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The Intelligence of AI.
The Sanctuary of Privacy.

The first local-first studio for novelists. Bring your own key, own your IP, and write without distraction.

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Build v1.5.0 • Released Feb 01, 2026
Bouquine Interface

How to Join the Beta

Bouquine is a local-first writing studio. Your manuscript never leaves your device. The Muse (AI assistant) uses Meta Llama 3.3 70B via OpenRouter.

1. Request Beta Access

Fill out the quick form with your name, email, and platform. Takes 30 seconds.

Open Form

2. Get Your API Key

I'll email you within 24 hours with your pre-funded OpenRouter key and download links.

3. Install & Write

Download Bouquine, paste your key in Settings, and start writing. Your work stays 100% local.

📝 Beta Period Details

During this beta, I'm providing a pre-funded key for your tests. After we launch, Bouquine will remain a one-time purchase with no monthly fees. You'll simply plug in your own OpenRouter key and pay only for what you write (pennies per chapter). This keeps your data private and your costs as low as possible.

The Vault

Your manuscript never leaves your device. SQLite database. 100% Private.

100%

Infinite Context Memory

Standard AI forgets Chapter 1 by Chapter 10. Bouquine uses Vector Search to recall every detail.

Pro Export

DOCX, PDF, ePub. Standard Manuscript Format with automatic indentation and clean headers.

Synopsis Workshop

Stop staring at a blank page. Our guided wizard interviews you about your plot and builds a cohesive roadmap.

Download Bouquine

Choose your platform below. Bouquine is in private beta and not yet code-signed.

Mac (Apple Silicon) Mac (Intel) Windows

Installation Instructions

Follow these steps to bypass security warnings during installation.

Why the security warning?

Code-signing certificates cost $99/year (Apple) + $400/year (Microsoft). I chose to spend my budget on building features rather than certificates for this beta. Once we launch publicly, Bouquine will be fully signed and notarized.

macOS Installation (2 Minutes)

1. Download & Install

Drag Bouquine to Applications folder

2. Open Terminal

Press Cmd+Space, type "Terminal"

3. Run Command

Paste command below and press Enter

4. Launch

Open Bouquine from Applications

xattr -cr /Applications/Bouquine.app
Why is this needed?

Bouquine is in private beta and not yet notarized by Apple. This command removes the quarantine flag macOS adds to downloaded apps. Once we launch publicly with Apple Developer certification (~$99/year), this step won't be needed.

Windows Installation (1 Minute)

1. Download Installer

Download Bouquine-Setup.exe

2. Bypass SmartScreen

Click "More info" → "Run anyway"

3. Install & Launch

Follow installer, then open Bouquine

What You'll See:

  1. Double-click Bouquine-Setup.exe
  2. Windows shows: "Windows protected your PC"
  3. Click "More info" (small text link)
  4. Click "Run anyway" button
  5. Follow the installer wizard
  6. Launch Bouquine from Start Menu or Desktop
Why does Windows block it?

Bouquine isn't yet signed with a Microsoft code-signing certificate (~$400/year). Microsoft SmartScreen blocks unsigned apps by default. Once we exit beta and purchase a certificate, this warning will disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know to start using Bouquine effectively.

📚 Core Concepts

What is "The Muse"?
The Muse is your AI writing assistant powered by Meta Llama 3.3 70B Instruct via OpenRouter. It helps you generate prose, continue scenes, and get unstuck. The Muse has access to your entire project: characters, world bible, synopsis, and previous chapters. It remembers everything.

Model: meta-llama/llama-3.3-70b-instruct:free
Provider: OpenRouter
Context: 131,072 tokens (can process ~100,000 words at once)
What is the Synopsis Workshop?
The Synopsis Workshop is a guided wizard that interviews you about your story (protagonist, goal, conflict, ending). It then generates a cohesive 300-word synopsis to guide your writing. Perfect for beating blank-page paralysis.
What is the Style Guide?
The Style Guide teaches The Muse your unique writing voice. Click "Analyze My Voice" after writing 300+ words, and Bouquine will extract your tone, pacing, and style. The Muse will then write in YOUR voice, not generic AI prose.
What is the World Bible?
The World Bible stores your worldbuilding: magic systems, geography, history, factions, and lore. The Muse references this to ensure consistency (e.g., if you wrote "magic requires blood sacrifice," it won't generate scenes where magic is free).

✨ Features

What is the Plan view (Corkboard)?
The Corkboard is a visual planning mode. Each chapter appears as a card showing its title, status, and word count. Drag cards to reorder chapters. Click a card to jump to that chapter. Perfect for outlining before you write.
What does "Write Prose" do?
"Write Prose" asks The Muse to generate a full scene (500-1000 words) based on your chapter title, synopsis, and characters. Use it to draft quickly. You can then edit, rewrite, or expand the AI's output in your own voice.
What does "Generate Beat" do?
"Generate Beat" creates a short outline (3-5 bullet points) for what should happen in this chapter. Use it when you know the chapter's purpose but not the specific beats. The Muse analyzes your synopsis and suggests plot points.
What is the Research section?
The Research section stores external facts: historical details, scientific concepts, real-world references. Example: "Medieval siege weapons," "How poisons work," "Victorian etiquette." The Muse can reference these to ground your fiction in reality.
Why is Focus Mode important?
Focus Mode turns OFF all AI features. Use it when you want to write uninterrupted, without suggestions or autocomplete. It's your sacred "just me and the blank page" mode. No AI, no distractions, no internet required.
What is the Consistency Checker (Shield Icon)?
The Consistency Checker (shield icon in The Muse panel) scans your chapter for plot holes, continuity errors, and contradictions. Example: "In Chapter 2, Sara had blue eyes. In Chapter 5, you wrote brown eyes." It's your story's fact-checker.

⚙️ Technical

Does Bouquine work offline?
Yes! Writing, editing, characters, and worldbuilding all work 100% offline. You only need internet when using The Muse (AI features). Your manuscript is stored locally in a SQLite database.
How much does AI usage cost?
Beta testers: FREE. We provide OpenRouter API keys with access to Llama 3.3 70B's free tier. Rate limits are generous (sufficient for multiple chapters per day).

After beta: If you use your own API key and exceed OpenRouter's free tier, costs are approximately:
  • $0.30-0.60 USD per chapter (R5-10 ZAR)
  • $6-12 USD for a full 80,000-word novel
Most writers stay within the free tier. Bouquine takes no cut—you pay OpenRouter directly.
Where is my manuscript stored?
Your manuscript is stored in a local SQLite database on your device. Location:
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Bouquine/
Windows: C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Bouquine\
Nothing is sent to the cloud. Your work never leaves your machine.
Can I export to Word/PDF?
Yes! Click the "Export" button (top-right) to export your manuscript as:
  • DOCX (Microsoft Word)
  • PDF (formatted)
  • EPUB (e-book)
  • Markdown (.md)
  • Plain text (.txt)
Exports use Standard Manuscript Format with proper indentation and headers.
How do I get an OpenRouter API key?
For beta testers:
Fill out our beta access form. I'll email you a pre-configured OpenRouter API key within 24 hours.

Want to use your own key?
1. Sign up at openrouter.ai
2. Create an API key
3. Add $5-10 credit (optional—free tier is generous)
4. Paste the key in Bouquine Settings → API Key

Your key, your control, your privacy.
Can I use Bouquine completely free forever?
Yes! As long as you stay within OpenRouter's free tier limits for Llama 3.3 70B. For most writers (1-3 chapters per day), the free tier is sufficient. The only cost would be if you exceed rate limits and choose to add paid credits for unlimited access.

The Architect's Missions

Mission 01: The Memory Check

Task: Create a character in the Vault with a specific secret (e.g., "Allergic to silver"). Ask The Muse to write a dining scene.

Success: The AI refuses to let them touch the silverware.

Mission 02: The Mirror Test

Task: Write 300 words of your unique prose in Chapter 1. Go to Style Guide and click "✨ Analyze My Voice". Then ask The Muse to continue the story.

Success: The AI writes the next paragraph sounding exactly like you.

Mission 03: The Story Audit

Task: Intentionally write a plot hole (e.g., a character who is dead in the Synopsis appears in Chapter 3). Click the Shield Icon 🛡️ in The Muse.

Success: The AI catches the contradiction and flags it in the report.

Mission 04: The Professional Manuscript

Task: Click the Share button (top right) and select Export as PDF. Review the layout.

Success: A perfectly formatted manuscript with cover page, page numbers, and standard headers is generated instantly.

Why your voice matters

You aren't just a user; you are a co-architect of the final sanctuary.

Founding Status

Your name will be permanently etched in the "About" credits of Bouquine v1.0.

Free AI Access

Beta testers receive free OpenRouter API keys with access to The Muse. No cost, no limits during beta.

Lifetime Privilege

Early architects receive a 50% discount on future premium features, forever.

Direct Access

Skip the support queue. You have a direct line to the founding developers via Discord/Email.