Support

Short answers for getting started, activating your license, setting up AI, and fixing the usual problems. If you are stuck, email support@sheafpress.com.

Getting started

1. Install. Download Sheafpress and run the installer.
2. Bring in your book. On the welcome screen choose Import a manuscript (.docx, Markdown or plain text), Start a blank book, or explore the sample.
3. Fill the story bible. In the Write tab's right panel, open Bible to add characters, places, events and facts. You can import them from a file too.
4. Edit, format, design, export. Work left to right across the tabs: Write, Edit, Format, Cover, Export. Press Ctrl+K for the command palette.

Buy and activate a license

1. Buy a license. You will receive a key that starts with SHEAF-.
2. In Sheafpress open Settings (Ctrl+,), paste the key into the License box and click Activate.
3. That is it. Activation works offline and sends nothing anywhere.

Your license covers computers you own or control. To move to a new computer, install Sheafpress there and paste the same key. Lost your key? Email us from the address you bought with.

Set up AI (optional)

Sheafpress works fully without AI. The AI buttons (continuity check, ask your references, pull entries from a document) need your own key from a provider. Open Settings, choose a provider, enter the model and key, and click Save. Your key is stored encrypted on your computer. Nothing is sent until you click an AI button.

Provider	What to enter
Anthropic (Claude)	An API key from console.anthropic.com. If Anthropic says your key "is not scoped to a workspace," enter the Workspace ID (from the console's Workspaces page, usually starting wrkspc_). API use needs credit on your Anthropic account; a chat subscription does not include it.
OpenAI	An API key from platform.openai.com and a model name your account can use.
Google Gemini	An API key from Google AI Studio and a Gemini model name.
OpenAI-compatible	The endpoint URL (for example https://openrouter.ai/api/v1, or http://localhost:11434/v1 for Ollama), a model name, and a key if the service needs one. Plain http:// is allowed only for localhost, so keys are never sent unencrypted over a network.

The editing pass

The Edit tab flags only what is likely to need a change. Use the controls to tune it:

• Sensitivity. Strict flags more, Balanced is recommended, Light flags only the clearest problems.
• Dismiss hides one finding. Ignore everywhere stops that exact text from being flagged again in this book. Reset ignored brings them back.
• Names. Names and places that are missing from your story bible are never counted as errors. The Names tab lists them so you can add them as characters or places, or ignore them.
• Continuity findings come from your bible: a fact mentioned before the chapter where you set its reveal, a character saying something your Who-knows grid says they don't know, or a name that looks misspelled. Fill in the Who-knows grid and fact keywords to get more from it.

Your files and backups

• Sheafpress autosaves to %APPDATA%\Sheafpress and keeps a rolling backup (project.bak.json).
• File, Save project writes a .sheafpress file you can keep anywhere. Double-click it to open. This stays free after the trial.
• Projects from earlier versions (.leafwright, .inkbound and .quire) still open.
• Uninstalling does not delete your books. To remove everything, delete the folder above.

Troubleshooting

Windows says "Windows protected your PC"

This appears for new apps that have not built up a reputation. Choose More info, then Run anyway. See the download page for the file checksum.

Export says my trial has ended

During the trial only DOCX manuscript and ACX script exports are included, and after the 14 days all exports except your .sheafpress backup and story bible need a license. Open Settings and activate your key. Your books and .sheafpress saves are never locked.

The AI says "returned an error (400)"

Sheafpress shows the provider's own explanation after the number. The usual causes are a low credit balance (add credit with the provider), a model name your account cannot use (change it in Settings), or, for Anthropic, a key that needs a Workspace ID.

The AI says "reply could not be read"

The model's answer was not in the expected format or was cut off. Try again, use a shorter file, or choose a more capable model in Settings.

Proof or print PDF opens a print dialog

Sheafpress prints through Windows. In the dialog choose Save as PDF (or "Microsoft Print to PDF") as the printer.

A finding in the Edit tab looks wrong

Click Ignore everywhere to silence it, or switch to Light sensitivity. If you think the rule itself is mistaken, email us the finding and the sentence and we will look at it.

My cover spine has no title

Spine text is only printed when the spine is at least 0.25 in thick (about 100 pages on cream paper), as printers require. Check the page count and paper in the Format tab.

Contact

Email support@sheafpress.com. Please include your Sheafpress version (Settings, top of the dialog) and what you were doing.