Script management

A script in Arthoff is an event scenario divided into sections and individual cues. You can maintain multiple versions, collaborate with a team in real time, and export finished material.

Creating a new script

Open the project and go to Scripts.

Click + New script.

Fill in the form:

Script name, for example “Act I – Opening scene”.
Description (optional), with details about this part of the event.
Script type such as Theatre, Conference, Concert, or Other. The type defines the default cue palette.
Expiration date (optional), useful for temporary or working versions.

Click Create script.

Tip

If you expect several versions of the same material, use descriptive names and descriptions so they are easy to distinguish.

Script structure

Every script contains:

Sections (acts), which divide the event into logical parts. A new script starts with a default section.
Cues, which are individual commands such as dialogue, lighting, audio, and stage movement.
Metadata, including title, description, version, authors, and tags.

The script view is divided into three main areas:

Sections and cue list on the left for navigation and structure.
Cue editor in the center for editing the selected cue or creating a new one.
Properties panel on the right for cue or section details.

Editing a script

Changing the name and description

In the script header, click the pencil icon ✎ next to the name or description.

Make the change and confirm it by clicking outside the field or pressing Enter.

Adding sections

At the bottom of the section list, click + Add section.

Enter a section name, for example “Act II”.

Optionally choose an identification color.

Confirm the new section.

Moving cues between sections

Drag a cue from the list and drop it onto the target section.
Or open the cue menu and choose … → Move to section.

Duplicating a script

In the project script list, open … → Duplicate next to the script.

Give the copy a new name, for example “Script v2 – director notes”.

The copy contains the sections, cues, and current cue states but becomes an independent script.

Real-time collaboration

Arthoff supports simultaneous editing by multiple users:

Presence indicators show where other users are working.
Changes are merged into the shared script state.
Short notifications can appear when cues are added, removed, or changed.

Note

If two people edit the same field at the same time, the latest committed change can win. Use comments or in-app communication to avoid editing the same field simultaneously.

Comments and discussions

Open a cue and select Comments.

Enter a comment and click Send.

Mention another member with @ and select them from the list.

Comments are available to project members who have sufficient access.

Resolved comments are hidden from the default view but remain available through the resolved-comments filter.

Version history and restore

The source documentation describes automatic history checkpoints as well as explicit saves.

In the editor, click the history/clock icon and open Version history.

Browse checkpoints with their date, time, and author.

Open a checkpoint to preview that state of the script.

Choose Restore this version to replace the current script with the selected version. Consider duplicating the current script first if you want an extra backup.

Exporting a script

Open the script menu and choose Export.

Select a format:

PDF for a printable cue and section view.
CSV for a tabular representation of cue fields.
JSON for the complete script structure and backups.
Plain Text for dialogue and stage directions without technical metadata.

Optionally include comments or restart numbering by section when the selected format supports it.

Click Export to download the result.

Importing a script

In the project script list, click Import script.

Select a JSON file previously exported from Arthoff. The source document describes Arthoff’s own JSON format as the supported import format.

Map fields if the import flow asks for it.

Click Import. A new script is created unless you explicitly choose to replace an existing one.

Note

Import replaces an existing script only when you explicitly choose the replacement option. The default behavior is to create a new script.

Deleting and archiving scripts

Archive removes a script from the active list while keeping it available for restoration.
Delete permanently removes the script and its associated cues, comments, and history.

Both actions are available from the script’s … menu.

Common scenarios

Scenario A: Theatre production

Create one project for the production.
Use separate scripts for major acts when that makes large cue sets easier to manage.
Use sections inside scripts for scenes.
Export a PDF before the dress rehearsal.

Scenario B: Conference with multiple speakers

Represent the agenda in one script.
Give each speaker a separate section and identification color.
Use presenter mode (/present) to advance through cues.
Export CSV after the event for reporting or analysis.

Scenario C: Concert with lighting and effects

Build the script mainly from lighting, audio, and effect-machine cues.
Use sections for songs.
During rehearsal, mark cues that need timing adjustments.
Export JSON after the concert as a reusable backup for future performances.

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