> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://bikeguide.hogbaysoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://bikeguide.hogbaysoftware.com/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

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Bike: Structured Focused Writing
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Bike is an outliner.&#x20;

Indent to create a structured outline. Fold this outline to hide details. Focus your outline to see specifics. Use your outline to track ideas, projects, writing, to-do lists.

#### To create a row

* Press the `Return` key to create a row

#### To change a row's indentation level

* Press the `Tab` key to indent a row
* Press `Shift-Tab` key to unindent a row

#### To show and hide detail in your outline

* Click a row's triangle handle to collapse the row, hiding its contained rows
* Click that same handle to expand the row, showing its contained rows

#### To focus into a specific part of your outline, hiding everything else

* Click the focus button to the right of a row's text.
* Click that same focus button to unfocus an already focused row.
* Use Go > Focus Heading… `Command-P` to focus any heading in your outline.

**To format text in your outline**

* Show the formatting popover with `Command-E`
* Select formatting options from the popover with your mouse or with the single letter keyboard shortcuts displayed on the panel.

That's it, just a few commands. Internalize these commands. *Learn the keyboard shortcuts*. Once you've done that Bike will be a great place for you to think.

Next I suggest you read:

* [Text Editing](/using-bike/text-editing.md)
* [Text Formatting](/using-bike/text-formatting.md)
* [Row Types](/using-bike/row-types.md)
* [Outline Editing](/using-bike/outline-editing.md)
* [Keyboard Shortcuts](/keyboard-shortcuts.md)