Introduction

Trelby is a lightweight yet powerful screenwriting application built specifically for writers who want to focus on storytelling without worrying about formatting details. Being open-source and completely free, it provides professional-grade tools without the cost barriers associated with commercial screenwriting software.

Key Features

Industry-Standard Formatting

Trelby automatically enforces screenplay formatting standards, ensuring your script is always industry-compliant. Writers can concentrate on dialogue and narrative while the software manages margins, spacing, and script conventions seamlessly.

Distraction-Free Interface

The interface is clean, minimal, and designed for long writing sessions. Unlike bloated software with too many buttons, Trelby provides just what a writer needs — a blank page, a structured outline, and intuitive controls. This helps you stay focused on your script rather than menus.

Multiple Viewing Modes

Trelby allows you to switch between different views such as draft mode, full script preview, and paginated view. These modes help writers visualize their work in the same way readers and producers will see it once exported.

Reports and Tools

The software includes built-in reporting tools like character statistics, dialogue distribution, and scene analysis. These insights allow writers to understand whether characters are balanced, dialogue is natural, and scenes are well-paced — all essential for improving script quality.

Export Options

Trelby supports professional PDF export with customizable options such as watermarks, headers, and formatting controls. Scripts can also be exported into plain text and formatted files, making it easy to collaborate with writers using different tools or platforms.

Cross-Platform Support

Available on Windows and Linux, Trelby ensures flexibility for writers regardless of their preferred operating system. With a simple installation process and minimal system requirements, it runs smoothly even on older hardware.

System Requirements

Trelby is designed to be lightweight, requiring as little as 2 GB of RAM and 100 MB disk space. Its minimal resource usage ensures that even writers with modest computers can use it without performance issues.

Use Cases

Trelby is perfect for aspiring screenwriters, students, educators, and independent filmmakers who need professional software without the high cost. It also serves as a great teaching tool in classrooms for introducing screenplay structure and formatting.

Conclusion

By combining simplicity, professional standards, and open-source flexibility, Trelby remains one of the best free screenwriting tools available. Whether you’re writing your first script or polishing a feature-length screenplay, Trelby provides everything you need to bring your story to life.