Character relationship maps are easier to read
People and relationship labels are less likely to overlap, making connections easier to follow.
Updates
New capabilities, usability improvements, and bug fixes.
Update history
A new sample project for new accounts
Explore and edit a manuscript, structured reference materials, and an example writing conversation.
Preview ruby readings while editing on the web
Check how the base text and reading look before saving, and reorder entries with a drag handle or the keyboard.
Edit ruby annotations in a list on the Web
Edit base text and readings side by side, and save unfinished rows and their order. Imported works also keep handoff information in ordinary reference documents.
External AI connection settings are easier to find
Open external AI connection settings from the Web user menu or the public website.
Older structured references can now be edited
Fixed some references saved in an older format so their fields appear and can be edited in the usual reference editor.
Fixed work remaining incomplete after a successful save
Fixed an issue where work could remain marked incomplete after the AI checked a reference destination again and saved it successfully.
Fixed a problem that prevented AI conversations from starting
Fixed missing settings that could stop AI responses, and clarified how the AI describes the manuscript or reference it is working on.
Choose settings consistently and keep Save in view
Web preferences now use consistent selection buttons. Save stays visible as you scroll, and hovering over manuscript tools shows their names.
Choose regional suggestions for your writing preferences
English-language projects now offer separate US, UK and Australian sets of questions and suggestions, while keeping your existing instructions and unchecked drafts when you switch.
Set writing preferences for each project and personalize AI replies
Set separate preferences for manuscripts, reference materials and AI conversations. Preferences now brings free-form instructions and optional personalization controls together in one place.
Continue AI conversations after a connection interruption
Replies now appear as they are generated, and saved answers can be recovered after reconnecting. If work pauses at an execution limit, you can see what remains and how to resume.
Keep longer AI conversations going and review edits
Long conversations are summarized when needed so you can continue in the same thread. On Web, you can see progress while this happens and review the passages the AI changed in your manuscript or references.
Link reference notes to related settings and manuscript sections
Check a character's hometown or revisit a scene from your reference notes. Link to references, individual entries, or manuscript sections in the same project, then return to where you were editing.
Choose which reference templates AI can use
AI now uses free-form Markdown by default when creating reference documents. Choose the templates you want it to use for character profiles, plots, and other notes in Preferences.
AI now receives an inventory of your saved references
At the start of a conversation request, AI receives the names and folder structure of saved references, including plots, character notes and images. This helps it locate relevant documents even when they do not appear in search results.
Improved how the AI follows story settings and scenarios
The AI now has clearer instructions to check source material when excerpts are incomplete and to preserve the settings, viewpoint, dialogue, and actions you have decided on while writing and revising.
Fixed the plan purchase confirmation screen and expanded AI reference context
Fixed an issue in the web app where the confirmation screen did not appear after selecting a plan. All plans, including Free, now let AI receive more information from reference materials at once.
Continue support conversations and draft work descriptions
The web app now keeps your support conversations together, with replies and file attachments. You can also generate a draft work description and keep your preferred change comparison view.
Choose whether badge celebrations play sound
You can now turn badge celebration sounds on or off in the web app. Badge lists and settings screens are also easier to scan.
Import your manuscripts and reference files, then keep writing
Create a new work from your files or folders in the web app. A migration guide with screenshots walks you through the process.
Clearer icons for writing actions
We updated icons in the web editor to better represent actions such as ruby annotations, text snippets, character counts, and adding material to an AI conversation.
More creative references for your writing assistant
We added 720 creative references and enabled the AI to find material relevant to the scene or expression you are discussing.
Improvements to AI reference organization and registration
We revised the AI's guidance to prefer suitable structured templates and simplified the announcement email setting at registration.
AI credits now follow a 90-day validity period
Newly granted AI credits are valid for 90 days. Additional App Store purchases remain non-expiring, and existing credits and earlier purchases keep their original terms.
Fixed repeated newline symbols in AI conversations
Fixed an issue in the web app where repeated newline symbols could appear in place of paragraphs, making AI replies difficult to read.
Fixed an issue that could prevent AI conversations from starting
We fixed an issue that could prevent a response from starting when beginning an AI conversation or retrying a failed response.
Updated badge rewards and guidance for starting a story
New badge rewards now range from 10 to 100 AI credits. We have also updated first-project guidance and the writing knowledge available to the AI.
More paid-plan AI credits, valid for three months
Light, Standard, and Pro keep their prices and gain more monthly AI credits, with three-month validity from issuance.
More precise edits to passages, reference rows, and images
Target one passage, row, or image slot, then ask about the changes saved during a completed AI reply.
More precise reference edits and saves from chat
Update a specific entry in a character reference and save text from a conversation without rewriting it.
Better support for long AI conversations and draft review
Improved access to earlier drafts and character requirements, handling of interrupted replies, and line breaks in chat.
Updated feature descriptions and screenshots
Explore 107 features with specific descriptions and real screenshots in Japanese and English.
Clearer app guidance on mobile browsers
App information now appears after you sign in, with an option to continue using the web version.
More reliable reference editing and progress totals
The web app now keeps your editing position and empty working rows more reliably, while the dashboard excludes the starter sample from your writing activity.
Watch the NovelShaft writing workflow in English
A new English walkthrough on the homepage shows how an idea becomes reference material, a plot, a draft, revisions, and a story ready to share.
A new page explains the ideas behind NovelShaft
Our new purpose page brings together our approach to creative culture, authors' decisions, AI, and building a lasting service.
Enjoy shared works with your preferred reading settings
The new reader supports horizontal and vertical text, author-supplied ruby readings, and read-aloud playback. Your browser remembers your display preferences and reading position.
Improved connection recovery and external AI connection status on the web
The web app checks service status when you return to the browser and makes external AI connection availability clearer in account settings.
Explore how external AI connections can support your writing
The MCP guide now includes writing examples, setup preparation, access details, and an explanation of costs.
Keep writing after an AI conversation on the web
The workspace now keeps your selected view after AI operations, with clearer reference views, project settings, and execution results.
Check payment methods before creating an account
A new page explains payment methods for Web purchases and in-app purchases on iPhone and iPad, with links from pricing and the footer.
Move from your first conversation to writing and organizing on the web
Share your starting point in one message, attach several references, and use voice input in manuscripts and reference materials.
Explore the mobile app and supported devices on a dedicated page
See what you can do on iPhone and iPad, how to use the same work on the web, and where to download the app. Android is being prepared for release.
Manage reading guides and writing instructions for each work
Manage pronunciations, writing guidance, and the passages shared with AI, while loading long manuscripts from the sections you need.
Improved identity verification before account deletion
When you need to sign in again, your confirmations are preserved so you can return to the final account deletion step.
Reference manuscripts and notes in an AI conversation
Select a passage, manuscript item, or reference and include it in an AI conversation with an editable reference tag.
Review AI changes and send feedback from the app
You can compare how AI changed manuscripts and references, and send a problem report or request from the screen you are using.
Optional usage analytics are no longer used in the web app
Registration, sign-in, and signed-in writing screens no longer use Google Analytics or other optional usage analytics.
Read-aloud tracking and screen readability are improved
You can follow the current manuscript position, use more accurate playback speeds, and choose the app-wide text size.
Writing workspace editing and AI responses are now easier to manage
You can undo or redo the whole work, listen to AI replies, safely retry reply-only requests, and follow what changed more easily.
We now prevent duplicate sign-ups with the same email address
When an email address is already registered through another sign-in method, NovelShaft prevents a second account and guides you to your original sign-in method.
Our contact email address has changed
NovelShaft's public contact address is now info@novelshaft.com. You can also continue to use the contact form.
Updated how AI allowance usage is calculated
AI allowance calculations now account for more of the usage reported by the AI provider and the rates for each type of processing.
Contact and privacy information are easier to follow
The contact page now focuses on sending inquiries, and the age requirement and privacy explanations are clearer.
Web USD prices now use whole-dollar amounts
Web USD prices now use whole-dollar amounts for easier comparison. Mobile shows each store's retail price.
Clarified Web and mobile store pricing
Pricing information now distinguishes the Web USD basis from the retail prices shown by each mobile store before purchase.
Add AI allowance on the Free plan
You can now purchase additional AI allowance on every plan, including Free, and reach the relevant options directly when your allowance runs out.
The feature guide now reflects the current NovelShaft
Explore 90 currently available capabilities by area, including the dashboard, visual assistance, publication, and sharing.
Clearer account deletion and authenticator setup
Fixed account deletions that could fail to complete, added clear identity and completion guidance, and clarified authenticator setup.
Clearer password requirements for email accounts
Email sign-up, reset, and password changes now show the exact requirements before submission and accept passwords from eight characters.
Fixed concept image generation and related controls
Concept images can now be generated and saved reliably, and issues with a lingering save overlay and unclear processing labels have been fixed.
Use diagrams and concept images in AI conversations
In the Web app, you can now add diagrams or concept images to an AI conversation, refine an image, and save selected results as reference material.
Compare plan differences before you sign up
The English site now shows how plans differ in available AI, reference capacity, response limits, and additional AI credits.
Easier settings and publishing on the web
You can review your usage in one place and fill in the information needed to publish a work with fewer repeated steps.
A clearer reading page and workspace sidebar
Published works now keep the focus on the text, while the web sidebar makes the current work and account actions easier to find.
Share your work with an improved reading page
Choose public or unlisted sharing and publish a snapshot of your work on a dedicated reading page, with new sharing controls and reading preferences.
Error recovery and Japanese text input are more reliable
Recovery guidance now makes it clear that reloading keeps saved work intact, and Japanese text composition is more reliable in manuscripts and reusable text snippets.
Creative assists and voice previews are now available in English
Authors writing in English can now explore a story's creative core with a dedicated assist, preview English narration voices, and review the same supported features as on the Japanese site.
A new dashboard makes writing progress easier to see
The new dashboard brings together 14 days of manuscript saves, writing goals, and recent works. We also refined account language, preferences, vertical writing, published works, and login.
The public site and Web app are now available in English
The English public site and Web app are now available, with consistent language selection across signed-out and signed-in screens, account emails, and settings. Author blocking has ended, while reporting remains available.
Improved vertical writing and on-screen guidance
We corrected Japanese vertical-writing order and refined cookie settings, search examples, project screens, and the public product tour.