:

Create unlimited projects
Duplicate entire project (with all documents)
Delete project (removes all documents)
Switch between projects instantly

Best Practices

Keep projects focused: ✅ Good: "Fantasy Novel - Book 1" ❌ Too broad: "All My Writing"

Use projects for versions:

"Novel - First Draft"
"Novel - Second Draft"
"Novel - Editor Version"

Separate reference material:

Main project for manuscript
Reference project for research
Use document types within projects

Export Features

Export Formats

Markdown:

Universal text format
Preserves all syntax
Full annotation fidelity
Re-importable
Compatible with all text editors

PDF:

Paginated output
Print-ready
Locked format
Professional presentation

Selective Export (Key Feature)

Control which annotations appear in exports:

Export dialog options:

☑ Include Memos (default: OFF)
☑ Include Omits (default: OFF)
☑ Include Tags (default: ON)

Example scenarios:

1. Clean manuscript for publisher:

☐ Memos - OFF (remove all notes)
☐ Omits - OFF (remove cut content)
☐ Tags - OFF (remove labels)
Result: Pure text, no annotations

2. Draft for editor with notes:

☑ Memos - ON (show editing notes)
☐ Omits - OFF (hide cuts)
☑ Tags - ON (show scene labels)
Result: Text with your notes visible

3. Review deleted content:

☐ Memos - OFF
☑ Omits - ON (show what was cut)
☐ Tags - OFF
Result: See only omitted content

Keyboard Shortcuts

Global

Action	macOS	Windows/Linux
Open/Close Find Panel	`Cmd + F`	`Ctrl + F`
Add Memo	`Cmd + 9` or `Cmd + 0`	`Ctrl + 9` or `Ctrl + 0`
Add Omit	`Cmd + [` or `Cmd + ]`	`Ctrl + [` or `Ctrl + ]`
Toggle Desktop Focus Mode	`Shift + Cmd + L`	`Shift + Ctrl + L`
Close Panel	`Esc`	`Esc`

Editor

Action	Shortcut
Bold	`Cmd/Ctrl + B`
Italic	`Cmd/Ctrl + I`
Undo	`Cmd/Ctrl + Z`
Redo	`Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z`
Select All	`Cmd/Ctrl + A`

Action	Method
Navigate Results	Click on result
Close Find Panel	`Esc` or `Cmd/Ctrl + F`
Add Memo	`Cmd/Ctrl + 9` or `Cmd/Ctrl + 0`
Add Omit	`Cmd/Ctrl + [` or `Cmd/Ctrl + ]`

Annotation Shortcuts (Future)

Coming soon: Quick insertion of annotation syntax

Use Cases & Workflows

Use Case 1: TODO Item Management

Scenario: You're drafting a novel and need to track research tasks.

Workflow:

While writing, add TODO memos:

The castle ((TODO: research medieval architecture)) loomed ahead.

Continue writing without breaking flow
When ready to research:
- Open Find Panel → Memos mode
- See all memos: 45/45 memos found
- Type "TODO" in filter: 12/45 memos found
- Work through each TODO item
- Update or remove memos as completed

Benefits:

Never lose track of research needs
Continue writing without interruption
Batch research tasks efficiently
Clear visual of progress (X/Y count)

Use Case 2: Revision Tracking

Scenario: Your editor requested changes across multiple chapters.

Workflow:

As you revise, tag affected scenes:

The confrontation scene begins here. #needsrevision #pacing

Add memos for specific notes:

She turned away ((editor note: strengthen her motivation here))

Use omits for cuts:

The dialogue continued [[with excessive back-and-forth]] briefly.

Review progress:
- Tags mode → Click #needsrevision
- See all flagged scenes
- Check off completed revisions
- Remove tags when done

Benefits:

Visual tracking of revision status
Editor notes preserved inline
Easy to find what needs work
Cut content saved for reference

Use Case 3: Theme Analysis

Scenario: You want to track themes across your novel.

Workflow:

Tag thematically significant passages:

The butterfly imagery returns. #redemption #transformation

Another reference to water. #purification #rebirth

Analyze distribution:
- Tags mode → View all theme tags
- Click #redemption → See 23 instances
- Click #transformation → See 18 instances
- Note which chapters lack theme development
Balance themes:
- Identify chapters without key themes
- Add thematic elements where needed
- Ensure even distribution across acts

Benefits:

Visual map of theme distribution
Identify gaps in thematic development
Balance across narrative structure
Track multiple themes simultaneously

Use Case 4: Multi-Version Management

Scenario: You're writing alternative versions of a scene.

Workflow:

Write primary version normally

Add alternative in omits:

She reached for the door. [[Alternative: She hesitated, then reached for the door, her hand trembling.]]

Keep both versions:
- Main text is primary version
- Omit contains alternative
- Toggle omit elision to preview each
Decision time:
- Review all alternatives in Omits mode
- Promote alternatives by moving out of [[]]
- Delete unused versions

Benefits:

Both versions preserved
Easy A/B comparison
No separate files needed
Quick switching between versions

Use Case 5: Collaborative Feedback

Scenario: Multiple beta readers are giving feedback.

Workflow:

Tag feedback by reader:

This metaphor is confusing. ((Sarah: simplify)) #feedback-sarah

Love this scene! ((Mike: keep this tone)) #feedback-mike

Organize feedback:
- Tags mode → See all readers' tags
- Click #feedback-sarah → Sarah's comments
- Click #feedback-mike → Mike's comments
- Address feedback systematically
Track implementation:
- Add #implemented tag when addressed
- Filter memos to find unaddressed notes
- Remove memos when complete

Benefits:

Feedback organized by source
Easy to address one reader at a time
Track implementation progress
Nothing gets lost

Use Case 6: Breaking Up Large Manuscripts

Scenario: You've drafted your entire novel in one document (80,000 words) and need to split it into chapters.

Workflow:

Add H2 headers for each chapter:

## Chapter 1: The Beginning
[chapter content]

## Chapter 2: The Journey
[chapter content]

## Chapter 3: The Conflict
[chapter content]

Use Split Document feature:
- Click Split button in formatting toolbar
- Select "Split at H2 headers"
- Choose "Archive original"
- Confirm split
Result:
- 20 individual chapter documents created
- Each titled from its header
- Original archived for backup
- All annotations preserved in their chapters
Benefits:
- Easier to navigate specific chapters
- Faster Find Panel searches (smaller scope)
- Can reorder chapters via drag-and-drop
- Can work on chapters independently

Benefits:

Transform monolithic document into organized structure
Maintain all content and annotations
Improve performance and usability
Keep original as backup

Use Case 7: Starting a New Draft Version

Scenario: You've finished your first draft and want to start a second draft while preserving the original.

Workflow:

Enter Selection Mode in Library panel
Select all documents you want to revise:
- Click "Select All" for entire manuscript
- Or select specific chapters/sections
Use "Duplicate + Archive":
- Click "Duplicate + Archive" button
- System creates duplicates of all selected documents
- Original documents automatically archived
- New documents appear in library
Tag new draft version:
- With documents still selected (or select again)
- Click "Bulk Tag" button
- Add tags: #draft2 #2025-revision
- All new documents tagged
Begin revision work:
- Work on new documents freely
- Original draft safely archived
- Access archive anytime to reference original

Benefits:

One-click creation of new draft version
Originals preserved and accessible
Clear version separation with tags
No manual copying needed
Perfect for major revisions

Alternative workflow - Per Chapter:

Select just chapters needing heavy revision
Duplicate + Archive those
Keep other chapters as active documents
Mix old and new draft in one project

Use Case 8: Daily Writing Sessions with Timer

Scenario: You want to build a consistent daily writing habit with timed sessions.

Workflow:

Open your current chapter/document
Open Sprint & Stats:
- Click three-dot menu → "Sprint & Stats"
- Panel opens with timer and stats
Set up timer session:
- Option A - Pomodoro (25 minutes):
  - Click timer button
  - Enter "25 minutes"
  - Click play button
  - Write until timer visual notification appears
- Option B - Track time (count up):
  - Leave timer at 0:00
  - Click play button
  - Timer counts up to show session length
Write and monitor progress:
- Watch document word count update in real-time
- See project total climb as you write
- Enable "Show word count pill" for persistent display
- Focus on writing, not checking stats
Complete session:
- Visual notification appears (countdown mode)
- Or stop timer when done (count-up mode)
- Review final word counts
- Note session length for tracking
Build consistency:
- Repeat daily at same time
- Track total words per session
- Use timer to maintain focus
- Build writing momentum

Benefits:

Timer creates focused writing blocks
No distractions from word count goals
Real-time stats show actual progress
Simple: just write and watch the timer
Flexible: countdown or count-up modes
Word count pill keeps you motivated

Session Types:

Quick Sprint: 10-15 minutes, warm up
Pomodoro: 25 minutes, take 5-minute break
Deep Work: 45-60 minutes, longer session
Track & Flow: No timer, just watch time count up

Markdown Guide

BIAS Writer is a markdown editor. Here's a complete guide to markdown syntax.

Headings

# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3
#### Heading 4
##### Heading 5
###### Heading 6

Use headings to:

Structure your document
Create a table of contents
Organize chapters and sections

Text Formatting

Bold:

**bold text** or __bold text__

Italic:

*italic text* or _italic text_

Bold and italic:

***bold and italic***

Lists

Unordered:

- Item 1
- Item 2
  - Nested item
- Item 3

Ordered:

1. First item
2. Second item
   1. Nested item

Task lists:

- [ ] Unchecked
- [x] Checked

Links & Images

Link:

[Link text](https://example.com)

Image:

![Alt text](image.jpg)

Auto-link:

<https://example.com>

Blockquotes

> This is a quote
>> Nested quote

Code

Inline:

Use `code` for inline code

Block:

```javascript
function hello() {
  console.log("Hello!");
}
```

Horizontal Rules

---
***
___

Tables

| Header 1 | Header 2 |
|----------|----------|
| Cell 1   | Cell 2   |

Alignment:

:--- Left
:---: Center
---: Right

Escaping

Use \ to escape special characters:

\* \# \[ \] \( \)

BIAS Writer Annotations

Memos:

((private note))

Yellow highlight, for TODOs and notes

Omits:

[[content to exclude]]

Dimmed with strikethrough, for cuts

Tags:

#tag #another-tag

Blue styling, for organization

Quick Reference

# H1                 ## H2                ### H3
**bold**             *italic*             ~~strike~~
`code`               [link](url)          ![img](url)
> quote              

- list               1. ordered           - [ ] task
---                  ((memo))             [[omit]]
#tag                 

| table |
|-------|

Tips & Best Practices

Annotation Best Practices

Keep memos concise:

✅ Good: ((TODO: verify date))
❌ Too long: ((I need to check this date because I'm not sure if it's...))

Use tags consistently:

✅ Good: #characterdev, #character-dev (pick one format)
❌ Inconsistent: #characterdev, #character_development, #chardev

Omits are for keeping, not discarding:

✅ Good use: [[detailed description I might restore]]
❌ Bad use: [[sdfjklsdjf keyboard mashing]]

Workflow Tips

1. Tag early, tag often

Tag scenes as you write them
Don't wait until revision
Makes finding content effortless

2. Use memo TODOs liberally

Don't break writing flow to research
Add ((TODO: research X)) and continue
Batch research tasks later

3. Preserve your darlings

Before cutting beloved passages, wrap in [[]]
You might find a place for them later
Avoids regret and loss

4. Create a tagging system

Character tags: #Alice, #Bob
Plot tags: #act1, #climax, #resolution
Status tags: #needswork, #done, #review
Location tags: #castle, #village

5. Review counts regularly

High memo count? Time to address TODOs
High omit count? Time to commit to cuts
Uneven tag distribution? Balance needed

6. Use Duplicate + Archive for major revisions

Select all documents (or chapters needing heavy revision)
Click "Duplicate + Archive"
Get fresh copies, originals safely preserved
Tag new version: #draft2 #revision-2025

7. Bulk tag for organization

Select related documents in Selection Mode
Add status tags: #completed, #in-progress
Add version tags: #draft1, #draft2
Makes filtering and tracking easy

8. Merge related documents

Short chapters? Merge into longer sections
Research notes? Combine into reference document
Use merge dialog to control order

9. Use Sprint & Stats for focused sessions

Set timer for focused writing (25 min Pomodoro)
Track time with count-up timer
Enable word count pill for motivation
Build consistent daily habits

10. Monitor stats regularly

Check word count progress
Review annotation counts (too many TODOs?)
Track reading time estimates
Use project stats to see big picture

11. Use Desktop Focus Mode for distraction-free writing

Press Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + L to hide Library panel
Pair with Sprint & Stats timer
Full editor width for immersive writing
Toggle back when you need to navigate documents

Search Tips

Memos Mode:

Leave filter empty to see all memos
Use keywords like "TODO", "VERIFY", "FIX"
Review by document to see context

Omits Mode:

Filter by chapter numbers
Find similar cuts across manuscript
Toggle elision to preview final version

Tags Mode:

Click tags to see distribution
Identify underused tags
Find scenes by multiple characteristics

Performance Tips

Keep documents manageable:

Use Split Document feature for very long documents (>50,000 words)
One chapter per document works well
Improves search performance
Easier to navigate and organize

Clean up old annotations:

Remove resolved TODO memos
Delete unnecessary omits
Archive tags no longer needed

Use projects to organize:

Don't put everything in one project
Separate drafts, notes, and reference
Faster search within focused scope

Getting Help

Common Questions

Q: Can I use nested annotations? A: Yes! You can nest annotations like ((memo with [[omit]] inside)). The editor will highlight both annotation types correctly.

Q: Do annotations count toward word count? A: No. Word count excludes all annotation syntax.

Q: Can I control which annotations appear in exports? A: Yes! You can choose to include or exclude each annotation type (memos, omits, tags) in your exports. However, you cannot export ONLY annotations without the main text - annotations are always exported alongside your content.

Q: Do archived documents appear in Find Panel searches? A: It depends on your current view. When "Show Archived" is ON, Find Panel searches ONLY archived documents. When OFF, it searches only active documents. The search scope automatically matches your current view.

Q: What's the difference between Reference and Archived documents? A: Reference documents are active documents marked for research/background (colored dot, watermark, blue line in editor). Archived documents are in a separate view and only searchable when "Show Archived" is toggled on. Reference = organizational label; Archived = separate view.

Q: How many documents can I have? A: No limit. Performance stays good up to 1000+ documents per project.

Q: Can I search across projects? A: Not currently. Search is per-project. Use tags consistently across projects as a workaround.

Q: What does "Duplicate + Archive" do? A: It creates duplicates of all selected documents and automatically archives the originals. Perfect for starting a new draft version while preserving the original. This is a bulk operation available in Selection Mode.

Q: How do I select multiple documents? A: Click the selection icon in the Library panel to enter Selection Mode. Checkboxes will appear next to all documents. Click to select/deselect, or use "Select All" button.

Q: Can I undo a bulk delete? A: No. Bulk delete is permanent and cannot be undone. Always double-check your selection before deleting. Consider archiving instead if you might need the documents later.

Q: How do I mark a document as reference? A: Right-click (or swipe on mobile) on the document in the Library panel and select "Mark as Reference". Reference documents show a colored dot indicator, watermark overlay, and blue line in the editor.

Q: What is Sprint & Stats? A: Sprint & Stats is a panel that combines a writing timer with real-time word count statistics. Set a timer (countdown or count-up), write, and watch your document and project word counts update live. Enable the word count pill for a persistent display while writing.

Q: Can I set word count goals in Sprint & Stats? A: No. Sprint & Stats focuses on time-based sessions and real-time word count tracking. You set a timer and write - the stats show your progress naturally without predefined goals.

Q: Do stats update in real-time? A: Yes! Word counts, character counts, and annotation counts update as you type. No need to refresh or save - stats are always current.

Q: Can I see stats for my entire project? A: Yes. The Stats panel shows both document-level stats (current document) and project-level stats (all documents combined, including total words, documents, and annotations).

Q: What is Desktop Focus Mode? A: Desktop Focus Mode hides the Library panel to give you full-width editor space for distraction-free writing. Toggle it with Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + L or click the chevron button.

Q: How do I get the Library panel back after hiding it? A: Press Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + L again, or click the chevron button at the edge of the screen to restore the Library panel.

Troubleshooting

Annotations not highlighting:

Check if syntax is correct: ((text)), [[text]], #tag
Ensure no spaces: ( (text) ) won't work
Refresh the editor if needed

Search not finding results:

Check which mode you're in (Search, Memos, Omits, Tags)
Verify documents are in active project
Check your view: "Show Archived" ON searches only archived docs; OFF searches only active docs
Try clearing filter and searching again

Document seems missing:

Check if it's archived (toggle "Show Archived" to switch views)
Verify you're in the correct project
Check if document was accidentally deleted

Can't find annotation in search:

Verify the document containing it is in your current view (active vs. archived)
Check spelling in filter text
Try the relevant mode (Memos, Omits, Tags) instead of Search

Export missing annotations:

Check export dialog settings
Ensure annotation types are toggled on
Try different export format

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference Card

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         BIAS WRITER SHORTCUTS           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ GLOBAL                                  │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + F     Toggle Find Panel     │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + 9/0   Add Memo              │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + [/]   Add Omit              │
│  Shift+Cmd/Ctrl+L Toggle Focus Mode     │
│  Esc              Close Panel           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ EDITOR                                  │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + B     Bold                  │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + I     Italic                │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + Z     Undo                  │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + Y     Redo                  │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ FIND PANEL                              │
│  Click            Navigate to Result    │
│  Esc              Close Panel           │
│  Cmd/Ctrl + F     Toggle Panel          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Version History

v1.0 (December 2024)

Initial release
Two-stage filtering system
Three annotation types
Multi-mode Find Panel
Project organization
Export functionality

About BIAS Writer

BIAS Writer is a professional markdown editor developed by BIAS LLC, featuring patent-pending annotation management technology.

Patent-Pending Technology

BIAS Writer's two-stage hierarchical content filtering system is protected by U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/949,099, filed December 26, 2024.

This innovative search and filtering approach provides significant advantages over traditional search methods. The X/Y count format, categorical filtering, and lexical refinement work together to create an intuitive, powerful annotation management system.

Resources

User Guide: https://help.bias.pub
Video Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/@BIASLLCApps
Support: support@bias.pub
General Inquiries: info@bias.pub

Technical Documentation

Detailed technical architecture and patent information are available upon request for licensing or partnership inquiries. Contact info@bias.pub.

BIAS Writer - User Features Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

What Makes BIAS Writer Different?

Key Features at a Glance

Core Concepts

What are Annotations?

The Three Annotation Types

Annotation Syntax

Memos

Omits

Tags

The Find Panel

Opening the Find Panel

Four Modes

1. Search Mode

2. Memos Mode (Two-Stage Filtering)

3. Omits Mode (Two-Stage Filtering)

4. Tags Mode (Aggregation)

Two-Stage Filtering (Patent-Pending)

The Innovation

Why It Matters

The X/Y Count Format

Document Management

Creating Documents

Document Types

Document Operations

Selection Mode & Bulk Operations

Library Panel Organization

Right-Click / Swipe Controls

Toolbar & Menu System

Sprint & Stats

Desktop Focus Mode

Sorting Options

Split Document Feature

Viewing Archived Documents

Project Organization

What is a Project?

Project Features

Best Practices

Export Features

Export Formats

Selective Export (Key Feature)

Keyboard Shortcuts

Global

Editor

Find Panel Navigation

Annotation Shortcuts (Future)

Use Cases & Workflows

Use Case 1: TODO Item Management

Use Case 2: Revision Tracking

Use Case 3: Theme Analysis

Use Case 4: Multi-Version Management

Use Case 5: Collaborative Feedback

Use Case 6: Breaking Up Large Manuscripts

Use Case 7: Starting a New Draft Version

Use Case 8: Daily Writing Sessions with Timer

Markdown Guide

Headings

Text Formatting

Lists

Links & Images

Blockquotes

Code

Horizontal Rules

Tables

Escaping

BIAS Writer Annotations

Quick Reference

Tips & Best Practices

Annotation Best Practices

Workflow Tips

Search Tips

Performance Tips

Getting Help

Common Questions

Troubleshooting

Keyboard Shortcuts Reference Card

Version History

About BIAS Writer