WordCairn

Support

We read every message. WordCairn is new, so bug reports and ideas are especially welcome.

Email: support@gnuware.com
In the app: click Feedback at the bottom of the window. It opens a ready-to-send email in your mail app, and has a Copy button if no mail app is set up.
Please include your computer model, macOS or Windows version, WordCairn version (shown in the title bar) and what you were doing. We aim to reply within two business days.

Installing

  1. Open the downloaded .dmg and drag WordCairn into Applications. Don't run it from inside the disk image.
  2. Open it from Applications. macOS shows its usual "downloaded from the Internet" confirmation: click Open. WordCairn is signed and notarized by Apple, so there's no other warning.
  3. macOS may ask permission to read your Documents or Desktop folder, and to show notifications (for the evening reminder). Allow these so WordCairn can see your chapters.

There are three builds on the download page: one for Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and later), one for Intel Macs (both for macOS 11 or later), and a Windows 11 test build. If macOS says the app "can't be opened on this Mac", you downloaded the wrong one. Apple menu > About This Mac shows your chip.

Windows (test build)

Extract the downloaded .zip (right-click > Extract All) to a folder you keep, then run WordCairn.exe from there. The build isn't signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen may say "Windows protected your PC": click More info, then Run anyway. Your settings are stored in %APPDATA%\WordCairn\. The scheduled nightly snapshot and evening reminder are Mac-only features.

Common questions

"No chapter files found"

Choose the folder that directly holds your chapter files, not a folder above it. WordCairn reads files named like chap01-delivery.md (the default pattern is chap*.md) and doesn't look inside sub-folders. If your files are named differently, change the pattern in Settings > Chapter files: *.docx for Word files, *.txt, or * for every file WordCairn can read. WordCairn also suggests the folders that do contain chapters.

My Word, Scrivener or Pages files

Word (.docx), OpenDocument, Rich Text, plain text, HTML, LaTeX, TextPack and Scrivener projects (.scriv) are all supported. Apple Pages and Google Docs can't be read directly: in Pages choose File > Export To > Word; in Google Docs choose File > Download > Microsoft Word.

The nightly snapshot or evening reminder isn't running

Install these jobs from the copy of WordCairn that lives in Applications, because the job remembers the app's location. If you move the app later, open Settings, turn the jobs off, then on again. Use the Test button there to check them.

Where does WordCairn keep my data?

Snapshots and challenge data are small hidden files (names starting .wordcairn_) in the manuscript folder, next to your chapters. Your settings are in ~/Library/Application Support/WordCairn/. See the privacy page.

The numbers don't match my writing app's word count

Every program counts a little differently. WordCairn leaves out notes, comments, front matter, tracked deletions and (for Markdown) headings unless you choose to count them. The Help & About > Formats & counting page lists the exact rules for each file type.

I want to start over

Settings > Reset can reset your settings, clear the recent-folders list, erase one manuscript's snapshots and challenge, or all of it. Chapter files are never touched.

The mini counter won't open

Update to the latest version, which fixed this. If it still doesn't open, tell us your version and we'll look into it.

How do I uninstall it?

Quit WordCairn and drag it from Applications to the Trash. If you set up the nightly or reminder jobs, turn them off in Settings first. To remove your data too, delete ~/Library/Application Support/WordCairn/ and any .wordcairn_* files in your manuscript folders.

Updates

WordCairn doesn't update itself. New versions are posted on the What's new page and sent to your download email, and everyone who downloaded before December 1, 2026 gets all updates free. Install a new version by dragging it over the old one in Applications; your data stays where it is.

Orders and receipts

Purchases and downloads are handled by Lemon Squeezy. Your receipt email has a link to manage the order and re-download the file. If you can't find it, write to support@gnuware.com with the email address you used.