> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.withamber.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Write with Amber

> Sharpen your craft with Amber, the creative writing companion for writers

<Note>
  Requires macOS 14 or newer.
</Note>

<div className="flex justify-center">
  <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8QjcwY7Q4dE" title="Getting Started with Amber" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen />
</div>

## Key Features

Amber includes powerful features to enhance your writing:

* **Open File Format**: Your work is now stored as markdown and JSON (no proprietary format). [Learn about file format →](/user-guides/file-format)
* **Voice Recording**: Record and transcribe directly into your sections. [Learn about voice recording →](/user-guides/voice-recording)
* **amber.md Steering File**: Control AI behavior with markdown instructions instead of menus. [Learn about steering your Copilot →](/user-guides/amber-copilot#steering-your-copilot)
* **Sources & Smart Context**: Provide detailed reference material and let AI intelligently select what's relevant. [Learn about sources →](/user-guides/amber-copilot#using-sources-as-context)
* **AI Editing with Diffs**: See exactly what will change before accepting edits. [Learn about Copilot →](/user-guides/amber-copilot)
* **Enhanced Chat**: Use `⌘L` to chat about selected text with smart context selection.

## Open a workspace

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/ui/amber-workspace-launcher.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=d5c300bab7afd3efefa53f48bc3f04f9" alt="Amber's workspace launcher showing new workspace, open, and import options" width="883" height="681" data-path="assets/images/ui/amber-workspace-launcher.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Amber on your Mac">
    Launch the application from your Applications folder or Spotlight search
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose from three options">
    * Create new workspace with `⌘ + ⇧ + N`
    * Open existing workspace with `⌘ + O`
    * Import .docx or .md files
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start writing">
    Your new writing space will open automatically
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Start writing

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/screenshots/amber-writing-space.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=d79ac2f489d8ed53e409541b0297fd42" alt="Amber's main writing interface showing the editor and AI companion" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/screenshots/amber-writing-space.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Familiarize yourself with the panels">
    * **Left**: Your sections (chapters, scenes, or organization)
    * **Center**: Your infinite writing canvas
    * **Right**: Your AI companion and notes
  </Step>

  <Step title="Learn the panel controls">
    * Show/hide left panel: `⌘ + ⌥ + 2`
    * Show/hide right panel: `⌘ + ⌥ + 3`
    * Enter full screen: `⌘ + ⌥ + 4`
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Reference Notes & Sources

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/ui/amber-reference-notes.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=8282902ae1550dc9ee2bfe3c4286c09a" alt="Reference notes panel showing section and workspace notes" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/ui/amber-reference-notes.png" />
</Frame>

Amber provides two types of reference material:

**Notes** - Quick reference facts and ideas

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose your note type">
    * Section Notes for chapter-specific details
    * Workspace Notes for story-wide reference
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create and manage notes">
    * Add new notes from the panel
    * Create notes from AI suggestions
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access anywhere">
    Your notes are always available throughout your workspace
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Sources** - Detailed reference material with smart AI context selection

* Store detailed character backstories, world-building documents, research material
* AI uses vector embeddings to intelligently select relevant sources
* Perfect for complex projects with rich reference material
* [Learn more about sources →](/user-guides/amber-copilot#using-sources-as-context)

<Tip>
  Use **Notes** for quick facts ("Elena is afraid of water") and **Sources** for detailed material (Elena's full backstory and trauma history).
</Tip>

## Amber Copilot (AI Chat & Editing)

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/features/amber-assist.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=e8e1110fd1aa63af13d8b513a99a43bf" alt="Amber's AI assistant interface" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/features/amber-assist.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Quick Chat on Selected Text">
    Press `⌘L` to instantly chat about any selected passage:

    * Ask for suggestions on a specific sentence
    * Request edits with visual diffs
    * Get feedback on selected text
    * All context-aware based on your selection
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start a full chat conversation">
    Click the + button to begin a comprehensive conversation about your project:

    * Writer's block solutions
    * Story questions answered
    * Section ideas generated
    * Research assistance
    * Full workspace context available
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add as a new section or reference note">
    * Insert as a new section or reference note

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/features/amber-assist-response-insert-new-section.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=a2e98d3a43d8e49b9cc0b584238c20a5" alt="Creating a new section from AI suggestions" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/features/amber-assist-response-insert-new-section.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Formatting

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/ui/amber-formatting-bar.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=87634652573f3d9ef954eb21b0d759e3" alt="Amber's rich text formatting bar with styling options" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/ui/amber-formatting-bar.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Text Styling">
    * Heading 1 `⌘ + 1`
    * Heading 2 `⌘ + 2`
    * Heading 3 `⌘ + 3`
    * Paragraph `⌘ + /`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Quick Formatting">
    * Bold `⌘ + B`
    * Italic `⌘ + I`
    * Underline `⌘ + U`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Links">
    * `⌘` + `⇧` + `3` to insert links
    * Link to sections or external resources
    * [Learn about internal linking](/user-guides/internal-linking)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Text Alignment">
    * Left, center, right or justify align
    * Perfect for headings and quotes
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Navigator

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/ui/amber-navigator.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=d56b618bd315684e5182fc7997c3fe3e" alt="Amber's command center - the Navigator" width="713" height="413" data-path="assets/images/ui/amber-navigator.png" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Navigator">
    Press `⌘ + K` to access your command center
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access document management">
    * Create new sections
    * Toggle notes visibility
    * Rename or delete sections
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure settings and AI">
    * Switch between AI models
    * Update writing context
    * Adjust preferences
  </Step>
</Steps>

💡 Pro tip: Just start typing to filter commands - the Navigator learns your most-used commands over time!

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/ui/amber-navigator-filter.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=9153f98b04f7c2331640ef77c462db43" alt="Filtering commands in the Navigator" width="713" height="413" data-path="assets/images/ui/amber-navigator-filter.png" />
</Frame>

## Setting context

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add custom context details">
    Share relevant background from your story:

    * Previous sections' key events
    * Character details for this scene
    * World-building elements that matter here
    * Specific goals for this section

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/ui/amber-custom-context.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=67c30e308a3b24c887e8c84b5e54f0ba" alt="Setting custom context for your writing" width="725" height="431" data-path="assets/images/ui/amber-custom-context.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set quick context options">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/ui/amber-context-options.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=59fae3cce57b8934280077801a17c917" alt="Quick context options for common writing scenarios" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/ui/amber-context-options.png" />
    </Frame>

    Help Amber understand the current section you're working on:

    * Genre of your current chapter/scene
    * Style you're aiming for in this section
    * Target audience for this piece
    * Current writing stage (draft, revision, etc.)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Work with contextual suggestions">
    Amber uses your section's context to provide relevant help:

    * Copy suggestions that fit your scene
    * Create new related sections
    * Add reference notes with key details
    * Save ideas for later sections

    <div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 gap-4">
      <Frame>
        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/features/amber-assist-response-copy-to-clipboard.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=12f0f800301a5c6b34029254469ccd45" alt="Copy AI suggestions to clipboard" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/features/amber-assist-response-copy-to-clipboard.png" />
      </Frame>

      <Frame>
        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/amber-1f7703f3/mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0/assets/images/features/amber-assist-response-insert-reference-note.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=mhK3O5CgIB_7g-H0&q=85&s=ad91fb7195cbdb738aefbb2d53c150a2" alt="Create reference notes from AI responses" width="1423" height="1023" data-path="assets/images/features/amber-assist-response-insert-reference-note.png" />
      </Frame>
    </div>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **You are the writer and world builder. Amber is your tool.** Every feature—from voice recording to AI assistance—exists to help YOU create. Your words, your IP, your creative authority. Amber never writes for you, never pushes AI features, never gets in your way. Just a clean workspace that respects your craft.
</Tip>

<Note>
  Need help?

  * Email us at [support@withamber.com](mailto:support@withamber.com)
  * Ask the community [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/writewithAmber/)
  * Make a feature request [here](https://withamber.com/feedback)
  * Make a bug report [here](https://forms.fillout.com/t/7PPzDbBkkjus)
</Note>