Get organized in minutes
1) Open panel
Resize to fit your screen; choose your sections.
2) Jump between sections
Outline, notes, worldbuilding, feedback—one click.
3) Enable two-column
View two sections side-by-side when panel is wide enough.
4) Smart surfacing
Referenced elements surface as you write.
5) Pin elements
Manually pin important references to keep them visible.
Most writing tools hide your notes behind tabs, panels, or separate documents.
Writing Crucible keeps them visible while you write—because context loss kills momentum.
What you get today
- Four sections. Author notes, chapter outline, worldbuilding, beta feedback.
- Two-column mode. View two sections side-by-side when panel is wide.
- Resizable panel. Drag to adjust width; layout adapts automatically.
- Smart surfacing. Referenced elements surface as you write.
- Manual pinning. Pin any element to keep it visible in the panel.
- All tiers. Notes Panel included; free tier available.
All your notes, outlines, and feedback—visible while you write.
Everything You Need, Right Where You Write
The Advanced Notes Panel keeps your critical references visible while you write. Your outline, worldbuilding elements, beta reader feedback, and notes are always one click away—no tab switching, no lost context. Resize the panel, view two sections at once, and pin what matters so your workflow stays uninterrupted.
Four Sections, One Panel
Four core sections live in a single panel—always accessible, always in context. Switch between Author Notes, Chapter Outline, Worldbuilding Elements, and Beta Reader Feedback with a single click.
Switch between sections instantly to access outlines, worldbuilding, feedback, and notes without leaving your editor.
Powerful Features for Organized Writing
Author Notes
Keep your personal notes, reminders, and ideas organized per chapter. Add notes as you write, reference them instantly, and never lose track of important thoughts or plot points.
- Chapter-specific notes
- Quick reference while writing
- Never lose important ideas
Chapter Outline
View your chapter's synopsis, key plot points, character arcs, themes, and other structured outline information. Organized in collapsible sections for quick navigation.
- Synopsis and plot points
- Character arcs and development
- Collapsible sections
- Edit outline directly
Worldbuilding Elements
Referenced worldbuilding elements surface as you write, or manually pin elements you want to reference. View element cards with all their details, relationships, and version-specific information.
- Smart element surfacing
- Manual pinning for reference
- View element cards and details
- Version-aware for your current chapter
Beta Reader Feedback
See all beta reader feedback for the current chapter, organized by reader. View ratings, read responses to your custom feedback questions, and see what readers think—all without leaving your editor.
- Feedback organized by reader
- View ratings and responses
- See feedback while writing
- No context switching required
Two-Column Mode
When the panel is wide enough, enable two-column mode to view two sections side-by-side. Perfect for viewing your outline alongside worldbuilding elements, or notes alongside feedback.
- View two sections simultaneously
- Choose which sections to display
- Automatic layout adjustment
- Maximize your workspace
Fully Resizable
Drag the left edge of the panel to resize it to your preference. The panel automatically adjusts its layout based on width, enabling two-column mode when there's enough space.
- Drag to resize width
- Automatic layout optimization
- Fits your screen size
- Remembers your preference
View Two Sections at Once
View your chapter outline alongside worldbuilding elements, or author notes alongside beta reader feedback. The panel automatically enables two-column mode when there's enough width—choose which sections appear in each column.
Maximize your productivity by viewing multiple sections at once—perfect for complex writing projects.
Smart Worldbuilding Detection
The Notes Panel scans your chapter for references to worldbuilding elements. When it finds mentions—by title or tags—it surfaces them automatically. Manually pin elements, search through all available elements, and view detailed cards with relationships and version-specific information.
Never lose track of your worldbuilding—elements are automatically detected and pinned as you write.
Streamline Your Writing Workflow
Always Visible
Keep your notes, outlines, and references visible while you write. No more switching tabs or losing your place in your manuscript.
Smart Surfacing
Referenced elements surface as you write. Focus on writing, not searching for references.
Flexible Layout
Resize the panel, enable two-column mode, and customize which sections you see. The panel adapts to your workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Advanced Notes Panel?
The Advanced Notes Panel is a comprehensive sidebar in Writing Crucible that keeps all your important notes, outlines, worldbuilding elements, and beta reader feedback visible while you write. It features four main sections: Author Notes, Chapter Outline, Worldbuilding Elements, and Beta Reader Feedback, all accessible through an intuitive tab interface.
Can I view multiple sections at once?
Yes! When the panel is wide enough, you can enable two-column mode to view two sections side-by-side. This is perfect for viewing your chapter outline alongside worldbuilding elements, or author notes alongside beta reader feedback. The panel is fully resizable to fit your workflow.
How does worldbuilding smart surfacing work?
The Notes Panel scans your chapter content for references to worldbuilding elements. When it finds elements mentioned in your text (by title or tags), it surfaces them in the Worldbuilding section for easy reference. You can also manually pin elements you want to keep visible.
What information appears in the Chapter Outline section?
The Chapter Outline section displays your chapter's synopsis, key plot points, character arcs, themes, and other structured outline information. It's organized in collapsible sections so you can quickly find what you need without leaving your writing flow.
Can I see beta reader feedback in the Notes Panel?
Yes! All beta reader feedback for the current chapter appears in the Beta Feedback section. You can see feedback organized by reader, view ratings, and read responses to your custom feedback questions—all without switching away from your editor.
Is the Notes Panel resizable?
Absolutely! The Notes Panel is fully resizable. Drag the left edge to adjust the width to your preference. The panel automatically adjusts its layout based on width, enabling two-column mode when there's enough space.
Who It’s For
Drafting authors
Writers who need outlines, world notes, and beta feedback in view while typing.
Revision passes
Authors cleaning chapters with side-by-side notes, feedback, and references.
Collab teams
Editors and co-authors who need pinned context and live feedback threads.
Why Switch to Writing Crucible
Compared to toggling tabs
- Keep outline, world notes, and beta feedback visible while you write.
- Surfaces world mentions; pins what matters for the chapter.
- Two-column mode + resizable panel to fit your workflow.
Compared to generic sidebars
- Built for authors: chapter-aware, version-aware, feedback-aware.
- Integrated with worldbuilding and beta reader feedback out of the box.
- No extra setup—works with your manuscript immediately.
Ready to Organize Your Writing?
Start using the Advanced Notes Panel today. Keep your outlines, worldbuilding, feedback, and notes always visible while you write.