hughhowey/neo

What is it?

Key features

• 01Stores each book as plain HTML chapters and JSON metadata on local disk
• 02Automatically numbers chapters and supports prologue and epilogue
• 03Index-card outline view for reordering chapters and scenes
• 04Darlings tab to remove passages without losing them
• 05Screenplay mode with Courier Prime formatting and Fountain/FDX import and export
• 06Exports to EPUB 3, DOCX, PDF, HTML, Markdown, and plain text

Use cases

• Drafting a novel in a distraction-free editor that formats the manuscript like a book
• Writing and reorganizing a series, omnibus, or story collection as one bound book
• Writing screenplays with industry-style formatting and Final Draft or Fountain export
• Keeping a writing project in local plain files with regular backups

Quick start

1. 1

   Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/hughhowey/neo.git
2. 2

   Enter the project folder

   cd neo
3. 3

   Install dependencies (requires Node.js)

   npm install
4. 4

   Start NEO

   npm start

Things to know

• !Pre-built installers are offered for macOS, Windows and Linux, but the README describes no Linux installer beyond AppImage with sandbox quirks on newer Ubuntu.
• !Cover art generation needs a paid OpenAI API key, at about a penny per picture.

Topics

FAQ

What is neo?

A free, local, distraction-free word processor for novelists that saves manuscripts as plain files and formats them like books as you write. NEO is a desktop word processor built specifically for writing books. It runs locally with no accounts or subscriptions, and each work is stored as readable HTML chapters and JSON metadata in a folder on your disk. The interface shows your library as a bookshelf with word-goal progress bars, and the editor numbers chapters automatically, supports prologues and epilogues, and sets drop caps at chapter openings.

Is neo free to use? What license does it have?

neo is open source under the MIT license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.

Is neo still maintained?

Actively maintained. The last commit to neo was on Oct 17, 2026.

What can I use neo for?

Drafting a novel in a distraction-free editor that formats the manuscript like a book Writing and reorganizing a series, omnibus, or story collection as one bound book Writing screenplays with industry-style formatting and Final Draft or Fountain export Keeping a writing project in local plain files with regular backups

How do I install neo?

Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/hughhowey/neo.git Enter the project folder: cd neo Install dependencies (requires Node.js): npm install Start NEO: npm start

Where can I get neo?

The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/hughhowey/neo