Known limitations

An honest list for DunneWrite 0.22.

Platforms#

DunneWrite runs on macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows (x64), from the download page. The Windows installer is not yet code-signed, so Windows warns you before it runs. There is no Linux version. The AI features need a licence. See Installing on macOS and Installing on Windows.

Chapter chat quality depends on the model#

Chapter chat runs on Claude, Gemini or a local Ollama model. On a local model, how well it follows a long conversation depends on the model you pulled and on your computer. DunneWrite checks that the work fits the model before it starts.

Gemini runs can take up to 24 hours#

Gemini jobs run through Google's batch queue, which only promises to finish within 24 hours. In practice it is usually far quicker. You can close the page and come back; the run keeps going, and Cancel still works.

It doesn't write chapters for you#

DunneWrite hands you a brief to use with the AI of your choice, then checks what comes back. It does not generate your chapters. That is deliberate: the writing is yours.

Maps and the timeline need data#

The Globe, Frames, the Timeline and the Knowledge Graph are built from what your bible holds. On a new story, or one with few places and scenes, they will look empty or puzzling. Most characters in most stories cannot be placed on the Globe automatically, because scenes describe settings in sentences rather than naming places; the Movers tab exists to help you place them. See Maps and the timeline.

Opening an old story is one-way#

The first time a newer version opens a story made by an older one, it updates that story's file. This happens once and cannot be undone. Back up C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Roaming\dunnewrite before upgrading.

PDFs must be converted first#

DunneWrite reads text, not PDF. If you pick a .pdf, the app stops and tells you how to convert it rather than importing it. See Import a PDF.

Reporting a problem#

Nothing you can click will damage your files. If something looks wrong, a screenshot of the screen is the most useful thing you can send. Open a support ticket or contact us.