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Your First Project

Your First Project

With your account set up, you’re ready to create your first story project. plotTree offers two ways to get started.

Before You Start

Make sure you have:

  • ✅ Verified your email
  • ✅ Trial credits available (2,500 credits included automatically with your account)

Two Ways to Create Projects

Open the AI chat (right sidebar) and select the General tab. The General Assistant can:

  • Help you brainstorm and workshop your story idea
  • Ask clarifying questions about genre, tone, and scope
  • Guide you through choosing the right format, framework, and settings
  • Create the project for you using the createProjectTool

Best for:

  • Exploring ideas and need help deciding
  • Want guidance on choosing genres, frameworks, or formats
  • Prefer conversational project creation

Example conversation:

You: “I want to write a detective story set in space”

Assistant: “That sounds great! Let’s develop this together. A few questions:

  • What’s the tone? Hard-boiled noir or lighter mystery?
  • What’s the scope? Short story or full novel?
  • Is there a specific framework you’d like to use?”

The assistant will guide you through the options and create the project when you’re ready.

2. AI-Powered Form (For Clear Ideas)

If you already have a fleshed-out story concept, use the Create with AI button:

  1. Click “Create with AI” from the project switcher
  2. Describe your story in a natural language prompt
  3. AI generates all project details instantly (title, description, plot, genre, format, framework)
  4. Project is created and ready to use

Best for:

  • You have a clear story concept ready to go
  • You want to start immediately
  • You’re comfortable with AI inferring the details

Example prompt:

“A hard-boiled detective story set on a Mars colony in 2157. The protagonist is a former Earth cop who must solve a murder that threatens to expose a conspiracy involving the colony’s water supply.”

What Gets Created

Both methods create the same complete project structure:

  1. Project Container with all metadata
  2. PlotLine with framework structure (sections, milestones, transitions)
  3. Timeline visualization ready for scenes
  4. Story Vault ready for characters, locations, and items
  5. Project Settings fully configured and editable

Which Method Should I Use?

Use the General Assistant if:

  • You’re not sure which genre, format, or framework fits your story
  • You want to explore options and get guidance
  • You prefer an interactive, conversational approach
  • You’re new to plotTree and want help understanding the platform

Use the AI-Powered Form if:

  • You have a complete story concept ready
  • You know exactly what you want to write
  • You want the fastest path from idea to project
  • You’re comfortable reviewing and editing the generated details

Next Steps

After creating your project:

  1. Explore the Timeline: See your framework structure laid out visually
  2. Review Project Settings: Adjust any generated details
  3. Start Adding Scenes: Use the Project Assistant or Timeline UI to create scenes
  4. Build Your Vault: Add characters, locations, and items (or let AI detect them)

The Understanding the Dashboard guide explains all the sections and navigation.

Quick Tips

  • Both methods are equally valid—choose what feels comfortable
  • All project settings can be edited later in Project Settings
  • The General Assistant is always available in the right sidebar for guidance
  • Don’t overthink it—just pick a method and start creating!