Typewriter-inspired styles
Choose from the bundled typewriter-style font presets for a writing experience with a classic feel.
Release 1.0 · Freeware
A quieter place
to find your words.
The Writer’s Companion is a typewriter-inspired writing desk for Linux. It puts the focus back on the words, with a clean writing space, familiar typewriter styles and practical tools for everyday writing.
Free to use · Standalone desktop application · Designed for Linux
A place to write
Every story begins
with a single line.
Find your rhythm.
Follow the thought.
Keep writing.
The Writer’s Companion
with a single line.
Find your rhythm.
Follow the thought.
Keep writing.
The Writer’s Companion
Make room for the words
The idea
Writing first.
Distractions aside.
Built for writers who appreciate the directness of a typewriter and the convenience of a computer.
The Writer’s Companion is freeware developed for Linux. It is a standalone writing application with a typewriter-inspired interface, designed to offer a focused place to compose and save plain-text documents.
Choose a typewriter style, adjust the page settings to suit your work, and settle into the writing. The application is intentionally straightforward rather than a full-featured desktop publishing suite.
- Free to use
- Made for Linux; not packaged for Windows or macOS
- Plain-text writing with familiar file operations
- Bundled fonts and accompanying licence information
Made for the writing process
Simple tools. A familiar feel.
A practical set of controls to help you make the writing space your own.
Paper and margins
Select A4, Letter or Foolscap paper and adjust the available page and text settings.
Readable type size
Adjust typeface size and line spacing to suit your comfort and writing preferences.
Estimated page count
See the estimated current page and total pages in the status line without inserting page numbers into your text.
Optional sounds and night mode
Use optional sound feedback and night mode, along with controls such as the scrollbar and file path display.
Document safety features
Save and open documents, with autosave prompts and recovery/backup features to help protect your work.
Page count is an estimate, not an exact print-layout preview. Page numbers, headers, footers and page breaks are not inserted into saved text.
Get the software
Release 1.0 downloads
Start with the complete package, or download the core application ZIP and consult the documents separately.
The complete ZIP contains the application files, installer, bundled fonts and licences, plus a Documents subfolder with the installation command, user manual, installation guide, README and release notes.
Recommended for most users: download the complete package and keep the ZIP as your original copy.
RECOMMENDED
Complete Release 1.0 package
Application, installer and documentation in one archive.
Download complete ZIP ↓ZIPCore application ZIPApplication and installer packageTXTInstallation guideStep-by-step installation and locationsTXTUser manualFeature instructions and referenceTXTREADMEOverview, features and limitationsTXTTerminal installation commandCopy-and-paste command and installation pathsTXTRelease notesWhat Release 1.0 includes
Quick installation
Up and writing in a few steps.
Download the complete ZIP and save it in your Downloads folder. The command below extracts the package, enters the application folder, and runs the installer.
- Download the complete Release 1.0 ZIP.
- Save it in
~/Downloads. - Open a terminal and paste the command.
- Wait for the installer to finish.
This command is for the complete ZIP distributed on this page, which contains a wc_release subfolder.
LINUX TERMINAL
Copy and paste
Download the complete ZIP first, then run:
cd "$HOME/Downloads" && unzip -o writers_companion_v1.0_complete.zip -d writers_companion_v1.0_complete && cd writers_companion_v1.0_complete/wc_release && chmod +x install.sh && ./install.shThe ZIP must be in your Downloads folder and the archive name must match exactly.
Read the full installation guide →Know where things live
Your app and documents.
The application is installed separately from the folder where you keep your writing.
Application folder
~/Documents/Writers_Companion_App/Default writing documents
~/Documents/Writers_Companion/Downloaded release ZIP
~/Downloads/Package documentation
wc_release/Documents/The tilde (~) represents your Linux home folder. Follow any different paths explicitly reported by the installer.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is The Writer’s Companion free?
Yes. It is freeware and is offered for use at no charge.
Does it work on Windows or macOS?
This release is made for Linux only and is not packaged for Windows or macOS.
Does the page count exactly match printed pages?
No. The status-line page count is an estimate based on the writing view and settings. Actual pagination can differ when printed or laid out in another application.
Are page numbers inserted into my document?
No. The page count is displayed in the status line only. Page numbers are not inserted into the saved text.
Where should I save my writing?
The application’s default document folder is ~/Documents/Writers_Companion/. You can use the application’s Open and Save functions to work with your documents.
What is included in the complete ZIP?
The application, installer, bundled fonts and licence information, sound file, and documentation including the installation command, installation guide, user manual, README and release notes.