Welcome

Welcome Screen

When you open Radial Timeline in an empty vault (or a vault with no scenes configured), a Welcome Screen greets you with a quick-start guide to get you up and running fast.

Welcome screen — quick-start guide for new vaults

From Zero to Timeline

The Welcome Screen walks you through the essentials:

1. Set your source path — Point Radial Timeline at the folder containing (or that will contain) your manuscript scene files. You can do this from Settings → Core → General → Source path, or the Welcome Screen will prompt you.

2. Create scenes — You have two paths:

   • Book Designer — Generate a complete manuscript scaffold with acts, subplots, characters, and optional beat notes in one click. This is the fastest way to see Radial Timeline in action.
   • Manual — Use the command palette (Cmd/Ctrl + P) → Radial Timeline: Create basic scene note or Create advanced scene note to add scenes one at a time.

3. Explore modes — Once you have scenes, switch between the four View Modes using keyboard shortcuts 1 through 4 to see your story from different angles.

Next Steps

• Core Workflows — Learn how to plan, write, and track your novel.
• How-to — Reorder scenes, manage subplots, search, and rotate the timeline.
• YAML Frontmatter — Understand the metadata that powers your timeline.
• Commands — Full command palette reference.