ForgePad Support

Basics

Getting Started

Open ForgePad and create a new script. The main tabs are Title Page, Script, Info, Beat Sheet, Dialogue Lab, Table Reads, Reports, and Progress. The Script tab is the main writing workspace.

Use the element picker to choose screenplay block types:

Scene HeadingActionCharacterParentheticalDialogueTransitionShot

Press Return to keep writing. ForgePad automatically moves through common screenplay flow, such as Character to Dialogue, Dialogue to Action, Transition to Scene Heading, and Scene Heading to Action.

Use the left sidebar to browse scripts, scenes, characters, and locations. Use the right inspector for notes, scene tools, AI reports, table reads, revision tools, and cards.

Drafting

Writing and Formatting

ForgePad formats screenplay blocks by element type. Scene headings, character names, transitions, and shots render uppercase. Dialogue, action, and parentheticals keep normal text casing.

ForgePad includes autocomplete-style suggestions for scene headings, locations, scene times, character names, character extensions like V.O. or O.S., and transitions. Use Find and Replace for search and replacement, Focus Mode to reduce interface clutter, and Script Zoom to adjust the editor view.

Settings > Formatting

Appearance
Scene numbers
Page numbers
Scene jump offset
Page margins
Dialogue, parenthetical, and character indentation
Reset to industry-standard layout

Reference

Keyboard Shortcuts

ForgePad keyboard shortcuts
Command	Shortcut
New Script	`Command-N`
Open Script	`Command-O`
Import Script	`Shift-Command-O`
New Tab	`Command-T`
Save	`Command-S`
Save As	`Shift-Command-S`
Print	`Command-P`
Export	`Shift-Command-E`
Find and Replace	`Command-F`
Toggle Sidebar	`Option-Command-S`
Create Character Card	`Option-Command-K`
Create Location Card	`Option-Command-L`
Start Sprint	`Option-Command-R`
Pause or Resume Sprint	`Option-Command-P`
End Sprint	`Option-Command-.`
Undo	`Command-Z`
Redo	`Shift-Command-Z`
Cut, Copy, Paste, Select All	`standard macOS shortcuts`

Files

Importing Scripts

ForgePad can import:

ForgePad files: .forgepad
PDF scripts with selectable text
Final Draft files: .fdx and .fdxt
Fountain files: .fountain
Plain text: .txt and .text
RTF files
Word documents: .doc and .docx
HTML files: .html and .htm

PDF import details

PDF import is local.
It works best with PDFs that contain selectable text.
Scanned PDFs may not import correctly because they require OCR.
ForgePad shows a Review PDF Import screen with detected title page information, page count, imported blocks, flagged lines, and element-type guesses.
Users can correct flagged lines before creating a ForgePad document.

Output

Exporting and Printing

ForgePad can export:

PDFFountain

Export options include title page inclusion, US Letter or A4 paper size, and PDF revision marks. Export uses local, on-device processing.

Use File > Print or Command-P to print. Printing uses the current screenplay layout settings.

Local work

Files, Saving, and Autosave

ForgePad's native file format is .forgepad. A .forgepad file preserves screenplay text, title page details, character cards, location cards, beat sheet data, reports, poster data, table reads, editor state, screenplay layout settings, and revision state.

Core writing and saving are local-first. Autosave can be configured in Settings > Autosave. Autosaves are stored next to each saved script in a folder named like "Autosaves - Script Name". Autosave files use names like "Script-autosave-0001.forgepad".

Users can configure autosave interval, maximum autosave snapshots, undo levels, default paper size, and whether title pages are included by default.

Project details

Title Page and Script Info

Use the Title Page tab to edit title, author, contact details, and notes. Use the Info tab for logline, synopsis, script info scan, and poster-related details.

AI can generate a logline, synopsis, script info scan, and poster if the user has AI access.

Organization

Character and Location Cards

Character cards can store

Name
Role
Age range
Description
Arc
Profile / Backstory
Image prompt
Uploaded or AI-generated character image
Table read voice

Location cards can store

Name
Type
Time of day
Tone
Profile
Image prompt
Uploaded or AI-generated location image

Cards help with organization, reports, table reads, and character or location-specific AI tools.

Story structure

Beat Sheet

The Beat Sheet tab helps writers map story structure. Users can create story beats, ideas, act breaks, and links between beats.

Users can tidy the board, zoom in or out, reset zoom, move beats, rename act breaks, and open larger editors for beat details. Beat sheets are saved inside the .forgepad document.

Dialogue

Dialogue Lab

Dialogue Lab helps inspect character voice and dialogue scene by scene. It includes Scene Checks, Voice Audits, character selection, dialogue stats, longest line, repeated words and phrases, scene-by-scene dialogue lists, and jump/reveal controls to return to the relevant script line.

AI scan modes include

All IssuesOn-the-nose dialogueExpositionVoice mismatchSubtextTone driftOverwritten dialogue

Voice audits can generate a saved report for a character. If a character is detected in dialogue but does not yet have a card, ForgePad can create a character card so the report has a stable target.

Audio

Table Reads

ForgePad can generate scene table reads using narration and character voices when AI access is available.

Table read tools

Assign a narration voice for action lines, scene headings, shots, transitions, and other non-dialogue lines.
Assign cast voices to characters from their character cards.
Generate or regenerate a table read for a scene.
Draft performance directions.
Play, pause, stop, and scrub playback.
Download generated audio as MP3 or WAV.
Table reads are scene-based and saved with the project.

Built-in voices

AlloyAshBalladCedarCoralEchoFableMarinNovaOnyxSageShimmerVerse

Optional services

AI Features and Credits

ForgePad's core writing, editing, import, export, local files, beat sheets, and project tools do not require AI.

AI features require

Internet connection
ScriptForge account sign-in
Active ForgePad or ScriptForge subscription
Available ForgePad AI credits or Pro Writer fair-use access

AI features include

Full script report
Dialogue scan
Logline generation
Synopsis generation
Script info scan
Scene report
Character report
Character dialogue audit
Dialogue scene scan
Location report
Action line shortening
Character image generation
Location image generation
Poster generation
Table read direction drafting
Table read audio generation

ForgePad Standard includes 1,000 ForgePad AI credits per month. ForgePad Pro Writer includes unlimited in-product AI access subject to a monthly fair-use meter.

Example ForgePad AI credit costs
AI feature	Current example cost
Action line shorten	2 credits
Dialogue scene scan	5 credits
Script logline	10 credits
Script synopsis	20 credits
Scene report	25 credits
Location report	25 credits
Character report	35 credits
Dialogue scan	35 credits
Script info scan	40 credits
Character dialogue audit	40 credits
Full script report	100 credits
Character image	100 credits
Location image	100 credits
Poster image	100, 150, or 200 credits depending on quality

Credit costs and limits may change over time. The app's Subscription settings should be treated as the source of truth.

Account

ScriptForge Account, Subscriptions, and Billing

Users can sign in or create a ScriptForge account in Settings > Cloud. A ScriptForge account is needed for subscriptions, AI access, achievements, leaderboards, and cloud progress sync.

Subscriptions are shared between ForgePad and ScriptForge. ForgePad Standard includes ForgePad AI credits and ScriptForge Standard access. ForgePad Pro Writer includes Pro Writer access and broader AI use subject to fair use.

App Store subscriptions are managed by Apple. Users can restore purchases from Settings > Subscription. Cancellation and refunds are handled through the user's Apple ID / App Store subscription settings.

Writing habits

Progress, Goals, Achievements, and Leaderboards

ForgePad tracks writing progress locally. The Progress dashboard shows writing activity, words, focus time, personal goals, achievements, and leaderboard information.

Personal goals are private and worth 0 leaderboard points. Users can set personal goals in Settings > Goals:

Daily wordsWeekly wordsWeekly writing daysWeekly focus minutes

Signing in allows ForgePad to sync writing-day aggregates to the ScriptForge account. Achievements and leaderboards require sign-in. Leaderboards can show regional, country, and global rankings. Users can set a public leaderboard name, country, and region in Settings > Cloud.

Sessions

Collaboration

Collaboration requires signing in to a ScriptForge account. Users can start a private collaboration session from the Collaborate button.

ForgePad creates a temporary cloud session for the script and beat sheet. Cards, reports, table reads, and media are not included in collaboration mode.

The host receives a share code or invite code. Guests join using the collaboration session code. Collaboration is intended for private writing and review sessions.

Rewrites

Revision Mode and Reports

Revision Mode can mark revised blocks with a chosen color. Users can copy or export a revision report, include revision marks in PDF export, and clear revision marks when finished.

AI reports are saved by target: script, scene, character, or location. Reports can be viewed in the Reports tab, filtered, versioned, highlighted, deleted, or cleared.

Fixes

Troubleshooting

AI buttons are disabled.

Possible reasons

Offline
Not signed in
No active subscription
Out of credits
AI backend unavailable
Worker URL unavailable

Fix

Check your internet connection.
Sign in at Settings > Cloud.
Check Settings > Subscription.
Refresh subscription status.
Restore purchases if subscribed through the App Store.
Try signing out and back in.

PDF import missed lines or classified lines incorrectly.

Fix

Make sure the PDF has selectable text.
Use the Review PDF Import screen to correct flagged lines.
If the PDF is scanned, use OCR first or import from Final Draft, Fountain, or text if available.

I cannot find my saved script.

Fix

Check File > Open Recent.
Search for .forgepad files in Finder.
Check the folder where you last saved the script.
Check the autosave folder beside the saved script.

Restore Purchases does not work.

Fix

Sign in to the same ScriptForge account used for ForgePad.
Make sure you are using the Apple ID that bought the subscription.
Go to Settings > Subscription > Restore Purchases.
If it still fails, contact support with the App Store subscription status and account email.

Leaderboards or achievements are not updating.

Fix

Sign in at Settings > Cloud.
Click Sync Now.
Check your public leaderboard profile.
Make sure the app has internet access.
Wait briefly after syncing.

Table read generation fails.

Fix

Make sure AI access is active.
Try a shorter scene.
Check character voice assignments.
Regenerate the table read.
If it still fails, contact support with the scene length and error message.

Formatting looks wrong in export.

Fix

Check Settings > Formatting.
Confirm paper size: US Letter or A4.
Check title page inclusion.
Export again.
Reset to industry-standard margins if needed.

Answers

FAQs

Does ForgePad work offline?

Yes. Core writing, editing, local files, importing, exporting, printing, beat sheets, and project organization are local-first. AI, subscriptions, cloud progress sync, leaderboards, achievements, and collaboration require internet access.

Do I need a subscription to write in ForgePad?

No. Writing, editing, importing, exporting, and local project tools do not require a subscription. AI tools require an active ForgePad or ScriptForge subscription.

What file format should I use for my main project?

Use .forgepad if you want to preserve ForgePad-specific data such as cards, reports, beat sheets, table reads, poster history, layout settings, and revision state.

Can I export to Final Draft?

ForgePad currently exports PDF and Fountain. Fountain can often be used as an interchange format with other screenwriting apps.

Can ForgePad import Final Draft files?

Yes. ForgePad supports .fdx and .fdxt import.

Can ForgePad import PDFs?

Yes, if the PDF contains selectable text. Scanned PDFs may need OCR before import.

Where are autosaves stored?

Beside each saved script, inside a folder named "Autosaves - Script Name".

Can I customize screenplay margins?

Yes. Go to Settings > Formatting to adjust page margins and screenplay element indentation.

Can I show or hide page numbers and scene numbers?

Yes. Go to Settings > Formatting.

Can I use A4 paper?

Yes. ForgePad supports US Letter and A4 for export and print layout.

How do I make character cards?

Use the sidebar or the Create Character Card command. Character cards can store profile details, images, and table read voice settings.

How do I make location cards?

Use the sidebar or the Create Location Card command. Location cards can store type, time of day, tone, profile, image prompt, and image.

What is Dialogue Lab?

Dialogue Lab helps inspect character voice and dialogue by scene. It can show dialogue stats, repeated phrases, scene checks, and AI voice audits.

What are Table Reads?

Table Reads generate scene audio using narration and character voices. Users can assign voices, draft performance directions, play back the scene, and download MP3 or WAV audio.

Are AI reports saved?

Yes. Reports can be saved by script, scene, character, or location and viewed later in the Reports tab.

What are ForgePad AI credits?

Credits are used for AI features such as reports, scans, image generation, posters, and table reads. Standard users receive a monthly credit allowance. Pro Writer users have broader access subject to fair use.

Why do I need a ScriptForge account?

A ScriptForge account connects subscriptions, AI access, credits, achievements, leaderboards, and cloud progress sync.

Are personal goals public?

No. Personal goals are private and do not award leaderboard points.

What information is synced to leaderboards?

ForgePad syncs writing-day aggregates and leaderboard profile details when signed in. Local script writing remains local unless the user uses AI or collaboration features.

Does ForgePad upload my whole script automatically?

No. Core editing is local-first. Script content is sent to AI only when the user requests an AI feature, and collaboration sends the active script and beat sheet into a temporary collaboration session.

Can I collaborate with another writer?

Yes, collaboration sessions are available for signed-in users. Collaboration currently focuses on the script and beat sheet; cards, reports, table reads, and media stay outside collaboration mode.

How do I contact support?

Email support@scriptforgeapp.com with the ForgePad version, macOS version, steps to reproduce the issue, what you expected, what happened, and screenshots or files if you are comfortable sharing them.

Contact

Contact Support

Send a support request

Email support@scriptforgeapp.com or use this form to prepare an email draft.