https://github.com/proteus-technologies-private-limited/opendraft
Open Draft - Free, open-source screenwriting software — a modern alternative to Final Draft. Professional screenplay formatting, real-time collaboration, beat boards, and version control. Desktop (macOS/Windows/Linux) & browser.
https://github.com/proteus-technologies-private-limited/opendraft
collaborative-writing fastapi final-draft-alternative fountain open-source python react rust screenplay-editor screenwriting screenwriting-software scriptwriting tauri typescript
Last synced: 3 months ago
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Open Draft - Free, open-source screenwriting software — a modern alternative to Final Draft. Professional screenplay formatting, real-time collaboration, beat boards, and version control. Desktop (macOS/Windows/Linux) & browser.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/proteus-technologies-private-limited/opendraft
- Owner: Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited
- License: mit
- Created: 2026-03-28T15:28:52.000Z (4 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-02T20:44:28.000Z (4 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-03T03:28:04.973Z (4 months ago)
- Topics: collaborative-writing, fastapi, final-draft-alternative, fountain, open-source, python, react, rust, screenplay-editor, screenwriting, screenwriting-software, scriptwriting, tauri, typescript
- Language: TypeScript
- Homepage: https://proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io/OpenDraft/user-manual/
- Size: 15.8 MB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 1
- Open Issues: 5
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Contributing: docs/CONTRIBUTING.md
- License: LICENSE
- Code of conduct: CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
OpenDraft
Write professional screenplays for free
No subscription. No cloud lock-in. Own your scripts forever.
No account needed. Opens in your browser in seconds.
Website •
Download •
Screenshots •
Features •
Compare
Professional screenplay formatting, planning, collaboration, and version history — all in one app.
Free forever •
Works 100% offline •
Your scripts never leave your machine •
Import from Final Draft in seconds
---
## Why OpenDraft?
Your script is your intellectual property. Cloud-based screenwriting tools store your work on corporate servers — where it can be mined, leaked, or used to train AI. OpenDraft keeps every word on your machine.
- **Never pay for your own words** — Free forever under the MIT license. No trial, no subscription, no feature gating.
- **Switch without starting over** — Import from Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain, or PDF. Export anytime. Your scripts are never locked in.
- **Write anywhere, even offline** — Desktop apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Mobile apps for iOS and Android. No internet required.
- **Collaborate when you want to** — Invite co-writers with a link. Real-time cursors and permissions. When the session ends, nothing stays on any server.
---
## Screenshots
Industry-standard screenplay formatting with scene navigator
Visual story planning with drag-and-drop index cards
Real-time collaboration — multiple writers editing simultaneously
Built-in version history with check-in, diff, and restore
---
## Features
**Screenplay Editor**
Industry-standard formatting with autocomplete for character names, scene headings, and transitions.
**Beat Board**
Plan your story visually with drag-and-drop index cards before you write a single page.
**Real-Time Collaboration**
Write with your partner simultaneously — live cursors, presence indicators, and edit/view permissions.
**Version History**
Check in drafts, compare versions side-by-side, and restore any previous draft instantly.
**Character Profiles**
Track characters with descriptions, role types, and color-coded highlighting in your script.
**Import & Export**
Move freely between Final Draft (.fdx), Fountain, and PDF — never locked into one tool.
**iOS & Android Apps**
Full-featured mobile apps with 100% of the desktop functionality — write, edit, and manage scripts on the go.
> See the [full feature list](docs/FEATURES.md) for scene navigator, spell check, search & replace, script notes, asset management, and more.
---
## Comparison
How does OpenDraft stack up against commercial screenwriting software?
| Feature | OpenDraft | Final Draft | WriterDuet | Fade In |
|---------|:---------:|:-----------:|:----------:|:-------:|
| **Price** | Free | $250 | Free / $12/mo | $80 |
| **Open Source** | Yes (MIT) | No | No | No |
| **Offline Desktop App** | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| **Real-time Collaboration** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| **Beat Board / Index Cards** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| **Version History with Diff** | Yes | Limited | Limited | Limited |
| **Self-Hostable** | Yes | No | No | No |
| **Linux Support** | Yes | No | Yes (paid) | Yes |
| **No Account Required** | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| **Privacy-First (No Tracking)** | Yes | No | No | No |
| **Character Profiles** | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| **Casting / Reference Images** | Yes | No | No | No |
| **iOS App** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| **Android App** | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| **Production Tags** | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| **Fountain Import/Export** | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| **Web Browser Access** | Yes | No | Yes | Limited |
| **Plugin Architecture** | Yes | No | No | No |
Comparison based on publicly available product information as of April 2026. If you spot an inaccuracy, please open an issue.
---
## Download
Get the latest version — no account required, just install and start writing. Most users are writing in under 2 minutes.
### Desktop
| Platform | Download |
|----------|----------|
| **macOS** (Apple Silicon) | [Download .dmg](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases/latest/download/OpenDraft_0.17.4_aarch64.dmg) |
| **macOS** (Intel) | [Download .dmg](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases/latest/download/OpenDraft_0.17.4_x64.dmg) |
| **Windows** (64-bit) | [Download .exe](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases/latest/download/OpenDraft_0.17.4_x64-setup.exe) |
| **Windows** (MSI) | [Download .msi](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases/latest/download/OpenDraft_0.17.4_x64_en-US.msi) |
| **Linux** (Debian/Ubuntu) | [Download .deb](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases/latest/download/OpenDraft_0.17.4_amd64.deb) |
| **Linux** (AppImage) | [Download .AppImage](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases/latest/download/OpenDraft_0.17.4_amd64.AppImage) |
| **Linux** (RPM/Fedora) | [Download .rpm](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases/latest/download/OpenDraft-0.17.4-1.x86_64.rpm) |
### Mobile
> The app is fully standalone — everything you need is bundled inside. No account, no setup.
For all versions and platforms, visit the [Releases](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/releases) page.
---
## Getting Started
New to OpenDraft? Here's everything you need:
- **Just want to try it?** [Open the demo](https://open-draft.com) — no account, no install, opens in seconds.
- **Ready to install?** Grab the [latest download](#download) for your platform.
- **Need a walkthrough?** Read the [User Manual](https://proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io/OpenDraft/user-manual/).
- **Want to learn more?** Visit the [OpenDraft website](https://proteus-technologies-private-limited.github.io/OpenDraft/).
- **Have a question?** Start a [Discussion](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/discussions) — the community is happy to help.
---
## Contributing
We welcome contributions from everyone! Whether you're fixing a typo, reporting a bug, or building a new feature — every contribution matters.
- **New here?** Check out issues labeled [`good first issue`](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/labels/good%20first%20issue).
- **Have a question?** Start a [Discussion](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/discussions).
- **Found a bug?** [Open an issue](https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft/issues/new/choose).
- **Want to contribute code?** See [docs/CONTRIBUTING.md](docs/CONTRIBUTING.md).
---
## For Developers
Tech Stack, Project Structure, and Development Setup
### Tech Stack
| Layer | Technology |
|-------|-----------|
| Frontend | React 19, TypeScript, Vite, TipTap editor |
| Backend | Python 3.12, FastAPI, Uvicorn |
| Desktop | Tauri 2 (Rust) with bundled Python backend |
| Collaboration | Hocuspocus WebSocket server, Yjs CRDT |
| State Management | Zustand |
| Version Control | Git (per-project, built-in) |
### Project Structure
```
OpenDraft/
├── frontend/ # React + TypeScript web UI
├── backend/ # FastAPI Python API server
├── collab-server/ # Real-time collaboration server (Node.js)
├── src-tauri/ # Tauri 2 desktop app shell (Rust)
├── docs/ # Documentation
├── images/ # Logos and assets
├── setup.sh # One-click browser setup script
├── build.sh # Web build script
└── build-desktop.sh # Desktop app build script
```
### Development
```bash
# Clone and install
git clone https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft.git
cd OpenDraft
# Backend
python3.12 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r backend/requirements.txt
# Frontend
cd frontend && npm install && cd ..
# Start development servers (in separate terminals)
./start_backend.sh # API server on http://localhost:8000
./start_frontend.sh # Dev server on http://localhost:5173
```
### Building Desktop App
```bash
./build-desktop.sh
# Output: src-tauri/target/release/bundle/
```
See [docs/desktop-build.md](docs/desktop-build.md) for detailed desktop build instructions.
### Run in Browser (Self-Hosted) — For Developers / Advanced Users
To run your own instance of OpenDraft in a browser:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/Proteus-Technologies-Private-Limited/OpenDraft.git
cd OpenDraft
./setup.sh
```
Installs dependencies, builds the app, and opens it at **http://localhost:8000**.
Requires Python 3.12+, Node.js 18+, and Git. See [docs/INSTALLATION.md](docs/INSTALLATION.md) for details.
> **Note:** This is for developers who want to self-host or contribute. If you just want to use OpenDraft, [download the desktop app](#download) or [try the demo](https://open-draft.com).
---
## License
OpenDraft is open-source software licensed under the [MIT License](LICENSE). Free to use, modify, and distribute.
---
Built by screenwriters and engineers at Proteus Technologies
Write screenplays, not subscriptions.
If OpenDraft helps your writing, a star on GitHub helps others discover it.