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Install Scribe

Scribe is available as a desktop application for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Check the Download page for the builds currently available for each operating system.

You do not need a paid plan to install Scribe — the Free plan is built into every download.

Step 1 — Download​

  1. Open the Catalpas Atelier download page.
  2. Find Scribe and, under Latest release, choose the operating system and processor that match your computer.
  3. Choose Download, then save the file to your usual Downloads folder.

Step 2 — Install​

Windows​

  1. Double-click Scribe-Setup-<version>.exe.
  2. If Windows shows a security warning, confirm that the installer came from the official Download page and that the product name is correct before following the on-screen options. Stop if the file details are unexpected.
  3. Pick Install for me only unless you administer the machine for other users.
  4. Launch Scribe from the Start menu when the installer finishes.

macOS​

  1. Open Scribe-<version>.dmg.
  2. Drag Catalpas Atelier Scribe.app into the Applications folder.
  3. If macOS blocks the first launch, confirm that the app came from the official Download page. Follow the message in System Settings > Privacy & Security or right-click the app and choose Open. Do not disable system security.
  4. After the first successful launch you can open Scribe normally from Launchpad or Spotlight.

Linux​

The Linux build is shipped as an AppImage so it runs on most distributions without installation:

  1. Mark the file executable: 
    chmod +x Scribe-<version>.AppImage
  2. Run it: 
    ./Scribe-<version>.AppImage
  3. If you want a menu shortcut, use the application-integration method recommended by your Linux desktop environment.

Step 3 — First launch​

When Scribe opens, the welcome screen offers two paths:

  • Open project — select an existing Scribe Project folder.
  • New project — in the system folder picker, create or select an empty folder. Scribe opens and initializes that folder as the Project.

Before you create or open a project for the first time, complete account registration and sign in. The next step walks you through it: Sign in.

Optional — install Ghostscript for colour and print PDF export​

Scribe uses Ghostscript, a free, open-source tool, for its colour and print-ready PDF exports. Ghostscript is not bundled with Scribe; you install it once, yourself, and Scribe detects it automatically.

You only need Ghostscript for the colour-managed export modes:

ExportNeeds Ghostscript?
RGB PDF (Plus)No — works out of the box.
Grayscale PDF (Plus)Yes
CMYK PDF (Pro)Yes
CMYK + ICC PDF (Pro)Yes

Everything else — writing, the live print preview, EPUB, Word, and RGB PDF export — works without it. If you never export a grayscale or CMYK PDF, you can skip this step. When a mode that needs Ghostscript is unavailable, Scribe shows an in-app install guide identical to the steps below.

note

For strict print-on-demand uploads (CMYK + ICC, PDF/X), install Ghostscript 10.05 or newer. Older versions still produce CMYK PDFs but cannot embed the PDF/X-4 / PDF/X-1a output intent some vendors require.

Windows​

  1. Open the official download page at ghostscript.com/releases.
  2. Download the Ghostscript for Windows (64-bit) installer.
  3. Run the installer and tick Add Ghostscript to PATH.
  4. Restart Scribe so it can detect Ghostscript.

Verify the install in Command Prompt:

gswin64c --version

macOS​

Homebrew is the recommended way to install Ghostscript:

brew install ghostscript

Restart Scribe, then verify:

gs --version

Linux​

Install Ghostscript with your distribution's package manager:

# Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt install ghostscript

# Fedora / RHEL
sudo dnf install ghostscript

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S ghostscript

Restart Scribe, then verify with gs --version.

Updating Scribe​

Scribe can check for updates and notify you when a new version is available. Depending on the operating system and version change, the update prompt may install and restart Scribe or direct you to the official Download page for a full installer.

You can also check manually under Help > Check for updates….

Uninstalling​

  • Windows — uninstall from Settings → Apps.
  • macOS — drag Catalpas Atelier Scribe.app from Applications to the Trash. Project folders are not affected.
  • Linux — delete the AppImage and any shortcut you created for it.

Your project folders remain untouched whichever method you choose; uninstalling Scribe does not delete your manuscripts.

If anything in this process fails, see Installation help for platform-specific troubleshooting.